In this exclusive interview, Fatima Atsuko Hoshino, a Japanese woman who converted to Islam, shares her personal experiences and insights on the intersection of Islam and women’s rights. Her journey from a life immersed in Western consumerism to a dedicated Muslim woman offers a unique perspective on the misconceptions surrounding Islam and its treatment of women.
Read on for the exclusive report by Jahanbanou News Agency with Ms. Fatima Hoshino, a missionary of Islam; Part Two:
Islam and Women’s Rights
*Continuing your speech, I wanted to ask if you don’t think that Islam is in conflict with women’s rights?
The Significance of Blood Money in Islamic Law
On the contrary, Islam strongly supports women’s rights. Many non-Muslims believe that because the blood money of women is less than that of men in Islam, Islam does not value the lives of women. In fact, the value of a human life is never calculated with money.
The philosophy of the difference in the blood money of women and men is actually due to the protection of women.
Because the financial backing of a family depends on the man. It is the woman and the deceased family who receive the blood money. In fact, this is a kind of support for women and the family and in no way means that the value and status of men is higher.
Hijab: A Symbol of Empowerment
Or for example, about the issue of hijab. As I mentioned earlier, in my youth I had this problem that every day I felt that I was being consumed. I constantly spend money and am always looking for fashion and things like that. I thought that if I didn’t follow fashion and clothing, I wouldn’t be accepted and this caused me an inner problem.
For example, at first, I didn’t know what hijab was and I just obeyed God’s command to a Muslim that you should pray, fast in the month of Ramadan, and since you are a woman, you should wear hijab. But I didn’t know its function.
Over time, I realized what function this hijab has for us; that is, how much it brings respect and dignity to women and we can work in society without being harmed with this clothing and also maintain our own respect and this is also one of the signs that Islam supports women’s rights and in fact respects women.
Women are the real historians. Their educational role in the family is very important.
The Role of Women as Educators and Historians
*As a Muslim woman, what do you understand by the concept of resistance?
According to Islam, men and women differ more in physical and worldly matters, and in spiritual matters, women and men are equal before God and in this regard, women and men are no different. In Islam, women have an important position as educators and trainers of human beings.
There is a proverb that says women are the real historians. That is, because women educate both women and men, they have a very important role in society.
Women in Resistance: A Powerful Force
In resistance, women can be both on the front line and behind the front line, and that is why enemies try to first lead women astray. Because if women deviate from the right path, men will certainly be led astray as well. Because women play the role of a teacher in society.
The awakening of people leads to the understanding of the truth of Islam through the distinction between right and wrong.
*Given the recent events in Palestine and the Gaza war, what is the view of Japanese women towards Palestinian women?
Overall, people are much more aware now than before. In fact, I became acquainted with Islam and was guided towards it through September 11th, the great conspiracy against Islam and Muslims.
The Impact of Western Media
Currently, there’s a movement underway, and the enemy is doing everything in their power to destroy Islam. However, in reality, people are becoming more aware. People have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong and understand the truth of Islam more deeply.
Western media is constantly creating a negative and distorted image of Islam.
Distorted Perceptions of Islam
*In your opinion, what is the difference in the perspective of Western and Eastern media towards Palestinian women?
Unfortunately, the media in Japan and most non-Islamic countries in the East is under the influence of Western media.The same content that is broadcast in Western countries is exactly the same in other countries. In other words, it’s a direct translation of the same Western media, which is often creating a negative image of Islam and constantly engaging in black propaganda.
However, in the media of countries like Iran, the quality and content of the media are very different. For example, in the past few years when there was more news about ISIS, the Western media, including Japanese media, never mentioned Iran by name.
They pretended that all efforts for the people of Syria were being done by the Americans, and that the Americans were the saviors of the Palestinian people.
The media role of resistant women involves education and training.
The Role of Resistant Women in Media
*In your opinion, what is the most important message that women in the resistance, both in Hezbollah in Lebanon and in Palestine, convey to the world?
The role that women can play very well is the same role as that of Lady Zainab. She and the captives of Karbala, during the event of Ashura, played a media role, and this media role can even encompass the issue of education and training.
The university memories of “Born in Tokyo” are the path of guidance for a girl who has gone from the latest fashion and makeup to the pilgrimage of Arbaeen!
A Personal Journey of Guidance
*Mrs. Hoshino, can you also explain about the book you wrote?
Yes, in fact, I was the subject of the book. A few years ago, a book of my memoirs titled “Born in Tokyo” was published, and I think it has reached its 22nd or 23rd printing and has been very well-received.
“Born in Tokyo”: A Memoir of Transformation
The name of the book is “Born in Tokyo” even though I was born in another province of Japan. But when I was a student in Tokyo and converted to Islam there and was born as a Muslim, that’s why the name of the book is “Born in Tokyo”.
The Allure and Dangers of Western Consumerism
It actually starts with my university memories where I was always looking for the latest fashion, the newest makeup, and shopping malls and concerts. This book starts with my university memories and also passes through my childhood memories and explains the process of guidance, and ends with my memories of my first Arbaeen pilgrimage.
I participated in the Arbaeen pilgrimage for the first time in 2014 and was deeply affected.
The mirage of Western life is a dead end that leads a person away from the path of guidance, and this book is a lived experience to understand the pain of breaking the bones of a woman’s belief!
*Why did you decide to write the book?
Honestly, I wasn’t very keen on it; but many friends suggested to me that your story is very useful and life-saving for those who are influenced by Western media and cultural invasion.
Finding True Fulfillment in Islam
Because I came from a place that many people might aspire to migrate to. I experienced the Western lifestyle and I say the Western lifestyle is nothing but a mirage. In the end, I reached a dead end. I suffered and fell, and thank God I was able to get up and find the path of guidance.
Some people believe that we must experience things ourselves. However, human reason dictates that we learn from the experiences of others. As the saying goes, if we want to understand the pain of breaking a bone, we certainly don’t need to break our own bone.
We are very grateful to Ms. Fatima Atsuko Hoshino for participating in this interview.
It provides a valuable opportunity to learn about Islam from the perspective of a woman who has deeply embraced its teachings and experienced its transformative power.
Reporter: Faezeh Aghamohammadi