You say that, but what do you really mean?

Words all too often stop us from communicating. The same words can vastly different things (just ask my sister who told her English in-laws that she fell on her fanny [see here for what she meant and what they thought]).

In a similar vein, I thought that this article in the CSM is very interesting:
10 terms not to use with Muslims :

• The Clash of Civilizations.
• Secular.
• Assimilation.
• Reformation.
• Jihadi.
• Moderate.
• Interfaith.
• Freedom.
• Religious Freedom.
• Tolerance.

I'm a little surprised that "crusade" wasn't on the list. I guess that the author assumes that we know that one already. Read the whole thing.

America's First Muslim Congressman Visits Iraq

Keith Ellison, America's only Muslim Congressman and a vocal critic of the war, was in Iraq over the weekend and was interviewed about the trip by USA Today:

"[The Iraqi sheikhs that he met] were very upset and concerned that al-Qaeda is misrepresenting Islam... And they were talking to me about what I can possibly do to work with them to give a clearer, more accurate picture of what Islam is all about."

Ellison said he would assist in any way he can. He is already helping a State Department outreach effort aimed at improving the image of the U.S. in the Muslim world.

Improving the image of Muslims in the eyes of the US and the image of the US in the eyes of Muslims cannot happen soon enough. I wish him luck.

Ellison said that local leaders in Ramadi told him of how they partnered with U.S. and Iraqi military officials to virtually rid al-Qaeda from the city. Although the lawmakers had to travel in flak vests and helmets, "we did see people walking around the streets of Ramadi, going back and forth to the market."

There have been fewer anti-U.S. sermons as the violence has been reduced, Ellison said, and religious leaders meet regularly with U.S. military officials....

Ellison said he was particularly impressed watching Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskin, U.S. commander in the Anbar province, greeting people with "as-salama aleikum," meaning peace be upon you.

"And they would respond back with smiles and waves," Ellison said. "I don't want to overplay it. There were no flowers. There was no clapping. There was no parade. But there was a general level of respect and calm that I thought was good."

Islam and English

I have a Muslim friend who used to live in the US. One day we were talking about living here and living there. He brought up the fact that his son, who was born in the US and doesn't know Arabic very well, in some ways has more trouble here spiritually than in the US. There, the weekly sermon was in English, so his son could understand and learn, whereas here he doesn't understand what is being said. It doesn't seem likely that he is the only one that this has happened to.

So I thought that this announcement that there will be one mosque in Abu Dhabi where the sermon will be in English is good news for those in that situation, at least for those living there.

How much do you know about Islam?

I found this interesting quiz on the BBC website while looking for something else. I got 9 of 10 - I would have gotten all 10 but I misread one question.