Maybe you have been to Muslim retail shops before, looking for decent Islamic clothing, only to be disappointed by either its lack of availability or by the poor quality and styles of what limited selection there is. Forced to buy from mainstream clothing outlets, you probably had to hunt around for quite a while to find anything remotely appropriate for a Muslim to wear. Muslim ladies undoubtedly know this problem all too well, but even the men have often been frustrated.
We at SHUKR believe that you deserve the opportunity to buy quality, stylish garments which meet the requirements of modesty which we abide by. For too long now, we have had to put up with poor standards of Islamic clothing or compromise with inappropriate secular fashion trends. SHUKR, dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, did something to change it. Our plan and aim was to serve the Muslim communities living in the West by providing quality, fashionable Islamic clothing which Muslims can wear with pride. And that's where our story begins…
At the start of the year 2000, we began the preliminary work and planning. We scoured the Muslim world for the beauty of traditional clothing which Muslims have been wearing for centuries. Then we looked at ways in which these items could be made more suitable for Muslims who no longer live in historical Muslim lands, but rather who have settled in the West, where their needs and tastes necessarily differ. Finally we looked at existing fashion trends in the West to see what was acceptable or pleasing from an Islamic perspective. All the while, we were in consultation and receiving feedback from the people who really matter – the Muslims in the West who would ultimately be wearing our clothing. The result of our efforts was the SHUKR Men's Wholesale Catalogue aimed at Muslim retailers, published in 2001, presenting handsome, dignified clothing designs aimed at the discerning Muslim man. The response to the catalogue was amazing and we were delighted that SHUKR received such a positive welcome. Many individual customers who visited our humble shop in Jordan or who purchased garments at Muslim events were equally impressed.
However, whilst many Muslim retailers took an interest in our styles and started stocking SHUKR clothing, we found that the number of quality Muslim clothing businesses were far and few between. Many excited customers bought our products at Islamic conventions and events, but when they told their friends about them, they didn't have the opportunity to buy our clothing because there were not any Muslim retailers close by. So SHUKR, at the beginning of 2002, decided to launch its own retail store in the form of an on-line shop selling direct to Muslims all over America, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere in the world, like Singapore, where people have taken an interest in our designs. In the meantime, due to popular demand, SHUKR has also designed and produced an exclusive collection of women's clothing – styles not simply restricted to the common jilbab, but also including blouses, skirts, dresses and many other wonderful styles that we hope you will enjoy.
You will notice that some of our styles are garments worn traditionally throughout various parts of the diverse Muslim world. The hooded Moroccan cloak is famous throughout North Africa and the Shalwar Kameez is an indispensable item for any Muslim from the Sub-Continent. SHUKR is happy to celebrate our Islamic heritage by reproducing such styles, albeit in a modified form more appropriate to the needs and tastes of Muslims living in the West.
However, in addition, it is SHUKR's aspiration to create a range of styles which are truly reflective of, and relevant to, the needs of Western Muslims. We want to create clothing of the highest standards, appropriate for the new cultural contexts which Muslims find themselves in. We aim to produce designs which identify ourselves as Muslims, but yet which are suitable to wear to school, college, and work, as well as to the mosque and Islamic events. We at SHUKR see this as a necessary development in our growing self-identity as Muslim Americans, Muslim Canadians, and Muslim Europeans. Whilst habits of dress are only one aspect of this growing and developing collective self-identity, it is an important aspect, because how one looks on the outside often reflects a lot about how one feels on the inside. SHUKR is proud to be able to serve the Muslims in this regard and encourages all Muslims to take an active part in this quest for Islamic authenticity in the new environments which we have been destined to live in.
What does the word Shukr mean?
Shukr is an Arabic word found in the Quran which means gratitude or thanks. Allah Most High says in the Quran, "If you give thanks, I shall certainly increase you" (Quran 14:7). As Muslims, we try our best to give thanks to our Lord for every blessing that He has bestowed upon us, blessings such as Allah's Being, for the religion of Islam which He has chosen for us, for the sending of our Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), for the blessings of having been granted life, obedience to Allah, health, and all the countless other gifts which He has bestowed upon us. The company SHUKR was named as a means of reminding ourselves and others of this important Quranic word and principle, in the hope that we might aspire to be among those whom Allah has increased because of their thanks and gratitude to Him.