Every Sunday in Hyde Park, people can take up a corner and speak their minds in Speaker’s Corner. I didn’t stay much because I had to checkout of the hotel, so I stood for few minutes.
I’m open minded about my religion, that is I need to make sense of what I’m receiving, I need to believe in it and I guess that is a problem because I do get lost about things I don’t understand, about things I need to take as is, I don’t mind discussing aspects of my religion as long as it is not insulting or mocking.
I hate the way Islam is represented nowadays as a religion of terror and violence. So many examples of our Prophet Mohammed “عليه الصلاة و السلام” forgiveness and kindness, in the early days of his calling and after Islam prospered across nations and yet people seem to neglect this fact.
Why am I saying this?
There were two men standing representing Islam, one of them looked like “راعي غنم” holding a crocked stick and walking around WTH is that all about, it’d be perfectly fine if you were actually one and had a herd following you! Our prophet called for “حسن المنظر”, it’s not about wearing baggy clothes and letting your beard go wild, tidy it up a bit. The other one related all the world’s problems to alchocol. I might have not stayed longer but all he kept asking people was “what is your religion?” and whatever the answer, if it was not Islam he’d reply “Oh, so your religion is Alcohol”!!!
Is this what Islam is about, No Alcohol. What about let’s say, start at the beginning, the five pillars of Islam!!! And we’ll go from there.
I think to myself then, “Maybe you should’ve said something”. Yeah right, first I have to gather courage to speak in public and not be passionate and emotional and get worked up 
Maybe next time.
I’m observing the way of life here and how people interact, it is not perfect but it is certainly better than how we do it. I can’t help thinking this is what our religion calls for, I like that in Islam we have “الدين المعاملة” and when our prophet said “انما بعثت لأتمم مكارم الأخلاق”, but we don’t practice it, we call for it, but don’t actually make the effort to carry it out.
There was a time when people embraced Islam because they lived amongst Muslims and they saw their way of life. Now … no comment …
Don’t you think if Allah wanted all of us to be Muslims and perfect, then he’d simply say “كن فيكون”.
Publish Bug Update:
So it seems the problem is back!!!
#1 by MBH on January 30, 2010 - 1:23 AM
I would’ve argued the shepherds, I mean preachers. Ahem.
#2 by Haider on January 30, 2010 - 9:31 AM
Memories!
I loved going to that place. Not sure if it was good for my health or not, but definitely thought provoking.
I decided to go on a weekly basis and engage people in discussion because I didn’t want the preachers there representing me, especially since they lack reason and respect. I was constantly told that I was not like the other Muslims.
Very confrontational and they don’t take a second to remotely consider what the other person is saying.
I learned a lot in that place, but I can’t list the lessons here (I’m cutting down on my Haidaments
).
#3 by MBH on January 30, 2010 - 9:33 AM
Haider, cutting down on Haidaments? That’s not healthy for you dude!
#4 by Haider on January 30, 2010 - 9:38 AM
It’s better for YOUR health.
You’re welcome.
#5 by MBH on January 30, 2010 - 9:39 AM
I doubt, really. I don’t read your Haidaments, just the first line of each paragraph
#6 by Bloggylife on January 30, 2010 - 12:36 PM
MBH, I’ll think about it for next time
Haider, giving up your Haidaments already
wAllah good you were a participant, usually I’m not good arguing on the spot, I have to think about it and then reply
#7 by Haider on January 30, 2010 - 1:15 PM
I didn’t actually have a stand. I just walked around and had discussions with people. Without trying to force my beliefs on them or trying to convert them. We’d simply discuss topics and share perspectives.
I would go for people that either had something meaningful to say, or walked away from Muslims who made no sense (which usually meant they were people who had some sense).
And I definitely admitted when I was ignorant. Unlike the Muslims there, who act as if they receive direct revelations from God.
I’m *cutting down* on Haidaments, not abandoning them completely!
#8 by Vinnie on February 1, 2010 - 7:41 AM
Nothing wrong with wanting to rationalize things in our religion
A scientific mind and approach to Islam is always welcome. Of course you won’t have all the knowledge that you’d like to have, but looking critically at Islam makes you appreciate it even more
I wouldn’t have argued w/ them and your doing fine discussing it on your blog imo
#9 by Marzouq on February 10, 2010 - 10:39 AM
In reality a lot of these people are very close minded and don’t think about how to convince people or communicate with people! Islam is a way of life, guidelines to live by, not to drive other people nuts or torture them