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Well, wise or not, the article about my experience with the Muslims went on the stands today. I wish I had a husband to blame for allowing me to do this. "What will I do when they come for me"? Will I "fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee"? Am I "dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight"?
Maybe I am being far too dramatic and emotional. My fate is truely in the hands of God who loves me.
http://wweek.com/editorial/3441/11399/
Many Blessings
Gwendolyn Brown
Comments
Actually
It looks like a very sympathetic story.
Gwen, hon ...
... the story treats you and your pain with respect, and you speak only good of Islam as a faith. I don't think the story sets you up as a target -- instead, you might find yourself welcomed and embraced by other Muslims who do not agree with the actions taken by that local mosque.
Peace, sister. *soft hug* In the end, the story is already written, printed, and published. The wait for events to unfold might be stressful, but any reaction it stirs will fade, with time.
Remember, worry will not turn back the clock. It just adds wrinkles to your face, instead. *smile*
Much love from far away,
Randa
To be honest
I was wondering if you looked into other faiths as well as Islam? Other branches for Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and whatever others..? It's seems like 9/11 is an odd reason to choose that direction for your life..? I get that not everyone is a radical extremist and all that...but it was they blowing up planes and killing thousands of people that got you interested?
Hugs
Alexis
I wouldn't worry
It sounds like you just need to find a better imam. The article didn't show you to have any dangerous opinions about Islam. If anything, I'd expect your interview would inspire Christian evangelists to try to explain the trinity to you, and the really scary fundies don't grasp that kind of subtlety, so it's just boring missionaries armed with pamplets you need to watch out for.
Men who are like Nancycole says they are
I know that almost all the Women were supportive except perhaps two who wanted to stir up trouble. That out of about 80 or so is not bad. Saddly, those women were married to men who had power. I would be happy to see at least some moderation on their part.
Nancycole's story portrays a sinister group of Muslims very accurately, IMHO. I think they are by far a small minority. Still, if someone were to remove the Women and Children and then make Afganistan glass...I simply can not fathom what happens to women there, starting as young as 9 years old.
Her story really makes me feel really tiny and frightened because I know that it could easily be true.
I just wanted people to see that there are muslims who are very good people; perhaps most.
I decided to comment on the article, to the paper.
I'll repost my comment here, but it should appear in the paper as well.
I know Khadijah and I know her to be a remarkably adaptive and courageous woman. To have come out of a childhood filled with horror and fear, to living a life any man would envy, to becoming who she truly has always been, Khadijah has shown the kind of courage usually reserved for those we call heroes.
I am proud to call her friend, and proud to be called friend by her. Her courage should serve as an example to every one of us that, if we want it badly enough, we can have it, if we work hard enough for it.
Her religious choice is hers and hers alone. I respect her for having the sheer guts to stand up and be counted. You're once, twice, three times a lady, my friend, and I love you.
As someone else said, "You GO, girl!" I'm with you all the way.
Catherine Linda Michel
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
Dear Gwen,
I just read the article and I'm very sorry for the rejection and shunning you received because of a small minority at your Mosque. I know what it's like. It's happened to me a number of times. It's strange how it's usually some small minority who have some power and do nasty things that the (silent, I guess) majority would not have done.
I also respect you very much and I'm impressed with the mental/emotional healing and growth you've had since that low point in your life.
Love and Hugs,
Renee
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Gwen
even after 9/11 I still have a spot in my heart for most Muslims and believe they are being treated unfairly on a whole because of it.What you find to have faith in religiously should be celebrated with others who believe in a like manner and respected by those who don't believe.The road you took to get there while more different then most shouldn't bar you from being accepted.I see nothing wrong with what you stated in your article and took notice that the mosques involved chose not to respond.Amy---"May your pen never run out of ink and your brain out of ideas"
WELL, I don't know what to say...
I just can't thank you all enough for your words of support and love.
I guess that almost 4 years out in the open and a life time of hiding finally pissed me off! Here I had been trying to tell everyone what a mild little subbie I am and suddenly I find that I have been lying. :)
Maybe what I did was irrational and dangerous? I don't know. All I know for sure is that I want to fight for the right of each one of us to live happy, normal lives.
Many blessings to you all.
Khadija Gwendolyn
Microcosm
It's a microcosm of how the world works. It doesn't matter that most would support you. In a free society (or congregation), a matter of some dispute might come to a vote, but in a non-free society, democracy is anathema. The norm in this world is that most people are sheep. It's hard enough to make people budge in a free society, but at least there are no terrible consequences for taking a stand.
In a non-free society, however, the vast majority might see an injustice and sympathize, but when it comes down to it, they generally aren't interested enough to jeopardize their safety for fear of retaliation. For all practical purposes, the few who are dedicated, ideologically driven, or ruthless enough to assume power in such societies make the decisions for the majority. A society should be judged not only on the personal character of its individuals, but also how free it is -- and who they allow to be their leaders.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi