I attended a patriot type meeting at which a lady friend, came up to discuss local politics, and what part religion might play. She was concerned about the zeal of some Christians, and how it might turn off Jews. This was her concern, but she had completely written-off Muslims. I thought she might be suffering from a bad case of Islamaphobia. I had never seen her this negative about anyone, as she regurgitated what she had been told about Muslims. So I asked her, “Have you ever known any Muslims?” Her answer was an emphatic “No!”
I explained to her that I have known about a dozen Muslims, and that I liked them all. I found them to be respectful, and easy to talk to. I realize that many people who hale from these local parts, may not know any Muslims. I also acknowledge that in any group of people, there are good and bad. The bad Muslims are being sold to the public, so I would like to introduce my Muslim friends.
The first Muslim I ever met was a dental patient who immigrated from Africa with his Peace Corps wife. He had a great sense of humor, was good natured, and deeply spiritual. He reportedly prayed five times a day, and was constantly in and out of different fasts. One day while doing his check-up, I found myself studying his living-out of his faith. I asked if he thought his God, that he called Allah, was the same as my God. His confident response sliced through our discussion, “God is unique!” “There is but one God for us to pray to. He is unique!”
My second Muslim acquaintance, was a man named Mohammad. He rented an apartment from me, for a couple of years, with his two friends, Mohammad and Mohammad. He was very soft spoken, and was never late with their rent. The Mohammads painted some of the rooms, and gave notice when they left. The apartment had never been so easy to keep.
My third association with a Muslim came in the streets of Calcutta, India. I had gone on pilgrimage with about sixteen guys to help Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity. We gathered at the front of a former Jesuit school where we stayed, to make our first journey to the Mother House. A bearded man with a white head wrap approached me. He mistook me as a priest, or the person in-charge. He spoke very good English, and said he was a butcher. I informed him that we were on a spiritual pilgrimage. He smiled, and asked if I knew what was the ultimate question that every person needs to answer?
I guessed, “Do you love God?” Do you love Allah?
“No!”, he countered, and stressed his question again. “What is the question that everyone from Adam, to the two of us standing here on this street in Calcutta, need to answer?”
Absent my answer he gave it: “Who is my Master?”
Why do we do, what we do? Who do we serve? Who is my master? I was challenged in the reality of my faith in the gutter of a Calcutta street, by a Muslim. (Luke 7:9 "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.")
My fourth Muslim acquaintance came out of my favorite place for my morning coffee, 7-11. There was a short guy ,who worked the morning shift. He didn’t talk much, but was very efficient. This was about the same time when hate-Muslim e-mails began to permeate the web. These often inaccurate e-mails irritated me, and I would often voice my complaints in the office. During one of my ventings, my assistant volunteered that she recently had a flat tire in a downpour, on her way to her daughter’s school. She said that a guy stopped, and changed the tire in the pouring rain, and would not take any money. He told her that he worked at the 7-11 and was Muslim. It was my 7-11 coffee maker. (Luke 10:37 He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy". Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.")
My wife and I attended a continuing education class for our computer system. It was an all day course and the class of about 25 decided that maybe we should send-out for pizza. I volunteered to go, and the guy who was sitting behind us bragging about his kids, offered to accompany me. We were all chipping-in, and he contributed for the lunch. When we returned, I noticed that he did not take any pizza. He told me he was Muslim, and was in the midst of a fast. I offered him his money back. He refused.
A couple years ago I gained three new patients of a husband, wife, and son who moved into the area. The son was a charming, polite kid, who loved to play soccer. In our conversation, I discovered that they were Muslim. With all the anti-Muslim hype, I cautioned the mom as she left from her last appointment, “Be careful!” Her beautiful dark eyes took-on a depth that was pure fear.
Lastly, in the most recent election that I participated in, I was invited to give a stump speech at the Baltimore Islamic Center in West Baltimore. All the politicians were well received. I was amused to see Neo-Cons, who had previously attacked me for being soft on “Islamic fascism”, because I was against Iraq and Afghan war. They were hob-nobbing with this room full of Muslims. One very distinguished doctor from the Center, spoke with clarity and directness. He said we do not want you to change your laws. He spoke with an urgency and seriousness that hinted of accusations that are unfounded. I liked him.
When I returned home from the patriot meeting I found this post on facebook. Hate Comes to Orange County.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM
If we begin attacking Muslims, who will be next?
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