Hello all:
Al-salam O’3alaikom wara7mat allah.

I woke up today, listening at the radio when I heard an interview done to the president of a religion youth committee. And what I learned was very touching and mostly appreciated.

I am a practicing Muslim in a western culture. Been here for over a year and a half, met heaps of people but very very few practiced anything. With that thought in my head I was able to answer many questions about the country and all the horrible things happening with in it. But to my surprise did I know that CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BEEN PRAYING 30 DAYS OF RAMADHAN FOR ALL MUSLIMS. And this ritual has been taking place for 12 years now. Statistics taken by this committee shows that 7 to 9 million Christians around the world participated in last years Ramadhan and they are hoping for more this year.

The reasoning the head of the committee gave to listeners explaining this commitment was that “We recognize that god loves the Muslims and the Muslim world, and because we love god we must love our fellow Muslim brothers to gain gods love, and that by praying with the Muslims for 30 days of their holly month which will take place on the 26th of October.”

** Listening to these words in a western country was very comforting, touching and rewarding. For me as a Muslim and for all my Muslim brothers out there.

The committee has and still is putting much effort in calling people to pray for us; meanwhile they are handing out booklets printed specially for this occasion to help those wanting to pray but are hazy. The booklet features a day by day prayer dedicated to each specific country. For example, day one prayers for Muslim in Cashmere, day thirteen Muslims in Palestine and so forth.

** Muslim brothers and sisters we should all be appreciative for what the Christian world is doing for us and we on the other hand should enhance this by doing a lot more prayers for us the Muslims and everyone else out there supporting us (Christians and others).

** I would like you to share with us your knowledge about the outside world and how do you see them helping/supporting Islam.

May god bless us all and keep our world in peace…………….
Wasalam O’3alaikom wara7mat allah .

This is both good and bad--good because there is an attempt to have a peaceful interaction with participation between two different religions; and bad because unfortunately, there is no reciprocation on the part of Muslims to do the same, like join in the relgious celebration of Christmas and Easter, for instance. If Muslims will show the same raprochment, then that would be good. Isn't it strange that it is Christians who are more open-minded than Muslims are? It reflects on how much tolerance has been done in the West, and how far Islam is still in this same issue.

Hello there:

I agree with what you are saying, but I don't see how it is bad?!?!

We sure don't have to participate in there religinal fastival but we can some how show them that we are in good terms with them.

As the spokes man said" THE MUSLIMS HATE CHRISTIANS" and I don't think that is true, we have Christians living in our homes......

That is true--we don't exactly have to participate in each other's religious activities. All we need is to respect the differences in each other's beliefs, something which I have rarely seen among Muslims who post in this forum (not the whole board, mind you, but just a select few here).

I know what you mean Milliardo , I met a lot of people who feel very bitter towards other religion and I really don't understand why??!!! :lost:

I totally agree with you, we should respect others by respecting there beliefs. And working to together, everyone in there own religion tube to make this world a better place to live in.

We are meant to be an educated generation and understand the difference each might have and be able to respect that.........but unfortunately a lot don't know where to draw the line and say too much that they get themselves in trouble.

No one has the right to force anything onto else one, especially when it comes to religion and beliefs. Even Islam explains about that.

We are all free and all have the right to choose and follow........
I really do hope the growing generation will be more of an open MIND then ours, I REALLY DO...........

Yours B.

Beautiful, you are just as your name is, and that is good. I hope there are many more like you here. You are a blessing to your religion.

MP ..

I dont know why do you insist that Islam has not tolarance. we have a clear verse in the Quran that everyone should practice thier religion freely.

I have been congratulating my friends, maids and evey christian for christmas for ages and so are many people in Oman!


there is a small number of people who are non-tolarant to other beleifes and I feel sorry for them. They are missing alot of knowledge in this world.

AP, I only take note of the people here on this board, not of most Muslims. I would like to think, though, that some of those here are not representative of your religion. Because if they are, then it does not do well for your belief. Beautiful shows us how it should be then, and I hope she represents more Muslims.

