This Sunday we were visited by Yasmin, Muslim woman who lives in the village below us, Ein Rafa. She converted when she was twenty eight. She originally came from a agnostic family from Britain. She has lead the lesson she taught us then for the past ten years, although generally we go to Ein Rafa for the tour. If we had went to Ein Rafa, the tour would have been led by both the Imam of the mosque, and Yasmin.
Yasmin gave us a brief history of Islam, which coincided with what we had learned in class that day. We went over the beginning of Islam through Mohammad, and how it spread after his death. We then thought of reasons of how the mass spread of Islam could be positive to Judaism.
Overall it was a very interesting lesson, and I just wanted to ask you, because we didn't have enough time to have all of our questions answered, what questions did you have that were not answered? Also, if we were able to have visited the mosque, what difference would you think it would have made?
I asked Yasmin several questions but I never remembered to ask why some of the men in the picture of Mecca wore black cloaks instead of white ones.
ReplyDeleteIf we were in the mosque, first of all we would get to meet the head of prayer (I forget the technical term for him) and therefore we might have gotten a more learned and knowledgable perspective on the religion.
If I were able to ask her more questions, I think they'd be less about Islam and more about her personal take on it and her specific beliefs. I would ask about her views on homosexuality and gay rights, and I'd ask her what her reaction would be if her kids grew up and didn't want to take part in the Muslim culture. If we were able to see the mosque, I think it would have just been a lot more real and easier to imagine her experience. We also probably would have learned more details about the actual religion among seeing where it is that they pray.
ReplyDeleteIf I were able to ask her more questions, I think they'd be less about Islam and more about her personal take on it and her specific beliefs. I would ask about her views on homosexuality and gay rights, and I'd ask her what her reaction would be if her kids grew up and didn't want to take part in the Muslim culture. If we were able to see the mosque, I think it would have just been a lot more real and easier to imagine her experience. We also probably would have learned more details about the actual religion among seeing where it is that they pray.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed listening to Jasmine because the idea of learning about all different religions is amazing to me. I would have liked to ask her what being an Islamic Women is like to her and how it effects her everyday life. I think visiting the mosque would have made a difference in the way of us understanding what she is talking about. Also EIE usually has the pleasure to talk with the religious leader of the mosque which would have probably made a difference in our experience.
ReplyDeleteIf I had gotten to ask more questions, I would have delved further into the specific values of Islam because I had a problem with the apparent passivity of the religion. Visiting the mosque would have allowed us to have a conversation with an Imam, which I have never gotten the opportunity to do, so I think that that experience would generate a lot more questions and hopefully leave us with more knowledge.
ReplyDeleteIf I had gotten to ask another question, I would have asked her more about the Muslims' belief in pre-destiny. I have always wondered whether there was a plan for all of our lives or not. She seemed so knowledgeable and I would love to talk to her more. I think visiting the actual Mosque would have enhanced our experience, but I think no going put more focus on the everyday culture of the Muslim people.
ReplyDeleteIfI were able to ask her more questions, I think that I would want to know more about her everyday life in Islamic culture.
ReplyDeleteI think being able to visit the mosque would have made the experience more interesting. It would have allowed me to literally see the differences in their holy building versus the holy building I’m so used to seeing, or seeing the obvious difference in the physical way that they pray compared to how we pray. I think it would have enhanced the experience.
-Rachael Coleman
I definitely wanted to ask Yasmin about in what ways muslim fundamentalism has affected her community. As our world becomes increasingly politically and religiously polarized, middle ground begins to disappear. In America, for instance, you're left-wing or you're right-wing, and if you don't align yourself with a side, you have no voice. Religious extremism is on the rise across all cultures (especially in Israel) and its impacts are hitting deep. But what about a peaceful village like Ein Rafa? Is there a place for extremism, or will there be?
ReplyDeleteI was very disappointed that we couldn't go into Ein Rafa ourselves. Visiting the mosque would have put a face on our entire discussion. While our discussion was certainly valuable, I don't feel that I learned nearly as much as I could have. It almost felt like I was watching a two-hour long video of ourselves. Because of that I really think we should go to the village as part of an organized activity.
Noah Arnold
With more time for discussion, I would have asked Yasmin if she will allow her children room for religious exploration she herself had, or whether she will raise them as strictly Muslim.
ReplyDeleteI think visiting the mosque, and especially getting to hear Yasmin's Imam speak, would have been very valuable. We would have felt more immersed in her culture and would have been able to see many other people living everyday Muslim lives. Because we only saw Yasmin, she is our only personal image of modern Islam. Being able to see an entire village would give us the opportunity to see Islam as it is interpreted and lived out by many different people.
My question to Yasmin would have revolved around her personal life and what she had to do to transition from a non-religious family background to becoming a active member in her community. I would also ask what her mindset was to become so active in the community. I think that everything Yasmin said was very interesting, but if we got to visit the mosque and village, we would be able to feel and see their religion, traditions, and culture in a more meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteMy question to Yasmin would have revolved around her personal life and what she had to do to transition from a non-religious family background to becoming a active member in her community. I would also ask what her mindset was to become so active in the community. I think that everything Yasmin said was very interesting, but if we got to visit the mosque and village, we would be able to feel and see their religion, traditions, and culture in a more meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteIf I were able to ask any more questions to Yasmin then I'd like to learn more about the certain rules of dress and garment. She told us a bit about the Hijab and all, but I was curious if any such rules apply to men and also how lenient it was or if it varied by the place. I also would've much preferred to visit Ein Rafa because I feel like we would've learned a lot more in an actual mosque and also have the other guy who didn't come to answer questions with different perspective.
ReplyDeleteBefore listening to Yasmine i knew basically nothing about Islam. i never thought i would find it to be so fascinating, however i was very greatly surprised. I asked many questions while we were given the opportunity to meet with Yasmine, and her answers amazed me in so many different ways. The thing that mainly stood out to me was the typical dress of Muslim women and why they dress so conservatively. I always assumed that Muslim women wore what they did because the Islamic religion felt that women were not important and that showing skin was a sign of control which women in this culture don't have. However i was so astounded to learn that women dress like this so they are respected and not viewed objectively. they are seen as humans and by covering up, it teaches men to have respect for women and to understand that they too are very knowledgeable, and have brains which are full of insight.
ReplyDelete