I am attempting to make a few posts on my interactions with religion. I run into religious people of all stripes every day. I want to post on these interactions to offset the notion that I somehow hate religion or religious people. Hate is such a harsh word. I have little hate in me. Most of my interactions are pleasant experiences.
Last Friday my wife had a desire for Persian food. We were not able to get a reservation at Darya, so we opted to compromise on food from the Muslim neighborhood in Anaheim. Our first choice was Kareem’s, but it was closed for Friday religious services. Our next choice was the always reliable Sahara Falafel. As usual, the food was great. It was the interaction with Islam that caught my attention.
The beat up old TV was showing Friday prayers from a mosque. I could not identify the language. There were several men seated and eating while watching. They gave me the normal once over when we walked in, but I felt welcome.
The owner/manager extend a heartfelt greeting and treated us like we were his best customers. He made a special effort to put me at ease. Again, I felt welcome.
The restaurant had a flyer promoting an anti-war demonstration. It’s understated claim was to stop the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine. It was the only flyer in the restaurant.
I watched the sermon while I ate. I did not understand a word. Nobody bothered me. Heck, few people even looked my way. Most were to preoccupied in their own business or in watching the sermon.
When we left, the manager/owner said, “Peace be with you”. He walked out of the restaurant as we left. He watched as we walked to my truck. I normally walk with a Buck knife handy, the place is not safe, it pays to be careful. The manager/owner was making sure we were getting to our vehicle safely. It was a nice touch.
I enjoy these types of experiences. I get a chance to learn about people and their cultures. But I have to be honest, I would have walked out if the Hour of Power were on the TV. I must have some bias.
Logging you in...
Rose Schwartz 35p · 839 weeks ago
(((Billy))) · 839 weeks ago
So what did you have for dinner?
Mojoey 107p · 839 weeks ago
fresh · 775 weeks ago
I am a young (now Muslim) women, born in Paris and living in Amsterdam. I am an emancipated women so to say, in Western sense of it'; I have studied and speak several languages....bla bla bla..
I am starting to get back to practicing Islam because I started to read more about it, because I was still search for the Truth within and because I started to THINK with my own brain and understand really what it is to be a Muslim and how should a REAL Muslim behave with everyone.
I must say I have been mistaken about many things because I relied too much on behaviors from SOME Muslims around me which I found profoundly wrong ( I recently came to discover that these behaviors are AGAINST Islamic principles )
It was very sad because all it did at the time was put me away from what for me represents the Truth.
I took me a long time of being lost in this is world and much pain for me to realize that I misunderstood it.
And even worse, I realized that as a so called Muslim, I was doing the same as those people I condemned - but on other instances, on other points & ways and I WAS NOT EVEN CONSCIOUS OF IT I wasn't a example of good Muslim either.
Anyway this to say that, they are very few people who really, truly, show the true face of Islam, simply because we cannot even become the grasp its Beauty and Power and Freedom behind it. So if you want to really make your opinion don't look at any random Muslim dude, and go and find out on your own.
Peace be upon you...
Fresh