Monday, May 31, 2010
Souplantation Muslims, coupons included
Today I had the honor of being talked to by "Progressive/liberal" Muslims. I was scolded for having a beard and wearing kufi. Apparently, there is a contingent of "Muslims" out there that feel wearing a beard, kufi or hijab (for women) is equivalent of tattooing 666 on your forehead. Today's roast "Liberal Scampi" served with a nice Chianti.
So, I am minding my business at Border's bookstore. As I peruse the fiction section I hear "salam". So, I turn and say "Alaykum Salam" to a guy and girl about in their late 20's.The usual social banter begins. How are you? what's your name? where you from? (always answer with: "PLUTO, but we lost our planetary status. We're a freakin moon now. How is that for a charmed life?". I've used it. a mind bender. always worth a giggle.)
Then the question gets personal. "why you wearing a kufi?". So, I was as honest as I could be. I said "I'm muslim, proud, not ashamed, and not hiding". To which I get, "but you have a beard too and you know it's too much. just too much". Now here is where it gets fun.He says " I make prayer only during ramadan. Why are you all serious carrying sajada?" Well, thinks I, this lad just pulled the plank out and is ready for a deep sea dive. He began to lecture me, mind you, in public, on why wearing a beard, kufi, and carrying a sajada is not good for the Business of Islam. As I listened I thought, wow, these two sound more like they hate Islam more than anything. Closet haters.
There was so much I wanted to say, so much I could have said. But, in the end I decided less was more. Before I said anything further He said "we are progessive muslims, not old fashioned like you". And there it was. I couldn't believe he said it. He called himself a "Progressive". And, labeled me "OLD". He actually pulled the plank out from under himself. Deep sea diving must be his past time.
So I said, "well, you are Souplantation Muslim then. You pick and choose what you want to practice when it is convenient for you. I actually have a coupon for buy one get one free. you take it?" At that I walked away with the rumblings of "rude radical" behind me. Now, radical is a fun word. I will leave that for another day.
So, I am minding my business at Border's bookstore. As I peruse the fiction section I hear "salam". So, I turn and say "Alaykum Salam" to a guy and girl about in their late 20's.The usual social banter begins. How are you? what's your name? where you from? (always answer with: "PLUTO, but we lost our planetary status. We're a freakin moon now. How is that for a charmed life?". I've used it. a mind bender. always worth a giggle.)
Then the question gets personal. "why you wearing a kufi?". So, I was as honest as I could be. I said "I'm muslim, proud, not ashamed, and not hiding". To which I get, "but you have a beard too and you know it's too much. just too much". Now here is where it gets fun.He says " I make prayer only during ramadan. Why are you all serious carrying sajada?" Well, thinks I, this lad just pulled the plank out and is ready for a deep sea dive. He began to lecture me, mind you, in public, on why wearing a beard, kufi, and carrying a sajada is not good for the Business of Islam. As I listened I thought, wow, these two sound more like they hate Islam more than anything. Closet haters.
There was so much I wanted to say, so much I could have said. But, in the end I decided less was more. Before I said anything further He said "we are progessive muslims, not old fashioned like you". And there it was. I couldn't believe he said it. He called himself a "Progressive". And, labeled me "OLD". He actually pulled the plank out from under himself. Deep sea diving must be his past time.
So I said, "well, you are Souplantation Muslim then. You pick and choose what you want to practice when it is convenient for you. I actually have a coupon for buy one get one free. you take it?" At that I walked away with the rumblings of "rude radical" behind me. Now, radical is a fun word. I will leave that for another day.
