"FEM" got over 1.6k members somehow connected altogether via this closed FB group, yet all these families are of different backgrounds, social and educational levels, but above all religion!! I totally respect my members and I'm so grateful that all of them, in return, proved to be respectful trustworthy and friendly members :) Not once did I face a single personal comment attacking religion, in general, even though we are living in an extremely stressful community fueled up by daily news on religion!!
Yes this might be Another personal blog...
It's also a very sensitive topic that some even consider it a "Taboo' to talk about!
I'm not going into the true meaning, aspects, origins, reason or philosophy of religion. I'm just speaking out loud to share my voice and wishes..
It's also a very sensitive topic that some even consider it a "Taboo' to talk about!
I'm not going into the true meaning, aspects, origins, reason or philosophy of religion. I'm just speaking out loud to share my voice and wishes..
Even saying the word "religion" worry me.....
"TRUE RELIGION is....living with ALL one's SOUL, with all one's GOODNESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS" Albert Einstein
I was brought up in a mixed environment and lived all my life among all sorts of people not knowing we were categorized or labeled under different religion titles...till I turned 10years old and during our civil war!!
"TRUE RELIGION is....living with ALL one's SOUL, with all one's GOODNESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS" Albert Einstein
I was brought up in a mixed environment and lived all my life among all sorts of people not knowing we were categorized or labeled under different religion titles...till I turned 10years old and during our civil war!!
Luckily both my name & family name can be misleading...till people asks from which part of Lebanon I'm originally from??? Thus they can narrow it down & as soon as you add your village name....voila!!!! Your label is complete!! But what for? Will it change how I look? Or how they can talk to me? Will we behave differently? Will our values love and care for one another shifts? Change?!! I never understood the need to know or ask...but I do admit that sometimes I end up doing it unconsciously..as if it's a obligatory or cultural norm!!!
I moved on, carrying my own beliefs building more mixed friends, colleagues, and coworkers during my school years, university, & work. We learned to accept, embrace, respect & admire each other regardless of our different religion...and I even ended up in a mixed marriage!!
Yet... there's always that concerning voice in the back of my head :(
what IF another civil war strikes?
Will my best friends turn against ME?
Will my acquaintances stop befriending me?
Will our families end up in a blood shed? Or Is it possible to live In peace & Harmony?!
Yet... there's always that concerning voice in the back of my head :(
what IF another civil war strikes?
Will my best friends turn against ME?
Will my acquaintances stop befriending me?
Will our families end up in a blood shed? Or Is it possible to live In peace & Harmony?!
I remain skeptical because of all the headlines I keep reading on the news... All the bombarded media about the ugly ongoing dirty painful and stupid war under the name of GOD?? With no exceptions to any party country or nationality involved!! Personally & simply, I will not favor, encourage, or justify a "WAR" when people killing each other and being ultra religious or racist with no humanity or values to anyone!!
But that's not the story now....as a mother I look at the future with huge concern...
I worry what it holds for me and my kids!! These are our precious little cargo...I look at them playing joyfully cheerfully and carefree with their best friends of all different religions and I smile!! Maybe there's still a hope!! After all...I'm raising the future generation. And so are all of you... We might have a huge influence before media or any other uncontrolled factor steps in and I form them of the labels!! We can educate them to love all their friends unquestionably...to totally respect their religious background... To fast & pray with ALL...& it will be even better, an added bonus if we don't say the naming as it will automatically label the other person!!
I worry what it holds for me and my kids!! These are our precious little cargo...I look at them playing joyfully cheerfully and carefree with their best friends of all different religions and I smile!! Maybe there's still a hope!! After all...I'm raising the future generation. And so are all of you... We might have a huge influence before media or any other uncontrolled factor steps in and I form them of the labels!! We can educate them to love all their friends unquestionably...to totally respect their religious background... To fast & pray with ALL...& it will be even better, an added bonus if we don't say the naming as it will automatically label the other person!!
I love it when we are out on a play date, and my son starts calling out loud for his best buddies: George, Adam, Ali, Timmy, Malek, John & Peter... You could directly see people's head turning around with a raised eyebrow!! Yes these are some of my kids best buddies!! Yes I like to call them "We7deh Watanieh" and I love watching them all together....
I will do my best that they stay friends as much as possible...to raise my kids without labeled or predefined religion but more with spirituality!!
So that they remain careless of the others background.. that they will never label or look or even think differently of one another...in the end we all pray for the same GOD...how and when we do it is not important...how we treat the others is what matters!
My RELIGION is SIMPLE:
It's all about respect, empathy, values, good manners, kindness, trust, love, and care...that's our religion :)
I'd like to wish all my dearest best friends, cool Mamas and families, Ramadan Kareem..May this holy month be a blessing on all!!
I will do my best that they stay friends as much as possible...to raise my kids without labeled or predefined religion but more with spirituality!!
So that they remain careless of the others background.. that they will never label or look or even think differently of one another...in the end we all pray for the same GOD...how and when we do it is not important...how we treat the others is what matters!
My RELIGION is SIMPLE:
It's all about respect, empathy, values, good manners, kindness, trust, love, and care...that's our religion :)
I'd like to wish all my dearest best friends, cool Mamas and families, Ramadan Kareem..May this holy month be a blessing on all!!
