The next few articles comprise a series entitled "The Mettamind Interviews", which I have conducted with people of various faiths, in an effort to dispel misconceptions about others' religions. I have preserved their replies as closely as possible while allowing for normal editing. It is my hope that in their answers you will come to understand the suffering they sometimes go through, which is common to those of all faiths, and feel compassion where you read about prejudice... J
1.) What is your chosen faith?
Islam. I am a Muslim
2.) Please briefly describe the basis of your faith, as you see it.
People often ask me why am I a Muslim and seem shocked that I am both American and Caucasian.
3.) Were you raised in your chosen faith? If not, how did you learn about it?
There are two ways it seems, that people are drawn to certain religions. One is by birth and one is by choice. My reason is by choice. I was in a position where I selected and trained a staff for a new branch of an Indianapolis based marketing research company. I hired a woman who happened to be the wife of a pastor of a Baptist church. One day she came to me and asked if we were hiring. She said that she had a sister who was having difficulty getting a job because she was so "different". When I asked in what way, she said that she was a Muslim and dressed in "that way". The sister sounded just a little disapproving, and I told her to tell her relative to come to the office and ask for me. This woman appeared in Hijab, the cover for modesty for Muslim women, not quite a Birka but a scarf and long dress where only the oval of her face showed. I spoke with Najla and ultimately offered a job. She turned out to be an honest and reliable employee and when the day came that I had to tell her that her job ended I was a sad as she was. I watched her read the Quran (Koran in English) during lunch and asked her about Islam but we only talked on break. We didn't socialize outside of the office and only at break times off the clock since I was in a management position. Years later, I met a man from Egypt. After he left I decided that I wanted to know more about this religion and I started going to different mosques. In October of 1994 I said Shahada (statement of faith) and was given my first Quran to read. It is Ramadan now and I am reading it daily during this Holy Month.
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