MARLA'S MUSINGS COLUMN: Moe, an American teen
By Marla Buchanan
In 1987, I met and married a Muslim man from Damascus, Syria. Salim came to America on a student visa, and was working as an assistant manager at the Chalet Motel, in Dixon, Illinois. In 1988, we had a son, Mohamad, who we named (as was the custom for a first-born son) after my father-in-law.
In the Arabic-speaking world I would forever be known as "Umm Mohamad" (mother of Mohamad). This is an especially honorable title in the Arab world, as Aminah, the mother of Islam’s prophet Muhammad, is also referred to as "Umm Muhammad."
My first name (Marla) translates into Arabic as "Maryam," who was also mentioned in the Qur`an (Islam’s holy book) as Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Despite what most non-Muslims think, Jesus is held in the highest regard by Muslims, (as are all of the Hebrew prophets) they just don’t believe that Jesus was God.
I am not a Muslim, but for most of my marriage I lived and dressed like one. I began to dress in Islamic "Hijab" (scarf covering my hair; long sleeves, and skirts) early in my marriage. I did this to please my new husband, and also as a desperate attempt to grow closer to God. I began to take classes at The Mosque Foundation, in Bridgeview, Illinois.
These classes were for American-born women, and they consisted of Arabic language, and Islamic religion.
Salim, and I divorced in 1994.
I cast away the veil after my divorce, but I would find myself picking it up, now and then, during a long and arduous struggle to find my life’s meaning, and spiritual rest.
My son, Mohamad ("Moe"), is 13, now. He is a seventh grade student in Earlville, Illinois. He likes Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Disturbed, and other similar rock groups. His favorite food is Buffalo Wings. He loves skateboarding, and playing his Playstation games. I interviewed him for this column to get his perspective on our nation’s recent tragedy.
How did you feel when you heard about the terrorist attacks on America?
"Shocked, but not surprised, because it has been done before by the same people."
How did you feel when you heard of the acts of violence being committed against Arabs in this country?
"Disappointed, because people are blaming other people that had nothing to do with it, and probably didn’t believe in doing such a crime."
Do you feel any fear considering you are half Arabian, yourself?
"No, because of the town we live in, which is a hick town, most kids don’t even know what the Middle East is."
Do your classmates know that you are part Arabian?
"No. It’s none of their business. They just think that people in Chicago name their kids "Moe"."
How do you feel when you hear people refer to Arabs as being "Sand Devils," or "Towel Heads"?
"Sad, I guess, because people are making fun of other people who didn’t have a choice of where to be born, or who to be related to."
What do you think should be done to punish the guilty parties?
"We should do what their holy book (the Qur`an) says—they should be punished for murder."
If you were President, what would you do?
"I would ask Afghanistan to give us a murderer, Osama Bin Laden, dead or alive. [This is ] so he can be dealt with like any American who committed a heinous crime—by trial, and then punishment. If he is found guilty, he should be executed by the electric chair, or firing squad like they do in the army in war time."
Some Religious Teachings Against Murder:
"Do not take life—which God has made sacred—except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority to demand retribution; but let him not exceed the bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped by the law." Qur`an 17:33 (Islam)
"You shall not kill." Exodus 20:13 (Christianity and Judaism)
"The essence of right conduct is not to injure anyone; one should know only this, that non-injury is religion." Naladiyar 14-15 (Jainism)
"He who takes his own or another’s life becomes an outcaste." Apastamba Dharma Sutra 1.10.28.17 (Hinduism)
"Whoever, seeking his own happiness, harms with the rod other pleasure- loving beings, experiences no happiness hereafter." Dhammapada 131 (Buddhism)
Amen. (And if anyone should ever think of harming my child, may their god help them).