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September 7, 2010Learning from Ameenah
I realized that my very elementary understanding of Islam wasn’t nearly enough.
TweetI was eating granola in my kitchen when I heard about the first plane. I was driving north on highway 287 in Colorado when I heard about the second. I was pulling into a parking spot when I heard the loud explosion while an NPR reporter was at the Pentagon. I was in the break room with stunned colleagues as we watched the towers fall.
Where were you on 9/11?
The moment you heard, you saw, you grasped what was really happening—it’s indelibly etched into your memory. It altered your view of our country’s “safety.” It gave you nightmares; it caused you to second-guess air travel. And it offered up a very ugly picture to be forever associated with Islam in the minds of many Americans.
Today there are more pictures. There are protests and counter-protests about an Islamic cultural center, slated to be built two blocks from ground zero. There’s talk of Christians publicly burning copies of the Q’ran. There are repeated claims that the President is really a Muslim in disguise. There are continual parades of new mug shots on the news of suspected terrorists—mostly all bearded, Muslim young men. There’s debate over torture and war and detainees.
Along with all these contentious issues is the increasingly virulent rhetoric over what Muslims believe. Some assert that Islam is a peaceful religion and that Allah is the same as the God of the Bible. Others contend that Islam is a violent, misogynistic religion.
So who’s right? What is Islam all about? What do Muslims really believe?
I was forced to face this question in a profoundly personal way when God brought “Ameenah” (not her real name) into our family’s life.
When I signed up to host an international college student at our home for a family meal a few times a semester, I felt excited and expectant. When I learned the student was from Saudi Arabia, my excitement became mingled with feelings of inadequacy. I was energized by the opportunity to share our family’s culture and Christian beliefs with Ameenah. I was also looking forward to learning more about Ameenah’s world and introducing my children to someone from a very different culture. But I also felt intimidated: I realized how painfully ignorant I was about Ameenah’s part of the world, her customs, and her Muslim beliefs.
Our meals with Ameenah were great. She was a wonderful girl who grew to feel comfortable with our family. She told us she was happy we were Christians because we “had morals” (unlike the partying and immodest behavior she regularly observed on campus). We started to find just a small patch of common ground.
But my time with Ameenah also confirmed my feelings of inadequacy. Though I knew the basics about Islam—the five pillars, their general beliefs about Jesus—the gaps in my knowledge became glaringly obvious to me. Ameenah spoke passionately about the Sunni/Shi’a divide in her country (she was Shi’a) while I nodded, realizing I had no idea what was so different about the two sects.
In America, Ameenah wore long sleeves, long skirts, and the hijab (headscarf). But when she showed me a picture of her family in Saudi Arabia, I was shocked to see Ameenah and all the women in her family covered head to toe in black burqas (including black gloves and socks).
And when Ameenah talked about Islam, I realized that my very elementary understanding of it wasn’t nearly enough. Where can I even start? How can I share Jesus with her if I don’t understand where she’s coming from?
Ameenah and I ended up having several conversations about Christianity and Islam; we both learned from each other. I don’t think Ameenah ever once considered Christianity for herself, but I do feel good about the chance we got to show her a Christian family in action. And I’m grateful for my feelings of inadequacy because they pushed me to learn a lot more about Islam.
When we interact with Muslim friends and neighbors, many of us can find some common ground, but we also come to a point when we realize how immense the gap is that divides us. We owe it to our friends to push beyond stereotypes made about Islam and to learn more about Islamic culture and beliefs. And as we do so, we become better equipped to share the truth of Jesus.
What about you? How have fears, stereotypes, or controversies in the news colored your understanding of Islam? How adequately prepared do you feel in your efforts to reach out to the Muslims in your community? What challenges have you faced? What successes have you experienced?
