Twenty-six years and a few days ago, according to the lunar calendar, I became a Muslim.
I didn't really know what I was doing at first. I studied Islam, and other religions, for five years before converting. But when the moment came, I just jumped in with both feet. And have never considered turning back.
Islam is the culmination of all my religious studies. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the last revealed message. I see other religions as stepping stones to this final and complete revelation.
Ramadan is always special. But for me, the 19th of Ramadan holds special meaning. That was the day I took the leap into Islam. And I have never looked back.
The story of the day I converted is posted at www.Islamonline.net. Click on the link "Shahadah in Ramadan" for my story.
With all the conflict in the world, some people find it hard to believe that Islam is the religion of peace. But it's true. On a global scale, and on a personal level. My life has been far from perfect these last twenty-six years. But I do have peace.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Walking the Walk
I've been quiet these last several days, with good reason. It's Ramadan.
I grew up as a Christian--a Lutheran, to be specific. My parents sent me to a parochial elementary school where I learned that one should be a good person, pray, be kind to others, remember God. Fine.
When I discovered Islam, I continued to be basically the same person I always was. Trying to be good, to be kind to others, praying, remembering God. But with an important difference.
As a Christian, I talked the talk. Now I'm walking.
Ramadan is the best time of year to illustrate the practicality of Islam. Many religious traditions recognize fasting as a desirable way to increase spirituality. Catholics and Buddhists fast. But Islam is the only religion which demands a full fasting, from food, water and sexual relations, from dawn to sunset for an entire month.
If I weren't a Muslim, I wouldn't fast. I wouldn't pray five times a day--many days, I wouldn't pray at all. I wouldn't remember God as much as I do now. I don't have the discipline.
Some people do. Monks, nuns and regular people who are so spiritually directed that they do not need any external prodding. I respect them for that.
But most people, like me, need a little extra encouragement to make us really practice our religion, even for one month out of the year.
And that's what is special about Ramadan.
I grew up as a Christian--a Lutheran, to be specific. My parents sent me to a parochial elementary school where I learned that one should be a good person, pray, be kind to others, remember God. Fine.
When I discovered Islam, I continued to be basically the same person I always was. Trying to be good, to be kind to others, praying, remembering God. But with an important difference.
As a Christian, I talked the talk. Now I'm walking.
Ramadan is the best time of year to illustrate the practicality of Islam. Many religious traditions recognize fasting as a desirable way to increase spirituality. Catholics and Buddhists fast. But Islam is the only religion which demands a full fasting, from food, water and sexual relations, from dawn to sunset for an entire month.
If I weren't a Muslim, I wouldn't fast. I wouldn't pray five times a day--many days, I wouldn't pray at all. I wouldn't remember God as much as I do now. I don't have the discipline.
Some people do. Monks, nuns and regular people who are so spiritually directed that they do not need any external prodding. I respect them for that.
But most people, like me, need a little extra encouragement to make us really practice our religion, even for one month out of the year.
And that's what is special about Ramadan.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Is Racism Universal?
I made a broad comment in my latest post, stating that racism is strictly an American problem.
I recognize that the comment was too broad. Now I would like to explain.
I know that prejudice of one type or another exists in nearly every society. My husband's aunt taught me that. "Tay" was a very special woman. Very sweet and gentle. She had no formal education, and she spent her life working to help the family and bring in the rice harvest in rural Thailand.
On the day I met "Tay", she took my hand and said, "Khow, khow." White. She had the naturally-brown skin of a Malay, and the naturally-formed rough brown skin of a farm laborer. She was impressed by my hands because they were the hands of the middle-class. White is good. White is rich enough not to have to work in the fields.
There are many examples of ethnic strife throughout the world. Most are politically- or economically-based. As in the case of my husband's aunt. White skin is better off. White skin doesn't perform manual labor.
But I have been a Muslim for over twenty-five years. And I can honestly say that racism does not exist in Islam.
That is not to say that racism does not exist among Muslims. Arabs discriminate against non-Arabs. Saudis think themselves better than Palestinians. A light-skinned South Asian may be more respected than a dark-skinned South Asian. Among those who don't know better.
But Islam does not recognize race. And I've been fortunate to meet a large number of Muslims who actively practice equality. Saying the prayers. Making the hajj. Shoulder to shoulder, with no distinction.
