the real jihad

for those who don't know, I'm taking an Islamic history class, focusing on the horn of Africa

(Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti):

I took it because I didn't really know much about Islam aside from what I hear in church and get from what can be a heavily tendentious Christian perspective. My class as it turns out is taught by a Muslim and it's been enlightening to learn Islamic history from that perspective. One novel Sweetness In The Belly, written by British Islamic scholar Camella Gibb, specifically focuses on Islamic Sufi culture (a kind of sect-like, saint-worshiping type manifestation of Islam--very prevalent in the horn of Africa). But the overall message is true for more orthodox forms of Islam, too. One scene particularly stood out, when the protagonist was talking about the violent "jihads" going on in Northern Sudan during the early 1970s. While the events are fictionalized, they are highly representative. Here's an excerpt:

But then came the Sudan, where Muslims of the north were imposing Islamic law throughout the land, killing the people in the south: Africans, animists, Christians. Three days into the Sudan, somewhere south of Khartoum, Hussein and I had left our camp to gather water from an oasis in the distance. Our guide had remained behind, burying bread dough in the sand, when we heard the explosion. The northern army had apparently marked the divide between north and south with land mines. For the first time in my life, I was made aware of the angry possibilities of Islam. That night, Hussein had reached, uncharacteristically, for my hand. 'This is not the true meaning of jihad," he spoke into the starless dark. "Jihad is the holy war we have within ourselves. That is the meaning below the surface. Our internal struggle for purity," he said with emphasis, pressing his forefinger into his chest. "It is the war of ascendance over our basal instincts. It has absolutely nothing to do with others. The only thing we can have control over is ourselves." I do not deny that there is a violent form of jihad in the world. It clearly does and has harmed the lives of many. But that is not the mainstream belief; it's just the most publicized. I am not a Muslim, but it is of utmost importance to love our brothers and sisters and understand them, rather than stereotype them because of "red-flag" words. Just something to think about... p.s. i don't know why my post's fonts are messed up and i can't make paragraphs...if someone could help me with this, i'd greatly appreciate it...thanks...

a look inside

so today, i woke up just like any other day: rolled out of bed 20 minutes before my first class, threw some clothes on (and kept some that were already matted to me from the day before -__- ), went to the bathroom to make sure my hair didn't look like i just got out of bed, only to put a hat over my head to avoid any chance of being spotted as a non-showerer-in-the-morninger. but as i got down my stairs feeling tired/depressed/not wanting to go to school, it went off in my mind "HEY" and then i said out loud, "HEY! YOU'RE NOT THAT TIRED. STOP ACTING DEPRESSED AND ENJOY TODAY." And really right after that, I felt different, more awake and more ready to actually smile today heh. I realize the first words i say during the day are mostly to other people after nearly half an hour of being awake. Really, i should have those words with myself, with God. beause then i dont fall into the machine of everyday living, or as dr. ben might call it man's "default." And this is just such a basic battle that makes such a big difference in the day. Why don't i want to be awake? why don't i want to live today? man...i realize life is so awesome; i should value every moment of it. it's sort of been on my mind for a while, and i guess im finally glad that it was manifest in some form of action today. but i've been thinking a lot these past few weeks about my soul, because of our sunday service messages. my soul is something that God owns. and really, when i pray/commune with God, its soul with soul, spirit with spirit. what i really am is a soul encased in a fleshly body. but when i come face to face with God, it will be my soul, and i will be asked to bring an account of my life as a soul who just happened to be stationed on earth for a few years. in one message, we heard about God planting a vineyard. and the vineyard isn't just Israel or the world, but it's my very soul too. and he expects it to bear good fruit. he has every reason to. after all, he built it with the best stuff (and even got rid of the crumby stuff too, see Isa 5:2). so i shouldn't live with such a dumb attitude. wow, i'm alive, and with God i can live it in the best way with the best soul. man...in light of God, i've really got to start enjoying life, and for the simple fact that there is too much of God not to enjoy. i can't ignore Him.