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Comments
I've learned to ask what a person's God is like. For example, when my friends say that we are all "worshiping the same God," I have to ask myself if the God of Islam is the "same God." Christians worship a triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so any god that isn't Jesus isn't the same God. The distinction matters so much. When Islamic friends say they worship "God," that means something very different to them. Asking what that God is like can open up a great conversation.
Posted By: LivewithFlair | September 7, 2010 6:44 PM
I wonder if any of you have actually read the Q'ran? If you want to know what Muslims really believe, you should. Because the Muslims I know are nice, peaceful people and my friends, I always viewed Islam as a peaceful religion. In reading the Q'ran I was shocked to see what fate awaits those who refuse to convert to Islam (not to mention the bizzarro version of heaven therein). Or read the life story of Mohammed by an unbiased writer. As Americans endeavor to preserve our country as peaceful and fair to all, we must accord Muslims the right to worship as they please; it's what God wants us to do. But in so doing,we must be careful not to lump all religions together in some new-age, fuzzy-brained, "it's all the same God", mentality. It isn't. And if you make the effort to do some research, you'll see why.
Posted By: Lulu | September 9, 2010 1:11 PM
I taught English as a second language as a volunteer for 4 years at a Baptist church here in America. (It was an outreach project for my local community, which has a great diversity of cultural backgrounds because of the military base here.) I had several Muslim students.
One class period, a Muslim asked about what it meant to have "Jesus in your heart" and "get saved"; you know, all the Christian jargon that we use but can't necessarily define. I fumbled for an answer, and not just because of the difficulty with defining the terms. There was a significant language barrier and cultural gap. Quick, try to describe salvation using no cliches, idioms or vocabulary that an intermediate-level English speaker wouldn't know. Interestingly enough, I got some help from two native Spanish speakers and I think we managed to give her some idea of what Christianity is really about.
Personally, I've known several Muslims through college classes, my teaching and in other ways, so I'm not terribly intimidated or afraid of them or listening to their beliefs or discussing mine with them.
Posted By: Laura Droege | September 9, 2010 4:28 PM
Wonder how many people know how many native born Americans (black, Caucasian, Hispanice, etc.) have converted to ISLAM. My younger brother converted to an esoteric branch of Islam while on a business trip to Indonesia (the country w/ the greatest Muslim population in the world). His daughter, my niece converted to Islam upon marrying a Moroccan whom she met while doing Peace Corps work in Africa. My nephew was made Muslin as a child when his father converted but converted back to Catholicism on marrying a Latino, whose family was from Mexico.
I intend to look for books on Islamic life, both in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Posted By: Chris Salomone | September 9, 2010 11:14 PM
Jesus never loved people because his goal was to convert them. He loved people because his goal was to love them.
Posted By: Sally Hanan | September 10, 2010 4:33 PM
My daughter is Muslim. When I first learned that she is muslim, I tried to win her back, but she is unwavering in her beliefs. I find it best to be a listening ear for her. She also has conflicts with muslims just as I have conflicts with how some people express their Christianity. I pray for her and hope that she sees Jesus for who He is before it is too late.
Posted By: Mary Ellen Groat | September 12, 2010 1:16 PM
As an Asian living in Asia, the Muslims who are my fellow countrymen are so different from those black burqa-wearing women, whose husbands may have more than one wife. Muslims here are so moderate in comparison and often are more gracious and gentle than Christians even. I think Americans need to understand that there many different types of Muslims and many of them aren't that different from the non-Muslims.
Posted By: Soulbiker | September 13, 2010 2:57 AM
I was hoping this article would share more about what Islam is really about. Does anyone know if there is one place to go to have at least the basics explained to me? There are tons of things to read which is great, but also confusing.
Posted By: Liz | September 13, 2010 11:40 AM
Liz, As resources, I recommend "The 10 Things You Need to Know About Islam" by Ron Rhodes and "Daughters of Islam, Building Bridges with Muslim Women" by Miriam Adeney. Also "Reasoning from Scriptures with Muslims" also by Ron Rhodes.
