I have ring envy. It’s a lot like having baby envy except totally different. I’ve noticed lately as I people watch (I can do this finally because I’m now in a city where cattle do not outnumber people) I immediately take note of their ring fingers and whether or not they are married. And, no not the men only, but more so the women: their bling is more blinding. I’m joking. I totally respect the sanctity of the institution of marriage. Rings are symbolic of commitment.
Monday night. 11:34pm. The inhabitants of a house are panicking. The heavens are crying. The ground is shaking. Loud crashing noises. Sirens going off. Lights in the sky make it look like its 2:30pm in the afternoon. No men in the house, just women and children.
A dimly lit flame danced atop a candle in the evening breeze. It was all that separated those in the gathering from complete darkness on that moonless night. The Storyteller seemed to float above the fog-covered ground, taking a seat in front of his already captivated audience. Four young men, or perhaps they would be called boys in our world, settled themselves in anticipation of the fable that was about to be woven into their minds like a loom that slowly gives birth to a new exquisite rug.
"Where is Nestor?" the Storyteller unexpectedly grumbled.
I came upon a house so high
It hurt my neck to see it all, sigh
Its magnificence was there to behold
Its glory was overt though it was old
But I just shook my head
And then I walked on.
I came upon a car so wide
A family of ten would easily ride
It dominated the roads and the bridges
It crossed easily even the steepest ridges
But I just shook my head
And then I walked on.
INTRODUCTION
Countries do prosper except with the help of its citizens and religion does not gain strength except with its followers. The Muslim Youth are future of this Ummah, they are the torch bearers and flag bearers of this Deen. When Muslim youth are rightly guided then by default future society is on right guidance. So, Muslim Youth has major role to play in reforming the society.
Pearls of Iraq
Islamic Peacebuilding, Part One and Two
(End Notes to be posted...at the end)
I have received emails asking about Islamic peacebuilding. Therefore over the next few posts I will explain some of the paradigms and theories behind Islamic peacebuilding and dialogue versus Western traditional frameworks. Some of this material will be taken from my Master’s thesis, “Iraq International Educational Leadership Role in Dialogue, Nonviolence and Peacebuilding Initiatives.” This paper directly answers the question; it may raise more questions and was combination of six years of committed research and practice. I am not an Islamic scholar, but relied on the advice of Islamic scholars and other Muslim scholars. I ask Allah and readers to please forgive me in advance if there are any errors, as I am only human. This was written in love and dedication to my Iraqi people whose strength through difficult times never seems to waiver.
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