Faith and Holiness, a lifestyle that inspires

Yesterday I took the bus to Muskat, Oman. Before the trip, a boy of about twelve sat in his father's seat and pretended to be the bus driver. As with most young people, he was fascinated with the radio. He treated us to prolonged channel surfing. The station he selected wasn't pop music, or even arabic groove. It was the Quoran being read aloud. He settled back in the seat, a beautiful look on his face, and closed his eyes to listen. I knew I was seeing the heart of a Believer.

Living in an Islamic country is an intriguing experience for me, as a "raised in the midwest Bible Belt American woman." I am, and plan to remain, a Christian. I don't belong to any specific denomination, but lean toward "spirit filled" beliefs. On my father's side are many generations of "old country Catholics" from Slovenia. On my mother's side at least five generations of "Praise the Lord and raise your hands" demonstrative and enthusiastic "Believers."

I am trying to establish to you, that my Christian roots run very deep.

Because I am about to tell you why I admire and respect Muslims, and Islam.

For a moment to forget what you see on the news, or hear preached from the pulpit. Much of it is propoganda, focused on radicals. Just as I don't associate with the Jim Jones, the Crusades, or KKK groups who call themselves "Christian," most muslims are far removed from the violent groups who get all the press.

Muslims live and breathe respect and love for Allah. In case you are not educated about who Allah is, he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some of his other names are: The First, The Last, The Omnipotent, The One, The Unique, The Giver of Life, The Truth-- sound familiar? Note to the truly uninformed: Mohammed is NOT one of the names of God. The Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) was a human prophet, like Moses. Muslims do not worship him, but they respect his teaching and consider his writings, the Quoran, to be a holy book of instruction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Islam

Muslims are taught that "The People of the Book" include Muslims, Jews, and Christians. They know that they are worshipping the same "Creator, the One and Living God" that the Jews and Christians worship.

It is the WAY that they worship that fascinates me. Five times a day, a loudspeaker announces the call to pray. Muslims may pray as many or few times that they choose, it is a personal decision that they do not seem to be pressured in any way to follow. Many only pray on Friday, the main service of the week. Before prayer, or entering a mosque, a place is provided remove your shoes and wash your hands and feet and mouth. It is disrespectful to enter God's house of prayer with shoes on. In taxis, malls, and even private vehicles, the stereo is turned down during prayers out of respect.

Prayer rugs and prayer beads are displayed without shame in the dash of a car or truck. Throughout conversations God is given respect. "Hamdullah" Thank the Lord. "Inshallah" The Lord Willing." "Bismallah" Lord Bless This Food. Respect and reverence, and the desire to accept God's will permeate daily life.

There are many churches in America. But how many of them would you feel comfortable stopping in to pray, without some type of introduction or connection? In the UAE, mosques are everywhere. Close enough, that if you wanted to be devout and pray five times a day, one is within walking distance. They are in every public building, and every mall. And ANY muslim is welcome to pray in whichever mosque is the closest to them at the moment.

I find it has brought me closer to God, to be reminded five time a day to pray. He is in the front of my thoughts, and my awe and respect for Him reinforced by daily interaction with those who worship Him.

Government officials, police officers, taxi drivers, shop owners, tourists, rich, poor-- all tied together with love and respect for their Creator.

It is beautiful.