According to Luke: An apple, just as much of a miracle
This afternoon, Village Square intern Luke, an FSU Political Science major, attended a prayer service with me at the Al-Ansar Mosque. This was part of our preparation for the July 14 program “A Rabbi, A Priest, A Pastor and An Imam.” We were warmly welcomed and they were kind and generous about answering our questions. I asked Luke to write about the experience (and being a good intern he did, below…) I will follow this with another blog post about our visit this weekend.
There is a solemn silence in the mosque; the only noise coming from the water running in the background. The speaker stands up and sings a beautiful chant, a hymn. The Imam begins speaking on the importance of prayer, and the role it plays in their lives. Praise Allah, for all is from him.
The commitment to faith the men and women of the Islamic world share is unrivaled. The commitment goes beyond the five prayers they say a day. It is not enough for them to simply have faith, but they must act on that faith. Theirs is a commitment centered on a personal connection to God and his wonders. “An apple growing on a tree is just as much a miracle as chocolate growing on a tree” he says, “for Allah is responsible for both.”
I am a Christian, and this was still an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. There was no judging, no bad looks or whispers. They came to do one thing, pray. They didn’t scream or threaten the country they’ve come to love. They finished and went on with their lives.
We are a lot alike you and I. We both worship the same God, the same prophets and biblical leaders. Why then are you so misunderstood? In a world that is so ugly and hateful, the beautiful song of praise the Muslims sing resonates even louder. Theirs is a religion of peace and love. Sound familiar? Praise Allah, for all is from him.
1 comment June 26th, 2009