When racism does exist, in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world, it often has an economic base. The white man trying to hold on to his piece of the pie. Why do you think racism started in the first place? The white slave owner had to convince himself that he was doing God's work. The white soldier had to convince himself that God had given America the land from which he was evicting the Natives. And racism was a very convenient way for the rich white man to make sure the poor white man didn't turn on him. Imagine how different the history of this country would have been if the poor white man had allied himself with his darker brothers and sisters. The rich white man knew that.
I'm going to take a stab at religious "racism" too. The old Sunni v. Shiite, Protestant v. Catholic. These, too, are based in economics and politics. Religion is simply an excuse.
In my twenty-five years as a Muslim, I've never taken the time to categorize myself. I suppose I am a Sunni. As to further divisions, I don't even bother. It doesn't matter. As with all other divisions, the Sunni-Shiite thing is just one more distraction invented to take our minds away from what really matters.
For me, the worship of the one God, who created us all, is what matters.
What about you?
I recognize that the comment was too broad. Now I would like to explain.
I know that prejudice of one type or another exists in nearly every society. My husband's aunt taught me that. "Tay" was a very special woman. Very sweet and gentle. She had no formal education, and she spent her life working to help the family and bring in the rice harvest in rural Thailand.
On the day I met "Tay", she took my hand and said, "Khow, khow." White. She had the naturally-brown skin of a Malay, and the naturally-formed rough brown skin of a farm laborer. She was impressed by my hands because they were the hands of the middle-class. White is good. White is rich enough not to have to work in the fields.
There are many examples of ethnic strife throughout the world. Most are politically- or economically-based. As in the case of my husband's aunt. White skin is better off. White skin doesn't perform manual labor.
But I have been a Muslim for over twenty-five years. And I can honestly say that racism does not exist in Islam.
That is not to say that racism does not exist among Muslims. Arabs discriminate against non-Arabs. Saudis think themselves better than Palestinians. A light-skinned South Asian may be more respected than a dark-skinned South Asian. Among those who don't know better.
But Islam does not recognize race. And I've been fortunate to meet a large number of Muslims who actively practice equality. Saying the prayers. Making the hajj. Shoulder to shoulder, with no distinction.
When racism does exist, in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world, it often has an economic base. The white man trying to hold on to his piece of the pie. Why do you think racism started in the first place? The white slave owner had to convince himself that he was doing God's work. The white soldier had to convince himself that God had given America the land from which he was evicting the Natives. And racism was a very convenient way for the rich white man to make sure the poor white man didn't turn on him. Imagine how different the history of this country would have been if the poor white man had allied himself with his darker brothers and sisters. The rich white man knew that.
I'm going to take a stab at religious "racism" too. The old Sunni v. Shiite, Protestant v. Catholic. These, too, are based in economics and politics. Religion is simply an excuse.
In my twenty-five years as a Muslim, I've never taken the time to categorize myself. I suppose I am a Sunni. As to further divisions, I don't even bother. It doesn't matter. As with all other divisions, the Sunni-Shiite thing is just one more distraction invented to take our minds away from what really matters.
For me, the worship of the one God, who created us all, is what matters.
What about you?
Thursday, September 29, 2005
A question of race
When I think about racist attitudes, I like to remember how my grandmother handled racism.
She spent most of her life in a working-class, all-white neighborhood. As she became older, though, the family became more concerned about the growing crime rate where she lived and her daughters finally convinced her to move ten or fifteen miles across town to be closer to them. She was reluctant to move because the area where her daughters lived was integrated.
But she finally agreed. She found a nice little house, and the family got together to help her move in. More importantly, after the actually met some black people she completely changed her ideas about race. She was in her seventies, but not too old to learn something new about people. I've always been impressed by her change in attitude.
That was in the 1970s. Everything was changing. Some of us thought that we could bring racism to an end.
But now it's stronger than ever. I just read about the very unfortunate comment made by a radio talk show host. I won't repeat the comment. It was reprehensible. And very, very racist.
Why does this country have such a problem with race? It is not a universal problem. It is an American problem. And it's getting worse.
In the Qur'an, Allah said, "We have created you nations and tribes so that you may know each other, not that you may despise each other. The best of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous."
It's really is that simple. We are different. But the differences are not meant to overwhelm us. How boring would that be, anyway, if we were all alike?
And the best of any of us is he or she who is sincerely righteous.
