While walking downtown on a snowy Saturday afternoon I came across three men handing out pamphlets under an umbrella that read "Free Information on Islam". I walked past them, but then turned around and came back realizing that I had never really had a theological conversation with a Muslim before. Sure, I've read a lot about Islam and have watched lectures about it, but I wanted to speak to another human being who truly believes in its claims. A lot of atheists like to make fun of or belittle religious people, but I think everyone deserves respect. Religion needs to be discussed, not mocked.
I approached their kiosk as the cold wind snapped across my face and said, "Hi! What is all this?" A younger man with a beard handed me a pamphlet and said, "Free information on Islam, have you heard about it before?" I smiled and said "Yes, I have." He laughed and said "Ah, so you live in this world!" (meaning there has been a huge spotlight on Islam for quite awhile now)
The man was about my age, maybe a bit older and was white. The other men had darker skin and did not speak English. So, I directed my questions to him.
"Well, I have a lot of questions for you. First, how do you feel about how Islam has been portrayed in the media?"
"It's a real shame. You know, controversy sells right, so people in the media paint Islam in a negative light for ratings or whatever. It's really misunderstood. People generalize about Islam based on a handful of violent people, that's why we're here today so that people can see what Islam is really about."
"Well, what about jihad? That's in the Quran right?"
"Well, jihad means 'struggle'. Like, here today, we are standing out in the cold for hours handing out pamphlets and it's a struggle. But we do it for Islam. But, jihad can be meant in other ways too, for instance if someone invades our countries and tries to change our values and beliefs, then we will call for a jihad then as well."
"What about women in Islam? For example, I recently read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's memoir where she talked about domestic abuse and the subjugation of women in Islam."
An annoyed look took over his face at the mention of this former Muslim's name.
"About her, I won't even really comment. Basically, she took her own negative experiences and used them to generalize about Islam as a whole. There are some other women doing the same thing where they take their own personal stories and use them as ammunition against Islam. But, as far as the status of women goes, men and women are seen as equal. However, we believe that they have different roles since they are made up differently physically and psychologically. Women are their own independent selves and men are expected to provide for them and their family."
"Okay, I have another question for you. How would you react if, say, your brother decided he didn't believe in all of this anymore and that he was renouncing God?"
"Well, first of all, I don't have a brother. But, if I did, this would mean he wasn't a true Muslim. We believe that God is the Creator, he is everything. Life would be worthless without him and believing in him."
"So you think that life would have no value without believing in God?"
"Yes, absolutely. Like me, for example. I was baptized a Christian, but the beliefs about the Trinity never made much sense to me. Eventually, I left Christianity and didn't believe in God at all. But then, I learned about Islam and it all just made sense. I said, God if you are there show yourself to me, and he did."
"And how did God reveal himself to you?"
"Just by observing the beauty and the balance of the Universe, there's just no way that there isn't a Creator. There are so many complex and beautiful things in this world that there just has to be a God, I don't think that we just came from nothing, that we're the products of a chemical reaction."
"Well, I don't really agree that life would have no value without believing in God."
"Well, on an individual level, what is the point of life then? If there is nothing after you die, then life is meaningless."
"Well, not really. By knowing that this is my one shot at life and that there isn't some kind of paradise waiting for me after I die, I live to the fullest every day."
"Exactly, so people just do whatever they want, when they want, with no regard for others because there's no higher power or ultimate goal."
"Not exactly. I am loving towards others because I truly care for other people and if everyone just did whatever they wanted all the time, we would destroy ourselves. I take care of the planet and of others so that future generations will benefit."
We continued to talk for a bit more, but I realized how late it was and had to be on my way. I picked up several of their pamphlets (with titles like "Unveiling the Mystery: Hijab", "Life After Death" and "Status of Women in Islam") and thanked him for talking to me. I put out my hand and the man that I had been speaking with moved back saying "This is something we don't do in Islam. Men and women don't touch until they're married." I smiled, pulled back my hand and said "At all??" They laughed and an older man said "She's the first one!" (I'm assuming he meant that I was the first person to offer to shake their hands) So, I put my hand to my heart and bowed saying "Thank you so much for speaking with me. Bye!" I walked away feeling uplifted and enlightened. I truly recommend everyone to engage in respectful conversations with religious people. It reinforced my non-belief while also allowing me to connect with another human being whose whole life revolves around belief.
I left with the man's card indicating he is the Vice President of the Canadian Dawah Association. He explained to me that Dawah means a place where people can share their beliefs and values with others. No one pushes their beliefs on others, it's a forum for people to share ideas. They have a website:
The pamphlets also have a website:
And a phone number:
1-877-WHY-ISLAM
I hope to stay in touch with this man, as well as attend one of these Dawah meetings.
I will let you know how it goes.
Also, isn't it interesting how many converts there are to different religions? Especially people who might have 'fallen off the right path' (ie, getting into drugs or drinking, etc.). They 'find God' and completely change their lives. What is so appealing about God to people who have 'lost their way'? It provides hope, comfort, answers. When people can't deal with life, they turn to God because he says "Don't worry, everything will be alright."
What do you think?
