Although I’m not a Muslim I frequently find myself answering very basic questions on Islam and, more often than not, defending it. There is a lot of misconception surrounding it which of course is true of every religion. Once people understand they believed wrong, they are more open to listening and understanding.
The other day I explained to an American friend the meaning of Aslam ul Laikum and he was surprised to know it simply meant “Peace be upon you.” If you take these words for just words there is no religious implication. It is a greeting and a beautiful one at that.
Well this friend of mine then went on to ask more basic questions all related to Islam which I answered to the best of my ability and he went away saying, “This is so different from what I heard. I guess I will have to learn more.”
So imagine my shock and disgust the other day when I came across a particularly offensive question on Facebook from a Pakistani journalist provocateur on whether it was ‘jaiz’ to greet non-Muslims or accept their greetings.
Greetings are acknowledgement of recognition and tolerance….
The Zulu greeting, "Sawubona" means "I see you" and the response "Ngikhona" means "I am here". Doesn’t that sound beautiful too?
Yesterday, while waiting for my daughter at school, I saw an old Sikh man. Out of respect, I asked him in Punjabi how he was and he immediately put his hands together in a traditional greeting and reciprocated, asking me how I was.
Guess my answer….
“Allah ka shukr hai,” I said.
Me… a Catholic to a Sikh!!