She spent most of her life in a working-class, all-white neighborhood. As she became older, though, the family became more concerned about the growing crime rate where she lived and her daughters finally convinced her to move ten or fifteen miles across town to be closer to them. She was reluctant to move because the area where her daughters lived was integrated.
But she finally agreed. She found a nice little house, and the family got together to help her move in. More importantly, after the actually met some black people she completely changed her ideas about race. She was in her seventies, but not too old to learn something new about people. I've always been impressed by her change in attitude.
That was in the 1970s. Everything was changing. Some of us thought that we could bring racism to an end.
But now it's stronger than ever. I just read about the very unfortunate comment made by a radio talk show host. I won't repeat the comment. It was reprehensible. And very, very racist.
Why does this country have such a problem with race? It is not a universal problem. It is an American problem. And it's getting worse.
In the Qur'an, Allah said, "We have created you nations and tribes so that you may know each other, not that you may despise each other. The best of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous."
It's really is that simple. We are different. But the differences are not meant to overwhelm us. How boring would that be, anyway, if we were all alike?
And the best of any of us is he or she who is sincerely righteous.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Terrorism
Over the last few days I've seen more TV news reports about the threat of terrorism. Dark shadowy figures calling for the death of all Americans. Threats of violence and annihilation.
Meanwhile, terrorism seizes this nation on a daily basis. Child abuse. Spousal abuse. Drug abuse. Drive-by shootings. Workplace shootings. Road rage. Rape. Murder. Mayhem.
If I believed the official account, which I don't, then I would say that one terrorist attack committed by nineteen Arab men, four years ago, killed about three thousand people.
How many people have been victims of crime over the last four years? I don't have the statistics, but I would guess that it is much more than three thousand. In my city alone, the homicides for this year are nearing 100.
So who are the terrorists? Brown-skinned men who speak with accents? Or the quiet next-door neighbor who suddenly erupts and turns a gun on his family, his co-workers, himself. Women who wear scarves and pray five times a day? Or teenage girls who will do anything to support an addiction? Fathers and mothers who fast during the month of Ramadan? Or parents who beat and starve their children?
This country has many problems. International terrorism is the least of them.
Meanwhile, terrorism seizes this nation on a daily basis. Child abuse. Spousal abuse. Drug abuse. Drive-by shootings. Workplace shootings. Road rage. Rape. Murder. Mayhem.
If I believed the official account, which I don't, then I would say that one terrorist attack committed by nineteen Arab men, four years ago, killed about three thousand people.
How many people have been victims of crime over the last four years? I don't have the statistics, but I would guess that it is much more than three thousand. In my city alone, the homicides for this year are nearing 100.
So who are the terrorists? Brown-skinned men who speak with accents? Or the quiet next-door neighbor who suddenly erupts and turns a gun on his family, his co-workers, himself. Women who wear scarves and pray five times a day? Or teenage girls who will do anything to support an addiction? Fathers and mothers who fast during the month of Ramadan? Or parents who beat and starve their children?
This country has many problems. International terrorism is the least of them.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Pride
Like many Americans, I have been anxiously watching the progress of Hurricane Rita and praying for those who live in the path of the storm.
The hurricane is never far from my mind. I thought of it when I read the following verse in the Qur'an tonight:
"Before you We sent Messengers to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility." (6.42)
I don't intend to claim, as some have, that the hurricanes are punishment. This stance raises all sorts of ethical questions (Why would a loving God bring punishment against the poor?) which are far beyond my ability to address.
But I do look at the hurricanes as a reminder. A reminder to be humble.
The United States emerged from World War II as the undisputed leader of the world. By the time I was born, in the 50s, that standing had created a tremendous sense of pride. America was the first in everything, the best in everything, and Americans were the most fortunate people in the history of mankind. That was the message, anyway.
At times, there have been things to be proud of. A strong educational system. A good standard of living. Safety and security. There have also been things to be ashamed of. Laws defining people of color as second-class citizens. Enduring poverty. A war against Asians in the jungles and villages of their own country.
America is not the messiah of the world. It is not the only great power to ever have existed. But that was the message. And pride soon led to hubris.
It was hubris that sent American soldiers to conquer and dominate the people of Iraq. It is hubris every time the so-called president stresses the need to deliver democracy and Christianity to those poor brown-skinned people in other parts of the world. Sometimes at the point of a gun. In earlier days it was called the White Man's Burden.
