Needing patience - Reminding everyone to be kind

Comment

Comment by Sabriyah Fatimah on August 20, 2010 at 4:10pm

Thanks Julie. I agree we as a nation need to move on. Muslims also died on 9/11- some trying to save the lives of others. I have an American Muslim friend whose birthday is on 9/11. She said- I feel like I can never celebrate my birthday again (at least not publicly).
I also am ashamed of people who carry out atrocities and say they are Muslim. Real Muslims don't do that! I just had to deal with this on the facebook page of Not in Our Town by someone who felt that discrimination is wrong except in the case of Muslims. Either something is wrong or it isn't!

Comment by Julie on August 20, 2010 at 3:19pm

Although 9/11 was a horrific day in our history, I wish we could all just move on. I really dislike rehashing it every year, like re-opening an old would. I mean no disrespect to those who died or those brave souls who died later trying to help the victims. I was proud at the way our country banded together in a time of grief but I think we need to celebrate the accomplishments and the good things in history, not the pain.
being so near 9/11 and it's sad that people will view the celebrations as anti-America. Plus, there is the controversy about the mosque being built near ground zero. Not to mention that there is so much right-wing rhetoric now about president obama being muslim with a secret agenda. Believe it or not, it is a difficult time for non-Muslims like us who see the injustice and try to stand with those good people of the Muslim faith, with all good people of faith. It should be enough... to just be a good person of any color, race or religion.*sigh* We can only keep the dream alive by reaching out to each other. Just know that there are many who try to understand and to educate others about the fact that the real Muslim faith and the current culture of terrorism are totally separate entities. I'm a Catholic and if you look at the history of our church, the first church of Christ, and see the atrocities carried out by the radicals of the faith, there is much to be ashamed of. I am not ashamed, as a person strong in my own faith- to attend services with friends at other churches, temples or even a mosque if I was invited. Sharing culture and tradiditons is what makes America great. I sincerely hope you will continue to share your culture with us when you are here. May your Eid be joyful after the fasting!

Comment by Sabriyah Fatimah on August 20, 2010 at 2:38pm

I will be back teaching at the school in Sharjah before 9/11, but my son and mother will be here. It will come on Saturday, one or two days after our biggest holiday, Eid al Fitr. People will want to go out with their families and celebrate the end of the fasting month, but I am afraid people will not understand, think they are celebrating 9/11 and attack them. (Our holidays fall backwards through the year because we have a lunar calendar. Next year it will fall at the beginning of September.) I wish more people felt like you all.

Comment by Julie on August 20, 2010 at 1:29pm

Sabriyah,
It is so sad that you have to endure taunts and criticism. I'm happy that you feel you can vent those frustrations here at the giving Challenge, where I'm sure you know the people are all of a kind and caring heart. In this country of great freedom we have gone so far in the other direction. What was once a melting pot where we could blend together is now a political hotbed of individuals struggling to draw lines and point to differences...each side sure they are the best. Fear and ignorance, fueled by our multi-media culture, cause the weak to be led into hateful things. Governments, politicians, rules and wars will never solve the real problem.. that we are all humans sharing this earth and that there is enough for all if we would only share.
That said, we are all too human and have very real fears about many things in life. Even those of us who profess to be non-judgemental or non-discriminatory have inner fears borne of our upbringing and life experiences and we struggle to keep them at bay with rational thoughts. I can only pray that those who turn from you are doing so out of some inner fear for something they do not understand, rather than from deliberate hatred. Pray for their ignorance.
Don't give up on the rest of us! There are truly more kind and accepting people in this country than those who trade in hate-mongering. Most of us would not only treat you as our friend and neighbor, but would stand against those who sought to threaten you or make you feel unwelcome! Your life experiences have made you a kind and compassionate person. The lessons are hard but you came out the winner by being a better human being than those who would demean you. I pray that you will feel a more welcome spirit in your life and that your journey of giving will help to change those small minds by showing what a unique treasure you are to our American family tree!

Comment by Mary Johnson on August 20, 2010 at 9:11am

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. We are all God's children and he loves us all as we should love each other.

Please have patience with America - she is a very young country compared to others, and was originally founded as a Christian nation. Additionally, the wounds from the 9/11 attacks are still fresh, with another anniversary soon approaching.

President Obama received great criticism for his statement that American is no longer a Christian nation. I was shocked at first, too. But I now understand what he said and it is true. It should be true! We are a nation of people free to worship any religion or spiritual path we are called to.

If we truly are a nation of the free, with religious freedoms, then, as a nation, we must loosen our strict religious ties to Christianity - it doesn't mean those of us who are Christians have to give up anything. We all need to respect all of God's children and have tolerance and patience with each other's differences.

Please forgive those who are still struggling with 9/11, with your clothing and with America's true purpose. Terrorists, like the Taliban, want nothing more than to divide us. We have to stop their divisive evil by getting to know each other, and working together with love and respect.

Continued Blessings, Sabriya. I'm so glad you're here, and thank you for your post.

Comment by lynne on August 19, 2010 at 7:47pm

It is unfortunate that you have to deal with such ignorant people. I hope this 29 gifts movement will convince some of those people to consider their actions and change their ways. Thank-you for reminding us how important it is to treat others as we would like to be treated.

Comment by Elly Rose on August 19, 2010 at 3:47pm

I am proud to include you as a cherished friend. Thanks for the reminder though, it is always important to respect the person, not their dress, religion or heritage.

Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on August 19, 2010 at 3:20pm

Well Sabriyah~ I would be proud to know you and to smile at you or hold the door for you! A person is a person no matter what to me~ I wish the world was like that too. It breaks my heart to see people treated cruelly.. It is not how we should be at all~ I am sorry you have to deal with this and I apologize for their rudeness. They should be ashamed of themselves~ xoxo