Habibi: which means my beloved, or sweetheart. For several days, I witnessed my vice principal hug and touch and fondly address the boys in my class as "habibi." When I learned what it meant, I shuddered. This man would surely be arrested and thrown in jail for such a display. Isn’t it sad that this exact behavior would find an American administrator or teacher without a job?
Teaching in America I remember several occasions of freezing up in an awkward stance when a student would innocently reach out to give me a hug. It was always an internal war; I wanted these kids to know that I did care for them, but I didn’t want to potentially lose my job.
Even though as a woman, I was not allowed to hug the boys (haram), the vice principal extended an old-fashioned relationship with his habibis.
Teaching in America I remember several occasions of freezing up in an awkward stance when a student would innocently reach out to give me a hug. It was always an internal war; I wanted these kids to know that I did care for them, but I didn’t want to potentially lose my job.
Even though as a woman, I was not allowed to hug the boys (haram), the vice principal extended an old-fashioned relationship with his habibis.