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Muslims

(36 Posts)
Welshwife Thu 27-Apr-17 13:18:16

The minute I told DH about your postGilly he said how interesting and he would love to go. I agree with you about 'good people' getting on. I knew a Muslim lady who was working at a school I was at and she went on a course about the Muslim and Christian religions - she came back so delighted at how similar they were in many ways. Much of that is true in The Jewish religion too - although they only accept the Old Testament and consider Jesus a Prophet. Many overlapping ideas again.
Children were taught about different religions at one time but I have no idea if that is still the case.

Eloethan Thu 27-Apr-17 12:33:09

What a lovely, positive post in these troubled times. Thank you so much gilly. It has cheered me up.

gillybob Thu 27-Apr-17 12:31:43

Yes Luckygirl the Mosque manager read out some alarming headlines, all of which began with the word "Muslim" (no prizes for guessing where they came from). Imagine if the newpaper printed headlines such as "Christian man in gun attack" or "Christian gang........" etc.shock

gillybob Thu 27-Apr-17 12:28:48

I think it is important that "good people" of all faiths get along. Like all walks of life there are good Muslims and bad ones, good Christians and bad ones etc. It's just a shame that the media paint a very bad picture of the Muslim religion as a whole.

We left with an open invitation to come back at any time. "Even just call in for a cuppa" said the Imam as we left.smile

I said I would come back on the condition that they served those delicious Samosas again.

Luckygirl Thu 27-Apr-17 12:24:09

And that they justify their behaviour by referring to their religion.

MrsJamJam Thu 27-Apr-17 12:03:57

A few years ago, on a trip to Egypt, our guide took us into a beautiful mosque. We sat on the lovely soft carpeted floor while he told us about what it meant to him to be a Muslim. It was fascinating and in a way humbling. I have never forgotten it and it underpins my belief that there is far more that binds humanity together than divides us. Just such a shame that a vociferous few make much of differences and that gets the publicity.

Welshwife Thu 27-Apr-17 11:49:59

I would have loved to come with you Gilly! I would also like to do similar at a synagogue. I had a lovely look around a Greek Orthodox Church years ago - that was interesting.

Elrel Thu 27-Apr-17 11:33:55

A step towards the acceptance of difference, and of appreciation of what we have in common. Good for the WI!

gillybob Thu 27-Apr-17 11:24:23

Exactly Elrel. smile

I admit to feeling a bit apprehensive about the visit and almost cancelled (due to being late home from work) but I am so glad I didn't.

Elrel Thu 27-Apr-17 11:18:18

Enlightened Imam - a bridge builder. I wish this happened more often. People fear what they don't know or understand.

gillybob Thu 27-Apr-17 11:06:16

Last night a group of around 30 ladies from our WI visited a Mosque after being invited along by the Imam.

None of us knew what to expect. We were greeted by a group of lovely ladies who had prepared a delicious buffet in our honour. We were then treat to a very interesting, short talk given by the Mosque manager and his team (with the Imam nipping funny little quips in every now and again) giving us a brief background of the Muslim religion. This was followed by a Q & A session, before which, the manager said "there is no question we will not answer. Nothing is out of bounds and we will be as honest and clear with our answers as possible"

What followed was a breath of fresh air... It was almost "everything you wanted to know about Muslims but were afraid to ask" and between us we put some very personal and quite cheeky questions, all of which were answered with good humour and honesty.

A few of us decided to say back to watch the evening prayer session and left feeling extremely uplifted. smile