So, when I started this blog, I assumed that I had two groups to worry about:
Syrian government authorities and Islamic extremists.
Well, the first has made it abundantly clear that they are most displeased with me in person. I’ve even seen a few comments posted on this blog that I am 99.9% certain originate with regime loyalists (and a few emailed threats as well … which leave me shrugging: ‘uh guys – just because you like Bashar a lot … you do nothing this way …)
I’ve also seen the usual anti-Islamic and the usual pro- and anti-Israel comments posted …
BUT the one thing I haven’t seen, the one group from which no one has made threats or sent deranged emails nor sought to harass anyone is the ‘Islamic extremists’,
The only things I’ve gotten are some nice notes from observant but gay muslims and a long, really sweet email from a relative who’s in the exiled Muslim Brotherhood (“I’m really enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work, we’re all praying for your safety.”)
That says something.
Well several somethings.
First, as I had very much suspected, that segment of Islam that sees harassing women who don’t conform to their expectations as being a religious duty is under-represented in Syria. I had always suspected that. Now, I know. Al-hamdullilah!
Second, the “Islamist” element in the opposition here is more like the Turkish AKP than the Taliban and quite possibly rather more modern than the AKP.
Third, I have observed in this movement a lot of people from different strands coming together: Kurds and Arabs, Christians, Muslims, and Druze, Communists and Islamists, Secularists and devout, Niqabis and western dress … and not worrying about harassing each other for our common goal.
THAT is what the new Syria will emerge from; this spirit of togetherness and unity in purpose that is growing among us, where the fundamentalist cousin prays for safety of the queer cousin … where the things that have divided us and made us easy to dominate just don’t matter any more.
This people will triumph.
4 comments:
Amina,
I've just discovered your blog - it's going to required reading for me from now on - you are a breath of fresh air!
Your faith is contagious, even for somebody like me who is living so far away...
I hope that your dreams of a free Syria will become true soon.
We think about you and pray for you and your country.
People of goodwill everywhere are in your corner.
May the Syrians live to breathe the air of freedom.
Godspeed.
Hi Amina,
A fellow Syrian American here. An observant Muslim, too! You can call me pious.. maybe advocate of Islam, but of course I'm not an extremists.. frankly, haven't seen any of those in all the countries I've lived in.. Middle East or U.S... I may not approve of your sexual orientation.. but who cares.. and who am I to approve or not! It's your life and your decisions, nobody will be asked about your actions, not in this life.. not in the after life! People in the west, have a hard time imagining Muslims thinking that way! They think that Lesbians or even adultrers are slaughtered in the streets in the ME.. a girl walking with a stranger is dragged from her hair and tried! yes.. I was asked those questions.. and I was in shock!
I hope you lead a good and happy life.. here and in the hereafter.. you seem like a lady with good faith.. you have a good heart.. you went through a lot! God bless you.. and I hope to meet you one day in Syria!
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