Kyria has this article on Islam: http://www.kyria.com/topics/spiritualformation/theologyspiritualissues/2.20.html
Also you might check out this website on sharing your faith with muslims: http://bible.org/seriespage/sharing-our-faith-muslims
Posted By: BJ Community Manager | September 13, 2010 1:24 PM
Liz,
I'd also recommend this great download on Islam from Kyria -- excellent articles and Bible study material. You can find it at http://todayschristianwomanstore.com/islam.html or click on "store" at Kyria.com and search the store for "Islam."
Posted By: Kelli Trujillo | September 13, 2010 2:38 PM
I just finished reading an article from a reputable source stating that: 1. The part of Q'ran written in Mohammed's early years speaks of peace. In his later years, the writing becomes violent with commands that abrogate his earlier writings. The Q'ran itself states that Muslims are to recognize that all later writings supercede earlier writings. Muslims are encouraged in the Q'ran to deceive Muslims wherever necessary in order to promote Islam. Can there be peaceful Muslims if they are obedient to the Q'ran. It would seem not. Perhaps there are 'nominal' Muslims as there are 'nominal' Christians. We do certainly need to educate ourselves and be aware of the dangers of this religion.
Posted By: Joan Henwood | September 14, 2010 1:31 PM
Correction to my last entry. Muslims are encouraged in the Q'ran to deceive NON Muslims wherever necessary in order to promote Islam. 2. The Q'ran is not just a religion. It is a political system. Shar'ia law is part of that system. The Q'ran states that the only way to peace is to bring every country under Shar'ia law.
Posted By: Joan henwood | September 14, 2010 1:34 PM
My dad, stepmom, brothers and sisters are still muslims. My mom and sisters went to a Revival meeting upon my invitation, and my sisters went to the altar and prayed to invite Jesus in their lives. I was part of a concert, including a "Play", and my parents went. They heard the gospel message in song, and testimony. They have always been peaceful, very kind, have many friends, and treat them kindly, as they fellowship together. They never argued about Christianity in my presence. In fact, I being separated from them living in another country, and being in contact, my dad would write me letters, stating that God always answered my prayers, and he knows God is with me and will continue to be with me. My dad went once a week to their gathering to pray. He was talking to God, before he died over fifteen years ago. I know God is merciful, and has seen his heart and God is the righteousness Judge. I am a Christian, and a minister of the gospel, and pray for these loved ones, friends, and for the non-Christians the world over. I trust God as I pray each day, that He will do the work that I cannot do to save souls. I had an opportunity to meet with them overseas, and read the Bible, prayed regularly with them while overseas. I know the seed of the Word of God is sown. I do pray with them over the phone when I call, and thank God they are receptive to that. From my knowledge, all muslims are not the same. There are those that are peaceful, and do not harm others; only they may be displeased with a relative if the person accepts Christ, but will still be in contact with them, and not harm them. I visited a cousin of mine and her large family. As I frequented the home, I told my testimony how Jesus has been blessing me, and some good things God had already done for me. Before I left the home, I would pray, and even invited them give me requests for which I would pray while in their midst. God began to move among them as they witnessed answered prayers. The son accepted Christ, then later on, the mom, and still later on, the dad (who used to say some "not so nice" things after I had left the house.). God allowed me to see my cousins (husband and wife, and son, live out their Christina lives, being active in a church, using their talents, and giving financially in a big way to do the Lord's work. The son is now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the U.S. A. To God be praised. When we cannot talk effectively to muslims about Chrit, we can intercede, and show God's love and the opportunity arises. Muslims who hurt people are the enmies of a loving Saviour, but as Jesus showed Judas His love, although Jesus knew Judas was a betrayer, He allowed Him to be among him, experienceing God's goodness, and witnessing the many miracles God did. No one will not be without witness, as we continue to be faithful in our commitment, and obedience to the Lord.
Posted By: Abigail Taylor | October 5, 2010 4:34 PM