Twenty some years ago, a little 3-year-old girl left the country of her birth with one possession, her blanket. Think about this for a moment. Leaving the only home you have ever known, unable to take anything with you except a blanket.
I had a chance to speak with this accomplished young woman recently. Now in her 20's, she is a high school teacher working toward her doctorate. Listening to her and questioning her was an education in itself.
She and her parents left Bosnia during the war in the 90's. They lived in Germany for some time and were then able to come to the United States and eventually became citizens.
A little history lesson: between 1992 and 1995, over 100,000 deaths occurred during a genocide much like that in Hitler's Germany. Actually this conflict was more of an ethnic cleansing. The Bosnian-Serbs wanted control and that control included eliminating much of the Muslim population.
So what did I discover in my conversation.
I found that this young woman began a study of Islam during her teens and embraced it wholly when she was in her late teens. She prayed five times a day, followed dietary restrictions and was covered with a Hijab (covering of head and chest) when she went to her mosque. This was a time of spiritual fulfillment; however,...
Soon her parents feared for her safety and suggested she refrain from following this path. She stopped going to the mosque, praying and wearing a Hijab. And for now, she is okay with that.
My feeling is that this is so sad. In a country where our forefathers came for religious freedom, this young immigrant is fearful to live her beliefs. Some of you reading this are thinking, "It is Islam. No need for a religion of repression and terrorism." Read on because I also discovered some other interesting facts.
This talented and beautiful young woman talked to me about cultural traditions verses religious traditions. Many Middle Eastern nations have cultural restrictions for women that have virtually nothing to do with religion in any form. The Burqa (covers everything but eyes) is cultural not something the Quran requires. There is really nothing in the Quran that says a woman must cover all of her body. Modesty is the key.
I did some research as far as head covering and found that there are similarities in old Jewish traditions regarding head coverings. These are very similar to the Hijabs worn by many Muslim women. Similarly women were required to wear a head covering in Catholic churches during mass. I could go on and on but won't.
When we talked about what Islam teaches, she indicated it teaches basically the same thing that all religions teach: non-violence, goodness, and love. One God just many paths.
Of course, there are those who say they are Muslims who are terrorists. They kill, rape and plunder. These people are not Muslims. They interpret the Quran in a way that benefits their violent causes just as others of various faiths have done. Much of this is political manipulation and just plain insanity.
So why have I chosen this subject in a blog about mystical happenings and miracles? I feel it is important to explore that which is different, that which is unknown. How many people reading this really know what Islam teaches? Or Christianity? Or Judaism? Or Hinduism? or Buddhism? or......
I have a working understanding of many of these faiths. I enjoy discovering the nuances in each of them. The one unchanging aspect is they all affirm life. One must remember that almost all of these Holy Books were written many, many years ago. Many are historical in nature. Life was a lot different then.
I would like to challenge everyone reading this blog to read about a different faith, to attend a different church or synagogue or temple or mosque. Become friends with someone of a different faith, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation. You might just be surprised by the similarities.
Embrace The Unknown! Your life just might become bigger and bolder and more wonderfull than ever.
Peace and blessings,
Mareda
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