I'm a Muslim. Ask me anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been wondering this ever since I moved to arlington.

What the heck is going on, noonish, Fridays on Leesburg Pike between 7 corners and Baily's crossroads.

EVERY SINGLE TAxi cab in the dc metro area is parked over there, there are cops, and burkas and men in pajama-looking cloths. and lots of normal looking people too but those are clues to me that this is indeed a question for a Muslim.

Namaste.

Namaste is a Hindu greeting. Salaam or Assalamu alaikum, which means peace be to you is an Islamic greeting.

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot everyone. I learned a lot today!

[Anonymous]

I too learned a lot and thank all the posters who offered education and I apologize for the Namaste thing. I was trying to be funny. Massive fail.

Assalamu alaikum!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the Muslim posters have Jewish friends? We are Jewish and don't have Muslim "friends". DS's best friend's nanny is Muslim so we do see her often but we've never discussed political or religious issues. DS has a few Muslim
families at his school and again- everyone is respectful but we've never reached out to them on a social level before.

Not the OP -- but the answer is yes. I was born and raised on the east coast and my best friends in HS and college were Jewish, as well as lots of my grad school friends. My dad was born and raised in India and came here in the 70s and his best friend from work is Jewish and they always talk about how similar certain traditions and values are -- kosher/halal, pork etc., the emphasis on education etc. It helps that none of us are political people with strong views on the middle east because then I don't think the friendships would last; I loved hearing about friends' birthright trips, but you have to be open minded enough to be willing to hear it. Unfortunately some of my extended family lives in North Am. but acts like they're still back in the old country -- only being friends with other Muslims etc. They were born and raised here and cannot imagine that I choose to have Jewish (and Christian, atheist etc.) friends. I, on the other hand, can't imagine how you go from K-12 here and decide you won't talk to someone if they don't share your exact same faith.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP -- but the answer is yes. I was born and raised on the east coast and my best friends in HS and college were Jewish, as well as lots of my grad school friends. My dad was born and raised in India and came here in the 70s and his best friend from work is Jewish and they always talk about how similar certain traditions and values are -- kosher/halal, pork etc., the emphasis on education etc. It helps that none of us are political people with strong views on the middle east because then I don't think the friendships would last; I loved hearing about friends' birthright trips, but you have to be open minded enough to be willing to hear it. Unfortunately some of my extended family lives in North Am. but acts like they're still back in the old country -- only being friends with other Muslims etc. They were born and raised here and cannot imagine that I choose to have Jewish (and Christian, atheist etc.) friends. I, on the other hand, can't imagine how you go from K-12 here and decide you won't talk to someone if they don't share your exact same faith.

Not OP but another muslim poster: So true!

[Anonymous]

It's true that all major religions were very misogynistic when created, but most have become more gender-neutral in practice. Why hasn't Islam followed suit? Why can't women drive in Saudi Arabia? And I honestly can't believe that people on this board are defending the 'women's word is worth 1/2 of men's.' I believe in countries like Pakistan, you need 4 witnesses to report a rape. As if that ever happens.

[Anonymous]

My DH was born & raised Muslim but is more spiritual than religious. His best friend is an Ashkenazi Jew. He feels that the two cultures are a lot alike in terms of the tight-knit nature of family and the emphasis/importance they place on education. They are like two peas in a pod.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that all major religions were very misogynistic when created, but most have become more gender-neutral in practice. Why hasn't Islam followed suit? Why can't women drive in Saudi Arabia? And I honestly can't believe that people on this board are defending the 'women's word is worth 1/2 of men's.' I believe in countries like Pakistan, you need 4 witnesses to report a rape. As if that ever happens.

I don't see anyone defending anything. Just trying to explain. Islam is very often practiced liberally. Mostly in the west, but also in the upper classes of many predominantly Muslim countries. Culture has a huge influence, and Indonesian Muslims practice Islam very differently than Saudis, for example.

It's not 4 witnesses for rape. It's 4 witnesses to prove adultery. Huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were you brought up Muslim? Are you originally from the US?

I wrote this just a couple of days ago and can't believe it's hit 9 pages. Yikes....Okay so here goes....

Yes I was born and brought up Muslim. I came to the States when I was five.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you married? Did you date?

I'm married for almost fifteen years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember seeing men in white knit beanie caps standing in street corners in dc when I was little. My parents told me they were nation of Islam and doing some sort of protection in the area.
Is that the same Muslim as you or is there a difference between being Muslim and Nation of Islam? Are these guys still in those areas?

The caps are simply what Muslim men sometimes wear. It's not mandatory to wear them. Islam is Islam. There is no "Nation of Islam" that is mentioned in our holy book, the Quran.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm married to a Muslim, and most if his relatives are conservative Republicans. How did you end up liberal?

My family raised us as traditional but moderate Muslims. As I grew older, I began to meet all different kinds of Muslims and was turned off by the rigidity and close mindedness of some conservative Muslims. I didn't like how women were treated in some Muslim circles. This is how I became a liberal Muslim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're female, do you go to the beach? What do you wear?

Yes, I'm female. I went to the beach as a child and wore a swimsuit until I was about fourteen. Then my parents did not take us to the beach anymore. Now I have no issue with wearing swimsuits at a beach. Swimsuits don't need to show off my breasts or other body parts; there are modest swimsuits out there too. But I have no issue with showing my legs and arms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about Muhammed marrying a 9 year old? Do you consider him a pedophile? If not, would you allow your 9yr old girl to marry a 50 something prophet (assuming that "the prophet" returned?

Well, first of all I don't trust every 'historical' text out there that states this. We're relying on hearsay from hundreds of years ago and we should question its reliability to some degree. On the other hand though, my grandmother married at age 14. In some Muslim parts of the world it isn't unusual at all. Girls matured earlier back in those days, physically as well as emotionally. But lastly we have to remember that even if Muhammad married her, it does not mean he consummated the marriage while she was nine. He was apparently a very compassionate human who married sometimes to help a family, never for lustful reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard accusations leveled against liberal Muslims for not speaking out more strongly against terrorism and oppression in the name of radical Islam. Do you think there is merit to this position, and if not, why not? Thanks.

Yes, there is great merit to this position. Muslims in general do oppose terrorism and oppression but especially liberal Muslims. However they do not stand up against it enough. This is due in part to having mixed feelings. Many Muslims resent American international policies and don't want the U.S. to be involved in Muslim countries (even to 'liberate' them, introduce democracy, etc..). So they can understand the resentment other Muslims feel but they don't condone the way they express that resentment.