Safa means tranquil, serene, calm…I try

Quel was asked 5 Questions by another blogger and in turn offered to ask 5 questions of other bloggers who asked to be interviewed in her comments section. I asked! OMG, her 1st question was a doozy!

Q1. Why have you embraced the Muslim faith?
A. I come from a family of Baptists and Pentacostals (I think). My parents were not church-goers (except on Sundays when my dad would blast gospel out of his boombox). My mother sent me to church with the neighbors. I would go to church on and off and always felt like something was missing. I never bought into the idea that God had children/a son. Also, the various clergy and church-folk I encountered left me with more questions. I continually read on different religions (because I always believed in a God). During college I tried Buddism and other sects of different religions but always returned to Islam as the one that made the most sense to me. I believed in many tenets of the religion but would not commit because I had the perception that women were oppressed and plus I LOVED my hair too much to cover it up! Needless to say, I got older, actually talked to practicing muslims, and learned more. I discovered that most of what’s shown on TV and believed by most westerners is not true of Islam. This portrayal of muslims is usually muslims who follow their cultural/tribal dictates and really don’t understand their religion. The idea of worshipping one God without partners or associations, that He is the Creator of everything and that I need only ask him directly, appealed to me. Once I acknowledged my belief in that, everything else fell into place. Not to say that there aren’t adjustments and things I struggle with, but I know and have faith that God is all wise and that it will benefit me in the hereafter. Just for the record I am a sunni muslim (I guess orthodox…ya know, when Macolm discovered true Islam).

Q2. How did you discover blogging?
A. That’s funny. I had heard about blogging a few years ago and really didn’t get the fascination. Tv Land had a marathon of Good Times and I wanted to find out the name of this song that Michael sung on one episode. So I googled the show and Nikki’s blog came up. I read her posts and comments and decided that I wanted to blog! I have been blogging since August 2005 and love it. What’s even funnier is the fact that TV viewing was related to my discovery of blogging and now we haven’t owned a TV in well over a year! Yup, no tv in our home at all.

Q3. If you won 20 million dollars in the lottery, would you continie to work/own or operate a business or live a life of 100% pure leisure?
A. Well, muslims don’t gamble or play lotto. However…if someone dropped 20 million dollars in my lap, I would chill at home with the kids for a about a year and then cabin fever would probably kick in. I’d probably work part-time doing basket weaving LOL!!!

Q4. Have you ever met a blog buddy in person?
A. No. I haven’t met a blog buddy in person but there are a few bloggers in the DC area who I wouldn’t mind meeting.

Q5. If your child wanted to practice a religion different from yours, would you accept it?
A. Hmmm…good question. Well let me preface my answer by saying this. Islam is such an all encompassing religion that it is more a way of life…from the way you eat to the way you wipe your behind LOL! Since my children are born muslim and their every action is mainly led by their belief in Islam (well my 5 year-old particulary as the baby is a baby), it’ s hard to imagine him practicing another religion. I could see him not practicing at all before apostating to another religion. Most muslims may slack in their religious obligations but even if you met a homeless crackhead on the street (as I did one night), he will not hestitate to give the greeting of salaams (peace) and explain that he’s not practicing right now. Now, to answer your question, I would not agree with it. However, I would have no choice but to acccept it. However, I would pray that my child seeks guidance above all else.