Tolerance in action. Merry Christmas.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

This is a demonstration of true tolerance in Islam. Just as it was in

the past in Spain and other places..............ONS...Tony.

 

 

http://www.yayacanada.com/samdiary17.html (picture of tree etc)

 

 

 

Reports from Amman Jordan

by Samah Sabawi

Part XVII - A Christmas Story

for my friends in Canada and around the world

- something uplifting for a change -

 

See also: Comments from Readers

 

 

A special dedication to my good Canadian friends Nancy and Robert Assaly:

Christmas just isn't the same without you guys. Come to think of it,

neither was Eid.

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2004

 

Amman, Jordan

 

With Ramadan and Eid behind us, the malls in Amman have taken down

their flashing stars, crescent moons and Ramadan lanterns and have

replaced them with green and red ribbons, tiny Rudolphs, fat Santas

and glittering Christmas trees.

 

I guess I'm not lucky enough to escape the Christmas jingles after

all. The spirit of Christmas has invaded Amman's cafes, shops, and

even offices and schools.

 

I was invited to one of the many Christmas concerts that are happening

around town, and saw Muslim Arab children taking part in singing

Christmas carols and being applauded by their hijab wearing mothers.

 

This wonderful transition from Muslim to Christian holidays says a lot

about this city and Arab culture.

 

Since I've arrived here, I've seen some of the most wonderful examples

of tolerance and co-existence between Muslim and Christian Arabs. Of

course I've seen examples of intolerance, but because such examples

are way over rated and terribly over exposed in our Western media,

I've decided not to include them.

 

The norm here, the overall feeling, is that of familial love between

the two communities. One story I'd like to share with you concerns my

daughter's friend Noor.

 

Noor is a lovely 13 year old who didn't miss a day of fasting this

Ramadan. Her mom made sure every morning to wake her up at 3.30 a.m.

before the dawn prayer to eat her Suhoor, and to have a nice meal

ready each evening for her daughter to break her fast.

 

What is a little unusual is that Noor has been raised in a Christian

home to a Christian family. Although Noor never knew her Muslim

father, her mom goes to great lengths to ensure that she keeps her

Islamic faith. The two religions co-exist in Noor's house in a way

that can bring tears to your eyes. It is a home that is full of love,

respect and tolerance.

 

Noor's Christian family sits around the table in Ramadan to share

Iftar with her. Her Muslim friends shop with her for Christmas gifts

for her family. Her neighborhood of Muslims and Christians are as

intertwined as the blood in Noor's veins.

 

I've lived away from here for so long that I returned with the notion

that tolerance exists only in the West. I was wrong. Tolerance can

be found right here in the heart of the Arab world, and especially in

Palestinian culture where no lines between Christians and Muslims have

ever been drawn. Both communities still live in peaceful harmony

joined by their shared culture, language and heritage.

 

So today, I will bask in the peaceful glory of Arab nationalism. I

will take pride in my faith, Islam, and in my homeland, Palestine - a

homeland for all religions, not for one above others.

 

And from here, to all my friends in Canada and around the world, I

send my best wishes and my prayers for peace.

 

Merry Christmas to you all.

 

Samah Sabawi

 

 

 

 

Mecca Mall - Amman, Jordan

 

 

 

Samah Sabawi, originally from Gaza and whose permanent residence is

now Ottawa, is a writer and activist with Canadian Friends of Sabeel.

Her work also appears in several other media, including a play,

" Cries from the Land " co-authored with her father, Abdel-Karim

Sabawi, and sponsored by Friends of Sabeel and Canpalnet-Ottawa.org.

 

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