Thank you all for posting your thoughts, and all appreciated.

Princess don't upset yourself, Milliardo was very specific when he stated such a line.........And he is just talking from experience. He sure seems to be a wise man and do know his judgments.

I lived with all sorts of nationalities and religion, right from Americans, Italians, Israelis, Canadians and now Australians. As you can imagine, these families where Christians, Jewish and atheists. I have seen a lot since I was 13 years old and still seeing…………….

And the thing that I noticed long ago and can still witness [I thought just existed in the Arab world] is people who can’t appreciate others for who they are and what they believe in. “OH NO, I CAN BE YOUR FRIEND, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A MUSLIM”.
But as I grow up and traveled the world I came across people who are most educated, living in an advanced country. BUT YET HAD A NARROW MIND when it came to religions and beliefs.

** I am not talking about the people in this SABLA nor the people in Oman in particular, and I am sure that Milliardo is the same…………we are referring to those who fall within the category.

I’ll tell you a story, not long after my arrival to Brisbane [Australia] I down the city to explore. It was I, a friend who came from Oman too and a cousin. As we were walking down the busy city a man approached me and flicked out this set of cards that had a BIG SMILE on them all different color. He had a shirt saying “HELP THE CHILDREN”.

He then said: “which color would you like madam??”
I paused and asked him: “what is it for??”
He replied : ”It’s for charity that goes to the kids foundation, it’s $2 ”
I pulled my purse out and gave him $2 and took the sticker.

Meanwhile my girlfriend pulled my arm with rage and said with a very angry tone :” You should be giving your money out to the Muslim kids and NOT THERE KIDS”
I looked at her in shock , then replied: “I think children are children no matter where there from or what there religion is, NO KID DESERVES TO STARVE OR DIE OF ILLNESS AND HUNGER”. I was very very upset and disappointed to see such a grown lady, got all the way to Australia on a scholarship which tells me she is “BRIGHT” talk and say such a thing.

And one incedent after the other with one person and another makes you aware of peoples thoughts and lack of mature ness I should say.

I personally give money for kids every where, I don’t know if the money really ever gets to them but I do, because I know from what my religion taught me it’s the thought that counts.

Wasalam O’3alikom wa ra7mat alla

Yours B.

Beautiful, I like what you said here:

“I think children are children no matter where there from or what there religion is, NO KID DESERVES TO STARVE OR DIE OF ILLNESS AND HUNGER”.

That is very nice, and you should always be like that. It will be a better world if more people are like you.

Thank you very much

Reading that line again, I should have said "A child is a child ..............;) ).

As long as it's understood. I am very glad that there are still people out there that can recognize BEAUTIFUL thinking.........and I am sure you too can make this world a better place to live. It starts from HOME.

One thing that I can't wait for is to have my own kids and feed them all these beautiful thoughts, others have planted in me. And inshalla you and every one else can do the same. That way will be Preparing a wonderful life for them ahead.

* May god protect us, our parents and children from any harm and may he bless us with a peaceful world to raise our coming ones. Ameen yarab al 3alamin

Wasalam O’3alikom wa ra7mat alla

Yours B.

Well, I am sure you'll raise your kids very well with the way you think. Don't change--even in small ways, you can still make a difference.

Milliardo, did you read through the posts of ¡§10 things you hate about non-Muslims¡¨ ???!!!

It¡¦s exactly what I was talking about, people who don¡¦t know how to respect others for there culture, customs and beliefs but yet expect it in return.

It is very SAD. How could they wish for this world to be a better place and all live in peace and harmony if they post such threads and encourage brain storming and then sharing, so if one didn¡¦t think of a reason of hate mentioned, GUESS WHAT -„³ NOW IT¡¦S INCLUDED IN THE LIST.

I can truly see what you mean now, when you said:
All we need is to respect the differences in each other's beliefs, something which I have rarely seen among Muslims who post in this forum (not the whole board, mind you, but just a select few here).

THEY DON'T AT ALL................and sorry to say Princess you are one of them............

