Georgina Hook is a Deaf, Muslim woman, and mother to two adopted children. She converted to Islam twice – first for her husband and then again with renewed intentions and purpose.
Georgina shares her story of finding a community in Boorloo (Perth), meeting her second husband via a Muslim dating app, and the emotional moment her son Imran walked her down the aisle.
I initially converted to Islam for him (Georgina's first husband)... later I found out that it was the wrong purpose. I was supposed to convert for myself. So I went through the conversion again.Georgina Hook
Watch this episode of Humans of the Australian Deaf Community now on the channel or .
is the second series of Our Deaf Ways - a video podcast created by SBS and Deaf Australia for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing people who use Auslan, but we also invite hearing people to watch. The video portraits introduce you to the stories of Deaf people from different walks of life.
Series created by Paula Thornton, Deaf Australia.
Additional editing by Yifan Gan.
Deaf Australia and SBS acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are watching with us.
Deaf Australia and SBS celebrate Auslan and recognise all Deaf leaders in Australia who have advocated for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing communities. Deaf Australia is proud of everyone’s contribution, whether big or small, in preserving our language, community and culture.
Transcript
00:00:00
Hello! My name is Georgina Hook and I am from Boorloo (Perth).
I am Deaf and a mother of two adopted children. I am Muslim.
00:00:17
I was born in a country town called Kalgoorlie, in the goldfields of WA. When I was two years of age, my parents found out that I was Deaf. So, we all moved to the city, Perth. Perth had all the services that I needed such as a Deaf school, audiology services, speech therapy and more.
00:00:34
I grew up here from two years of age until I was twenty-three, then I moved to England. My plan was to stay there only for six months but I stayed there for twenty years!
I really enjoyed it over there, especially the Deaf community. That’s where I met my husband and through him, I discovered Islam.
00:01:02
I decided to study Islam and convert to Islam to become a Muslim. I then married him. I initially converted to Islam for him, six months later I found out that it was the wrong purpose. I was supposed to convert for myself. So I went through the conversion again, this time for myself.
00:01:19
So from that point on, everything that was connected, the way of life ahead was all about me, myself and what I thought was the best for me. It was not like this, where I had to think what my husband wanted, what he thought, what he said etc — it was all for me.
So it was all wrong the first time around, as I learnt more and realised that it was the wrong reason. Luckily I could read, well, it was a children’s book in simple English which was easy for me to follow and understand.
00:01:45
So from there, I became a Muslim again which he didn’t know. Our relationship was the same, it was just more for me with my intentions being different.
00:01:56
After eleven years of marriage, we had been trying to have children. So we looked into the option of adopting.
We were eligible and from that point on, it would take about one and a half to two years in process.
00:02:23
We adopted siblings from Pakistan, one girl and one boy. They were two years and six years of age at the time.
00:02:36
The first time you came to our house, what did it feel like for you?
00:02:41
Imran: I was nervous, very nervous. I was coming into a new big house, whereas my old house was small. Also, it was a new area for me to move into, the house smells were different — the curry scents. It was the first time I had smelt Asian cooking, as it was not something I was familiar with. I was more used to burgers and chips. It was interesting.
00:03:08
Now you like curries?
00:03:10
Imran: I love curries! I really love it!
00:03:15
It was a sad time when I had to separate from your father, but it was on good terms. We continued to be friends. It now has been ten years of being a single mother, looking after you both. I eventually met Rafiza, my current husband.
00:03:35
Imran: I was pleased for you, because for the last ten years, it has been a difficult journey looking after me and my sister. It was a lot of work. You were studying as well in England. It was a stressful period of time for you. You have raised us well, I am proud of you.
00:03:58
Aww, proud of me? Why?
00:04:01
Imran: You were studying in England. It was not easy, it was difficult for you. I remember seeing you working hard at nighttime. You were also playing netball. It was very busy for you.
00:04:16
You both were seeing what I was doing but at the same time you both enjoyed playing with friends.
Yes, there were a lot of events and I always brought you both along, but at the same time you both enjoyed playing with friends when I was at the netball games. It was brilliant.
00:04:28
Imran: It was a good experience, meeting more Deaf people, it was a good exposure to the Deaf community.
We had a busy life, and when we moved to Australia, you continued to be busy!
00:04:44
My current husband, he is hearing. My ex-husband was Deaf himself, so communication was smooth. With Rafiza, it is different but good. I thought communication would be tricky but it isn’t. I actually have the best of both languages.
In England, there are a lot of Muslim Deaf people. Here in Perth, there are a lot of Muslims, but not many Deaf Muslims. Maybe one or two, they may be still learning or not following Islam. That is okay, but it was difficult for me.
In Sydney, there are more Deaf Muslims, but not that many still. It is the same in Melbourne but here in Perth it is very different! There is nobody! So at the moment I am with all hearing Muslims, it is okay. I don’t have the same connection with them. I have accepted that it is the way it is.
00:05:35
Do you feel awkward that I met Rafiza through the Muslim app, online.
00:05:40
Imran: Yes, Muslima - Muslim app.
00:05:44
That worried you more because I hadn’t met him yet and were concerned about the fact he is from Malaysia. You were shocked that we decided that we would get married one year after first meeting.
00:06:00
Imran: I wasn’t shocked; I kind of expected it due to the religion. You had to follow the rules and I knew marriage was on the cards. What I didn’t expect was to give you away, walk with you.
00:06:12
Yes, to give me away.
00:06:14
Imran: This is because I don’t have a father; unfortunately, he has sadly since then passed away.
00:06:20
And I have you, my son.
00:06:22
Imran: I felt honoured, to walk down with you.
00:06:24
You were crying!
00:06:25
Imran: No, I wasn’t.
00:06:26
Yes, you were!
