The Baji

Just Say No Campaign

December 2005: LUUIS launches its Just Say No campaign to increase student awareness of the dangers of becoming addicted to the Islamic Society. "Once you Izoq, you just can't stop," explains Ruqqsy, who is now sucessfully recovering in the Exec Office upstairs in the Student Union. Support by close family and friends have been crucial in getting her life back.

"I never meant for things to turn out like this." She wipes away a tear and stares out of the window, recalling how it all began. "It all started when I was asked to sell tickets. How was I supposed to know what it would lead to? Someone comes up to you and says "Here, have a ticket." I thought one ticket wont do me any harm. It's only for some Charity Dinner, it's innocent. Before I knew it, I was dealing tickets out to people in my department. And after a while, I started getting into heavy selling; some days I'd find myself wondering up and down the Airport Lounge in the Worsley Building. I even started hanging around with medics. It got that bad."

It has taken Ruqsy months to detach herself from the ISOC. When asked what helped her through the withdrawal phase, she explained that staying away from her computer and avoiding anyone with facial hair helped her to forget her past life and focus on more important things, like Wayngroos and being Education Officer.

"I looked at people who were worse off than me, you know? I look at people like Baji; when I met her she had a full head of black hijab. Now all hre hijaabs have turned grey from stress. Subhanallah. I'm glad I have my life back. All that dealing and organising, it's just not good for your health. It has an impact on everyone. I want people to learn from my example, not make the same mistakes I did."

Another Muslimah who has fallen victim to ISOC - Ayeshah B - recalls how her addiction began. "It was the ISOC Summer Barbeque. One minute I'm eating kebabs, the next I'm buying and cooking them for 400. It happened so fast I didn't even realise I had gone onto the Dark Side. I just hope I find the strength to go back to leading a normal life again."

We attempted to interview Baji but she declined, saying she was too busy trying to figure out how to paint cream over aubergine and yellow in the kitchen, and still call it The Green Room.

posted by The Baji @ 1:18 PM