To Be a Muslim

Let me state this before we go any further let telll you that I majored in English and I homeschooled 5 children. Hatemail will be graded for form and context. Here we go.

The world Muslim is on who does the will of God. It's like riding the wave rather than against the current. Everything flows and there is peace. In fact, the word Islam means PEACE. And despite what other's would have you believe, we actually follow a way of peace.
To be a muslim is to be one with God, doing His will, living, internalizing the 23rd Psalm. "Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. God is with me. HIS rod and staff comfort him.

It's not easy to be a Muslim in America. Everyday I am reminded that I am choosing a path different than those around me. I cover my hair,wear loose clothing, pray 5 times a day,give what I can to charity. I try to be as good to people as I can. I try to give more than I receive . And with all of that, for some people, that isn't enough.

I am not, nor do I plan be an apologist Muslim. I will not grovel for acceptance. Like any other American, I vote, pay taxes, work for the best of the two worlds I live in. I will not apologize for people that I don't know and for acts that I didn't commit. Oklahomans are taken aback by that. I don't mind being humble ,but I will not be humiliated. I will not walk head down, feet shuffling begging to be forgiven for something that I played no part. When I am told that I am a terrorist and children and grandchildren are terrorists, it brings out the worst in me. I am not a Christian, the term "turn the other cheek" does not apply. And that is where Christians and a few others get the idea that I am somehow evil, lack remorse and empathy. As a Muslim,we are told that when we see our enemy coming, rush out to meet him. Do not retreat. As my son puts it "ALLAH didn't mean for us to get punked. I wholeheartedly agree. Being a Muslim doesn't not equate with doormat. And you won't find any in my house. It's alright for me to defend my family. I love them as much or more that any other parent loves their child.

To be a muslim is to live only fearing GOD, only trying to do what we feel has been planned for us. But as in any other group, we have our share of the misguided. I do not welcome death, but I am not afraid of it. When it's my time, it's my time. Apparently I was given a reprieve on this day --as we all were. Use your time wisely. To be a muslim is to be totally misunderstood, to have our statements truncated and made to sound villanous. We do not hate or despise nonMuslims. That's not our way, though some (even among muslims) believe it is.

To be a Muslim means staying up every night leading to September 11th and praying that nothing happens to our children who are so innocent to the ways of the world. When was the last time you were told "Go back to where you came from"? Towelhead,Sand-n-word, you name it. And these are the things that are said about my family on a regular basis. My children and grand childen hear this. My daughters have taken my American born grandbabies to other countries because it's safer there.

To be a Muslim means that everyone has rights over us-even our nonmuslim neighbors. Charity begins at the tip of your finger and extends from there. We are to help even when we are despised by the very people we would give of ourselves to assist. My children feed and clothe the homeless. We deliver meals on wheels. We are a part of daily life in Oklahoma City, but still treated as outsiders even when we try to assimilate. Oh yeah, I'm not an assimilationist either. I dress the way that I do because ALLAH commands it, not because I'm being oppressed. Each and every action is for the sake of and the love of ALLAH. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't covert to marry my husband.

To be a muslim is to fight everyday for the right to just "be". I would love to take a walk to the park without being harassed by Christians who as misinformed about Islam as some claiming to be Muslim. There's no difference. The religious labels have been changed to protect the guilty.

No one ever said that even though Islam is the best road to travel, it is also a difficult one.