Conversation with Douglas

Dear Zahid.

As the United States winds down for its Thanksgiving, I thought I’d take a moment to thank you for our ongoing professional association. Our business is entirely dependent on the quality of our international relationships; we’re grateful for our personal ties.

In America, Thanksgiving has long resisted commercialization. One reason may be the ecumenical nature of the holiday. The official designation actual dates to 1863, a particularly tumultuous year in American history, starting with Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves in American territories and winding through the Battle of Gettysburg, considered by historians to be a key turning point in the Civil War.

Celebrating a day of thanks―despite the absence of a federal holiday―can be traced back almost 400 years in the New World. Conventionally, the opportunity to set aside a time for reflection dates to 1621, although historical documentation is sketchy. New England’s Pilgrims and Puritans began to formalize an annual harvest festival at that time, with attendant Christian reflection. Such harvest festivals are common in cultures worldwide.

On a personal note, my family commonly recognizes those less fortunate over this weekend. My wife is taking responsibility at a women’s drug rehabilitation center; I’m setting aside time to volunteer at a local school for the deaf. To recognize the multicultural aspects of this holiday, the Hadith in particular explains that Allah multiplies what we give.

Thank you for your ongoing encouragement. I welcome the opportunity to read of any touchpoints you may have with the spirit of Thanksgiving .

Best wishes, Douglas.

Dear Douglas,

When I was at residential school many years ago we had American Peace Corp teachers. They were decent friendly persons far removed from the ugly Americans image conjured from latter days. I could never reconcile that unpleasant image with all the Americans I met so far in my life.

Pleasant and friendly people to people relations are sometimes hijacked by devious agenda. Why Americans must be made to feel anger against Muslims was one of the secret Agenda that had to and had been successfully implemented by hidden hands.

Rachel Corrie is the true bridge of the American hearts and the Muslim hearts.

Forgive me for stealing your Thanksgiving moments with heart wrenching thoughts that I could not pretend not to exists as Americans say thank you for their good fortune.

Douglas, you and I, Americans and Muslims, must regain what was hijacked from us by interests which are of no concern to us.

With best regards to you and family,
Zahid

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To: googlegroups.com
From: zaziz@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:24:58 +0000
Subject: And We Sit With Rage

Sunday, November 18, 2012

And We Sit With Rage

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

And We Sit With Rage