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mail me at iphillips@gmail.com
eat my RSS/XML.
see myspace
Islam in Denver
When I lived in Belleville, Paris, the Muslims living in the apartment next to me were quite religious and I often heard the "Allaabu Akbar" prayers from next door. This wasn't strange, since I had traveled in Islamic countries before. In fact, it seemed normal for Europe and Asia. But I had never lived near many Muslims in the US. Perhaps this was because I lived in a small mountain community, but I think it was fairly normal for the US.Today, only a few years later, Muslims are more and more common in the United States. A few minutes ago, a fully veiled woman walked past my house pushing a stroller. I'm not sure where she was from, but she could have been pulled directly out of the grand bazaar in Istanbul. At first, it didn't even strike me as odd ... But with more reflection, it is a bit shocking. Here in the heart of the US - conservative haven for white Christians - I'm surrounded by Muslims. Here are few experiences I've had since I moved to Denver:
- Ozgun, my former Turkish roommate, was culturally Muslim.
- Many of my class mates are Kuwaiti, Saudi, and Bahraini.
- I frequent several clubs in downtown Denver that are owned by Lebanese and Saudis.
- I eat kebabs, hummus, and other Muslim food at local Muslim owned restaurants regularly.
- On Monday night, I went to a chicha bar where I talked with "Bob" from Tripoli. Though Libya is often regarded as one of the most anti-American states, Bob told me that there is a large Libyan community in Denver. On a side note, he said that all of his university classes in Tripoli were taught from American text books... I found that ironic.
- My recently played music includes Abd al Malik, Cheb Khaled, Killa Hakan, and Neset Ertas - all Muslim artists from Turkey, Algeria, and the Congo.
None of this really seems out of the ordinary ... And I'm living in Denver - smack in the middle of the US. Until now, US interest in Islam and Muslims has been focused on issues in the Middle East: investments in Dubai, the war in Iraq, concern about Iran, Middle Eastern oil prices, etc. Europe on the other hand, is culturally confronted by Islam at home. Mosques, Arabs, Pakistanis, Berbers, and kebabs have been commonplace for years, and the clash of cultural complications are evident. Recent discussion about the film Fitna is one clear example.
I wonder if (or when) the US will have to deal these issues. Will Islamic culture slowly be integrated in American culture, or will there eventually be a clash? Will we have to fight the threat of internally based terrorism (like in Europe)?
Any thoughts?
Labels: culture, denver, the middle east
Muse and Life
I'm sitting in my living room listening to a bit of Serge Gainsbourg... The last month has flown by, and it's hard to believe that my first quarter in Denver is almost over. Ozgun, my Turkish roommate will leave in fifteen days. I have made some amazing friends since I've been here, but unfortunately a lot of them will be leaving in the next month since they're transfer students. Why do my best friends always end up scattered around the world?I've been thinking a lot about balance. How do I balance between my church life and my social/school life. Unfortunately, there's seems to be a great disparity between these two lives. I don't think that's the way it should be: I firmly believe that shouldn't be a separation from our secular lives and from our 'spiritual lives'. How do I reconcile these two lives?
Most Christians seem content to live their 'Christian world' - a safe place with few confrontations and no risk. They listen to soft, kind music and seem to stay within their secure group of friends who all believe the same as they do. While I acknowledge that we all need strong, Christian friends, I think that Jesus lived outside the safety of the religious community. He wasn't afraid to associate with different kinds of people.
I try to bridge these two lives, but it is nothing heroic. I unfortunately get pulled down and become hypocritical. I make bad mistakes that I regret. Should I give up - running back to the false safety of the 'church culture' or should I keep trying to live a godly life in the world? I think a lot about Daniel Bourguet's teaching about the world being our sanctuary and battlefield. He teaches that our place of worship is in the world that so many Christians stay away from, but when I try to practice this, I find myself alone and vulnerable.
Occasionally, I find Christians who manage godly lives in the world. But they always live far away from me ... they prefer to live in other countries and across the oceans. I pray that God would give me good friends who would encourage me to live godly lives, and who would be willing to engage in a conversation with the world, and not just with safe 'Christian' environment.
Sorry for the rambling... I haven't posted much lately, and tonight - a sick boy in my living room, I was in the mood to write and rant about some of my frustrations. The last few weeks have been crazy: church retreat, the Prats in Frisco. I took a group of seven exchange students to Frisco a few weeks ago - which was fun. I quite like Denver, I have met a lot of good people. To be honest, I don't like most of the kids at Denver University - but I have found the most amazing group of friends. An average night at my house can involve Indians, Koreans, Chinese, French people, Italians, English, Venezuelans, Turks, and sometimes some hipped Americans.
Anyway .. I'm sick. So i'm going to bed. Let me know if you're looking for a roommate in Denver.
((une histoire sensuelle et sans suite))