Now America is being reminded of our weaknesses. We are not supermen. We are not gods. We are no better or worse than others who have lived before us, or those who share the planet with us now. We are humans. And we must remember the One Who created us.
It is not Mother Nature. It is the One God.
If we remember Him, and remember that we are accountable to Him, then I think we may have a way out of all this mess. But if we continue in our hubris, deeming ourselves as the creators and determiners of fate, then I think that this is only the beginning.
"A word to the wise is sufficient." Let's be wise, and be humble.
The hurricane is never far from my mind. I thought of it when I read the following verse in the Qur'an tonight:
"Before you We sent Messengers to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility." (6.42)
I don't intend to claim, as some have, that the hurricanes are punishment. This stance raises all sorts of ethical questions (Why would a loving God bring punishment against the poor?) which are far beyond my ability to address.
But I do look at the hurricanes as a reminder. A reminder to be humble.
The United States emerged from World War II as the undisputed leader of the world. By the time I was born, in the 50s, that standing had created a tremendous sense of pride. America was the first in everything, the best in everything, and Americans were the most fortunate people in the history of mankind. That was the message, anyway.
At times, there have been things to be proud of. A strong educational system. A good standard of living. Safety and security. There have also been things to be ashamed of. Laws defining people of color as second-class citizens. Enduring poverty. A war against Asians in the jungles and villages of their own country.
America is not the messiah of the world. It is not the only great power to ever have existed. But that was the message. And pride soon led to hubris.
It was hubris that sent American soldiers to conquer and dominate the people of Iraq. It is hubris every time the so-called president stresses the need to deliver democracy and Christianity to those poor brown-skinned people in other parts of the world. Sometimes at the point of a gun. In earlier days it was called the White Man's Burden.
Now America is being reminded of our weaknesses. We are not supermen. We are not gods. We are no better or worse than others who have lived before us, or those who share the planet with us now. We are humans. And we must remember the One Who created us.
It is not Mother Nature. It is the One God.
If we remember Him, and remember that we are accountable to Him, then I think we may have a way out of all this mess. But if we continue in our hubris, deeming ourselves as the creators and determiners of fate, then I think that this is only the beginning.
"A word to the wise is sufficient." Let's be wise, and be humble.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Through the Looking Glass
Often during the last four years I have been reminded of the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times."
I haven't posted for the last week or so because my life has been far too interesting. Between the fast pace of current events and my own daily struggle to teach middle schoolers, I have been far too befuddled to be able to put my thoughts together into a cohesive format.
But what got me today was something small. A mere footnote to the real drama of the world.
NASA is temporarily shut down because of the evacuation. NASA, the people who only last week were talking about missions to the moon and Mars. They can conquer space, but they can't continue operations on our own planet when unusual forces strike.
That's not all. While NASA is shut down, Russia will be running the international space station.
Russia?
I grew up during the Cold War. Arms race. Space race. Evil commies. Imminent nuclear attack.
Thirty years ago, who could have imagined that the U.S. would have to depend on Russia? For the continuation of the space program, of all things.
Like many others, I got tired of the Cold War. I didn't like always being on edge, waiting for the next shoe to drop. I think that's why we are all a little tired of hearing about the War on Terror. One on-going conflict per lifetime, please.
But the announcement from NASA has given me hope. Today's enemies, tomorrow's allies.
Who will the U.S. turn to thirty years from now? Iran?
I haven't posted for the last week or so because my life has been far too interesting. Between the fast pace of current events and my own daily struggle to teach middle schoolers, I have been far too befuddled to be able to put my thoughts together into a cohesive format.
But what got me today was something small. A mere footnote to the real drama of the world.
NASA is temporarily shut down because of the evacuation. NASA, the people who only last week were talking about missions to the moon and Mars. They can conquer space, but they can't continue operations on our own planet when unusual forces strike.
That's not all. While NASA is shut down, Russia will be running the international space station.
Russia?
I grew up during the Cold War. Arms race. Space race. Evil commies. Imminent nuclear attack.
Thirty years ago, who could have imagined that the U.S. would have to depend on Russia? For the continuation of the space program, of all things.
Like many others, I got tired of the Cold War. I didn't like always being on edge, waiting for the next shoe to drop. I think that's why we are all a little tired of hearing about the War on Terror. One on-going conflict per lifetime, please.
But the announcement from NASA has given me hope. Today's enemies, tomorrow's allies.
Who will the U.S. turn to thirty years from now? Iran?
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