Where Am I Going? (Formal-Sept 17th)

I will be the first to admit that the extent of knowledge that I have about the Islamic faith comes from what we have read and discussed in class and my experience working in a Middle Eastern Restaurant. I am basically ignorant to many of their views and customs and I hope that by taking this class I am able to overcome the tendency to believe what is fed to me on the news. Althought I try to get my news from MPR and other non-biased organizations, I find it difficult to not have certain expectations of a culture due to the negative images and propaganda spread by the media. I hope that by the end of this class I will better understand the ideals of Islam and learn something that I can use in my everyday life.

I am sad to say that Professor Kietzman had to set me straight on a few issues regarding Islam. I was under the impression that the religion mandated the veiling of women which I felt was oppressive. I didn't understand that it was a personal preference. Kietzman made a good point in saying that Muslims view American's dependence on the importance of appearance, such as weight, make-up and indecent clothing, is oppressive. This statement saddened me because I do not want to be associated with people such as Paris Hilton just because we share U.S. residency, which is how non-radical Muslims must feel. Here we are, basically blaming their religion for the ridiculous and radical views of a small group of people, not even taking in to account that not everyone of that faith is for killing or dying in the name of Allah. Some truely do follow the peaceful teachings of Mohammed.

I am ashamed to say that I held some unfair views of the Islamic faith and the Muslim people due to stories that I heard from my Jewish friends that live in Israel. Of course my friends are going to tell me all the negative aspects of these people considering they have been in conflict with them over the state of Israel and especially the Gaza strip. They told me stories about their relatives dying in bombings of libraries and cafes and also about their experience in the military directly out of High school or whatever they call it in Israel. And in my learning of the religion and culture of Judasim I believe that I may have developed a tendacy of viewing Muslims as the "enemy." I can honestly say that the attack on the World Trade Center and all the special programs devoted to what happened on Septemeber 11th didn't help to correct my biased view.

When I began working at Taboon, I was able to speak with some of the Muslim workers about culture, but was never really able to pick their brains regarding their religious beliefs. I got to learn such things like their rules regarding alcohol and Ramadan and other such surface aspects of the religion, but never the story of Mohammed and the birth of Islam. Looking back, I wish that I would have been allotted that privilege so that I didn't have to live in ignorance all these years. I was lucky enough to accidently stumble in on one of the cooks praying in the back room, and I will say that I was in awe. I never realized how beautiful the ritual is and was very taken by the dedication that they to their faith.

I am proud to say, that my views of the Islam religion have transformed, with the help of Professor Kietzman and the Muslims students in this class. They have helped me to better understand the culture, as well as the religion and for that I give them my deepest thanks.