Dedication

It has been interesting to see how dedicated the people are to their religion. Most taxis that I have ridden in have been playing Qur'an recitations which I have decided are some of the most beautiful, soul-filled sounds ever. I might even track down a CD to take back with me. Many people walk around carrying prayer beads to remember the 99 wonderful names of God and consequently remember the many wonderful things that he has done for them and blessed them with. Another wonderful thing is that nearly half of the books in book stores are the Qur'an. I also feel that the hijab can be a reminder for many women of the promises they have made to God and their duty toward Him. At the orphanage, it has been rather interesting to see how Islam is a part of everything they do. Before and after eating, the children are sent to wash their face and hands so that they will be clean because that's what Islam says to do. At other times, the children are taught what to say before eating or when they are given something in order to show their gratitude towards God. One particular time, I was present while they children were being taught a prayer. It was done in a call-response manner, but the thing that really stood out to me is that the woman who was teaching them told them to speak in a loud voice to show their sincerity. I'm sure there other reasons for wanting the children to use a loud voice such as to make sure they are actually participating, but it's just one example of how devout these wonderful people are to their religion.

It's also touching to see the concern that they have for your welfare. I have only been approached once when they were actually trying to convert me, but the experience was rather neat. At first, it was just a young boy, probably 10 years old or so, who was talking to a small group of us. What were we doing at the time? Sitting on a dock at Aqaba staring at the city lights coming from both Jordan and Israel. A little way above us was a beautiful mosque that was lit up like a temple and stood out like one as well. After getting to know us a little bit, he asked us if we had seen the mosque. When we responded in the affirmative, he then told us that was the place where he went to pray and asked us if we prayed. I don't think he was expecting us to tell him that we prayed every day, but shortly after that, his uncle came over and recited a piece of the Qur'an for us. It was very beautiful and about missionary work. He was just doing his Muslim duty to try and make sure that the ignorant foreigners had a chance to be saved. What would the world be like if everyone had the same type of concern for everyone else? Dang good. That's what it would be like.

=)

Quote for the day:
LIFE is not easy for any of us, but it is a continued challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful and to be strong, so that those who depend on us may draw strength from our example.
~Unknown