I've had the honor of writing about Islam and the Middle East for the past year. I've had the chance to give my insight on certain commonly misunderstood topics. I've received many different responses to my columns - some good, some bad. But I have to say the sweetness of seeing your message penetrating people's hearts is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can receive.
I am thankful to Allah first and foremost and then to The Daily Reveille for allowing me this blessed opportunity.
Throughout the year, many people have approached me for various interviews, whether it is a radio station or just for an English paper. I've noticed a trend in some of the questions I've received; many of the interviewers ask the same questions. Naturally, I realized that these are questions many people have on their mind, so I decided to shed light on some of these questions:
1. What are some of the key differences between Islam and Christianity?
The biggest difference is the concept of the oneness of Allah (God). Muslims reject the concept of the trinity; they believe God is so far above having human qualities - he is the one who created mankind. They do not believe Jesus is divine. Muslims believe he was a holy prophet, who came with the same message as all the other prophets to worship God alone, not ascribing partners with him or saying he has children and to do good deeds as to enter paradise.
Another major difference is the concept of intermediaries. Muslims do not have to go through anyone in order to have their sins forgiven. It's a direct relationship between the servant and God. All a Muslim has to do is directly ask God to forgive your sins, and he or she will be forgiven. We do not go to priests for confession.
2. Do you ever feel like you are discriminated against?
I don't feel like I'm discriminated against on a day-to-day basis. For the most part, people are very kind. Sure, I attract attention with the way I'm dressed, but these types of things don't bother me in the least. One place where I do feel discriminated against is airports. Somehow, I'm always "randomly selected for search." Even Muslims directly in front of me in line and the ones directly behind me are mysteriously "randomly selected." I guess we naturally just beat the odds.
3. Do I feel that Islam overshadows my personality when people first meet me?
My religion shapes my personality. I love it that way. My life revolves around Islam, not the other way around. Islam teaches you to be kind to people, overlook their mistakes, give to charity, always smile (because even smiling to someone is a good deed and charity), never lie and always speak the good. Islam isn't just a religion - it's an all-encompassing way of life.
4. Your beliefs, to my limited knowledge, are different in that they require you to outwardly represent your religion in your manner of dress, etc. Many people, like Catholics or Baptists, can just sort of "turn it off" when their faith is not convenient. Do you think this unique characteristic is a hindrance or a help to you?
In Islam, we don't pick and chose what we want to obey or not obey. For instance, premarital sex is prohibited even in Christianity, but so many people just respond, "The times have changed." Islam, on the other hand, is for all times, so the practices they did over 1,400 years ago are the same ones we do today. It neither conflicts with our liaves nor presents great difficulty in adherence.
We try to follow the Qur'an and the way of the Prophet to the letter. How is it that one can know the truth yet reject it?
It doesn't work that way in Islam; we fully submit to Allah and humble ourselves to him. We are his slaves and to him we shall return. It's not a hindrance in the least - God's wisdom is infinite. Whatever commandments he has ordained, there is wisdom behind it, and it is for our own good and protection. The prohibition of alcohol in Islam is a perfect example. One does not even need to go into the wisdom behind this, because most people know all the evil and repercussions that follow the consumption of alcohol.
Furthermore, we simply do the things we do because God, the one who created us, told us to do so. So Muslims try to be grateful slaves to God, humbling and submitting ourselves to him alone.
----- Contact Shirien Elmasraya at selmasraya@lsureveille.com
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