Observer bias

Our estimation of the distance we covered can often be inaccurate; especially when our limbs have weakened, stomach rumbling, and the hopes and excitements for finding the 'legendary' Katedrala was slowly diminishing. At such a time, after (what we felt like) a long hour of walking, we stopped at, and were stopped by, a big shopping complex under the name Bosna Bank International (BBI). Being in the middle of the city's concentration, it easily stood out from the rest of its neighbours and surroundings. A concourse is spread and extended almost unrestrictedly before its entrance, inviting a massive crowd of shoppers to gather, break, and enjoy the fresh air before or after their needs are fulfilled.

We, the lost travelers, were among its benefitors. We might have refreshed our spiritual states at Alipašina džamija- which was something we appreciated and needed very much- but as Muslims we remain practical. Prayers won't change our dear future without effort, it won't bring about a map of Sarajevo in a piece of paper to us, it won't cause the sky to rain golds and diamonds, neither will it build a roof on top of us for shelter. At that time we needed to relieve ourselves, to answer the call of nature in an appropriate setting, if not luxurious. We needed some digression, and BBI shopping complex was the right place for that purpose.

Inside the building, there were throngs of people walking in an almost random, unregulated manner. As in other shopping complexes the noise was maximal, everyone was speaking at the top of his voice. I was looking, glancing and turning my head round to look for Bosnian women in hijab, but unfortunately it was a rarity. There were only two or three of them that I managed to get a glimpse on, and that was for the whole hour or so I spent in the complex. Often I was told and reminded over and over again by proud Bosnians in Mostar that in this city, Muslims account for more than 90% (many even said 99%) of the population. "So where is Islam? Is this as much as it can give me?" I tried to reason this, doing brain-storming to find for reasons or at least excuses.

In reality, it was almost Isha' time- about 9 o' clock in the night- and it was not fair for me to expect to see many Muslim women in hijab around this time, especially in such places. My family and I ourselves would only very very occassionally do so, when there is real need. Otherwise, we prefer to spend our time at home together as a happy family; reading hadith, discussing Qur'an, watching the news or family movies over dinner. We see it as a time of rest, after a long day of school and work. It is a time of togetherness, of love and understanding, and of smiles and laughters- a time I appreciate most in the many times I spent at home. It is a time of pure happiness for the whole family, a time much needed by every one of us without exception. Thank you Babah and Umi, for I wouldn't have grown up to be this same Safwan if we hadn't spent much time of this like.

Now I understood better on how biased can obersvations be, even if the observer tries very hard to be honest, critical and contemplative. I came here as a tourist, but that wasn't the whole picture. I couldn't help but bring with me the expectations I have on Bosna- in the way I hoped to see it as. In fact, these were very skewed, gathered only by limited exposure to this country's unlimited reserve of culture. It will be worse if I was not willing to learn from my own weaknesses, and continue to think that I'm making an infallible, unbiased judgement of a culture I hardly even know.

Start with asking around

In my journeys, I don't only like to take risks, but also creating them. A lot of my friends will not agree to this, and I respect their opinion and sometimes heed their advices. However, inside me, I have failed to extinguish this burning desire to grab whatever chances that pass by. In several circumstances, if none does, I will drag them to my feet. I believe in encounters and challenges. I believe in the amount of experience that comes with it. I believe in circumstantial learning and practical self-development. Because "we only get what we put in".

My life is a witness to this, although it is also the main fuel contributing to such attitude. At the age of 14, I taught myself to break the chains that have kept me from giving public speeches. A few years later I learnt to stand up for what I believe is right, paying the least attention to popular support. I was once labelled 'strange', when in fact I only did things other people are not yet brave enough to do. At times I was seen as 'unexpected', because I share my opinions with honesty what others still feel reserved to disclose.

It should therefore not be a great surprise for anyone in my company, that I like to ask around whenever there is opportunity- even if we're not exactly lost. It is also not uncommon for me to use every opportunity to create an opening, initiating a conversation between two strangers. So there I was, looking for Katedrala in an unfamiliar Sarajevo, stopping pedestrians and officials alike, asking for directions.

There was so much to learn, even in doing something as basic as asking for directions. An obvious gain would be that we could randomly- although not quite accurately- assess the availability of English as a language of communication. In a city like Sarajevo, which hosted Commonwealth games before I was even born, very well heard of to the world (although little do we know about it), some degree of prevalence of English would be useful. From another angle, quite oppositely, it is also rather easy to grasp and appreciate a community's pride for its own language, which is also a veritable reflection of their culture. Their attitude towards foreigners would also be transparent, and we could see how much or little effort would they put to ensuring our safe arrival- not to mention the different instructions we got! Such a simple thing to do, yet so many things revealed and disclosed, allowing some degree of familiarity in a relatively short span of time.

So if we are not ready to do anything else, let's start with asking around for directions. So little we give, yet so much we get!