Yours B.

I've seen enough here to make me conclude that many Muslims still have a long way to go before being able to respect and tolerate other people's beliefs. I am sorry to say that only few here are what I'd call enlightened, and you are one of those few, Beautiful. Only time will tell if more Muslims will be brave enough to step forward and bring change into Islam. Hopefully enlightenment will come to more Muslims. I think that many Muslims are really ready to embrace this attitude of openess--it is the grip of religious rulers in Islam, who keep the people shackled in fear with outdated belief systems, that has kept many Muslims from being more tolerant.

The fact in the topic is really touchy and nice. We all human being should follow the religion of humanity first and individuals won religion in second place. If we can practice it world would become heaven in no time. Islam is the religion of peace so we must want peace. Religion is not a barrier to inter religion culture I hope. No Muslim no Christian no Hindu , we are human. We care and love all human who is good to mankind.

Love to All Human

celebrations in religions

if they wanted to make parites what stops them , can;t they just go out to party why to they involve religions as an excuse to haev parties

this gose to all religions

Originally posted by Hasnain
. No Muslim no Christian no Hindu , we are human. We care and love all human who is good to mankind.

Love to All Human

I do apologise to trun a bit from the real subject guys, however I'd love to commet about these few words above.
Dear Hasnain
would i ask you why you are a muslim? if i think that it diesn't really matter either you be Muslim, Christian or Hindu, as far as you love the humanity and you are a peace person???!!!
you can be with no religion, no God and be good as far as you are a peaceful guy??? that's according your formela,
I'm sorry to say that you are mistaken here, this is not how it's.
your beliefs guide your thoughts and your way of life. it does inded controal you. I hope you got my point, if not let me know what do you tink and i'll explain more to you ...

I did not mean that religion is waste. But I want to say what ever your religion is if you are a fine person that’s important. A good Christian is better then a bad Muslim. I am not an extremist, I am a moderate Muslim. So I believe the core of Islam, which is based on peace and the one creator issue.


We must be good human, before we can be a religious man.

Originally posted by Hasnain
I did not mean that religion is waste. But I want to say what ever your religion is if you are a fine person that’s important. A good Christian is better then a bad Muslim.
We must be good human, before we can be a religious man.

Ok, it might be true that a good Christian is better than a bad muslim, other V V. however you musn't ignor the religions as they play the most impotrtant part in the person behaves. We can not ignore religions becaouse everyone in this world (almost) follwoing one,, or lets say following a specific belive which he think is right.


Originally posted by Hasnain

I am not an extremist, I am a moderate Muslim. So I believe the core of Islam, which is based on peace and the one creator issue.
what do you mean by that? is there an extremists Muslim and Moderate one? ? ? how can we divid this two, so we could know who's who and to wich one he/she belong to??!!

I don’t like being aggressive, racist acts what is not in Islam or in other major religion but in human nature. I feel all should respect other religion and let the follower do their religious tasks. There are Muslims in countries and different society where you will find good Muslims who follows the Quran exactly and some believes in translations and makes life difficult by imposing their won explanations and aggressive beliefs.

An unsocial racist person can never be a good Muslim.

My expression is not clear I know but my motive is fair. Hope now you will understand.


regards

Good job hasnain.

Now wait for all the hypocrites on this forum to jump on you for speaking of tolerance towards other religions.

Originally posted by Hasnain
I .

My expression is not clear I know but my motive is fair. Hope now you will understand.


it seems that you didn't get my point,,, or maybe you don't wana too,, i don't know

i understood your point,,,
however you forgot a very important point which i mentioned before,,,, religions control people behaves,,,,,,

Originally posted by sanwin25
Good job hasnain.

Now wait for all the hypocrites on this forum to jump on you for speaking of tolerance towards other religions.

hope you are not aiming to me mate,,,LOL

Happy birthday to Beautiful
Tomorrow is her BirthDay.
Hope she is fine and enjoying Life. :hbd:

it seems that you didn't get my point,,, or maybe you don't wana too,, i don't know

i understood your point,,,
however you forgot a very important point which i mentioned before,,,, religions control people behaves,,,,,,

1:

Amongst the Palestinians there are Muslims & Christians. It is therefore NO surprise that Christians in the Southern Hemisphere would be praying for safety of Muslims including Jews and Christians.


2:
i know what you mean CunNinG and Hassanain gets you loud n clear. Let me try: You mean religion control one's behaviour therefore Hassanain's manners reflects is religion viz ISLAM, therefore your statement and that of Hassanain endorse the verdict of the jewish community that sees peace amongst other society as means of co-existance rather than wars. Read following web site:

Link:http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/review/article_full_story.asp?service_id=5292


.

Just saw this thread. Its very touching, and cool.

My closest friend here is a very religious and practicing South Korean. We havent had much chance to talk about religion, but I look forward to discussions with him :)

A top Omani Islamic scholar has advocated fasting for non-Muslims too. “Fasting is easy and we encourage even non-Muslims to fast,” Sheikh Khalfan bin Mohammed Al Esry told the Times of Oman in a recent interview. “And some of them have even tried it — to see what it is like.”

“It is easy to follow and the easiest thing is that since everyone is doing it, it becomes easy.

“Imagine running a marathon alone for 25km. You will really struggle but if you run with others, you will find it easier. Imagine trying to be awake alone, it is difficult, but if so many of you are awake you may not even feel it. I think the easy elements in this is that everyone is doing it, and that is why in other months when everybody is not doing it, people find it difficult.”
Sheikh Khalfan said that he advocated non-Muslims to practise fasting. “Because fasting has proven to be beneficial, spiritually, physically and socially. And it is an opportunity to develop that will-power. We all need to develop our will-power. Moreover, by going hungry for 12 hours will not kill you.”

Fasting helps prepare us for calamities and for many emergencies that life can throw up. “Imagine someone driving a car and it suddenly breaks down in the middle of nowhere. They don’t have water and they don’t have food, how will they survive?

“Those who have practised fasting will be able to mentally switch themselves on to say, “I have done it before and I can do it now”.

“The reason that we have emergency drills’ exercise is to prepare ourselves for some real emergencies and this is one of them!”

But, would the real fasters think it is impudent of the non-Muslims to try to fast?
“No, not at all. Fasters will appreciate when they see that others are also fasting.

“Those who are fasting will be delighted about it. And fasting is not exclusive to Muslims.

“I don’t think Muslims can say, ‘no, you cannot fast’. Everyone can do it and we encourage others to try. It is beneficial and it has been proven that it is beneficial so just do it!”

What if a faster stumbles on a non-faster eating food?

“It is neither insulting, nor offensive as long as they don’t eat in public.
“First of all, let us understand that those who believe are the ones who are fasting and those who don’t are not required to fast.

“If one was to have a guest, for example, who is not a Muslim, there is nothing wrong in offering food for the guest. It is quite normal but when someone is trying to kick off a bad habit during this month, we should try to help them morally by trying not to eat in front of them — that is all.

“Take the example of those who smoke. Because they are trying to kick off that bad habit, we try not to smoke in front of them so that they don’t get that craving.

The one thing that non-Muslims should appreciate is that when people are fasting, they are going through a process of educating themselves to have self-control. Those fasting people, who may otherwise be addicted to morning coffee or cigarettes, may feel a trifle itchy during this period, so it is only right that the non fasters help the faster go through that motion.

Full article (http://timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=3908&pn=local)

Christians infact do fast for various reasons. For example, my aunt (mother's sister) did a 30 day no food fast (she only had juice and water) because she was trying to get custody of her grandchildren who were being abused by their stepfather. God infact granted her custody of her 4 grandchildren.

We also beleive that fasting can break habits just as Amo stated.

Looks like i need a fast :shy:

Wish those words were mine :shy: i just reported an interview to Sheik Khalfan, really a blessed man, you can learn more about him on this site

http://www.islamfact.com/home/