An American Eid

From: Douglas……

Sent: Monday, 28 Jul, 2014 9: 57 AM

To: Zahid Subject : An American Eid

Dear Zahid.

 Eid al-Fitr is not an official holiday in America, but I like to take the opportunity to share Islamic culture with those around me who may not appreciate this important tradition.

 In honor of the occasion—at the local coffee shop where I’m a fixture—I decided to put a small plate of dates on the corner of my table. I was curious about how other customers would react.




From the store manager:

“Doug, you don’t like our own fruit and cheese tray?”

“It’s a special occasion. I’m recognizing Eid, celebrated throughout the Muslim world.”

“I had no idea! Let me put the Yemeni coffee on sale.” 



From the hipster:

“Are you selling dates?”

“No. I’m giving them away to acknowledge the Muslim Eid holiday. Here, take one.”

“But dude, there are no Muslims around here.”




And from the local police captain:

“Hey, are you investing in date production now?”

“I’m merely honoring the Muslim Eid holiday. Dates are big in the Muslim world. Try one.”

“This tastes great. Where’s the mosque? I’ll go buy some. Are they having a sale?”




Eid offers an opportunity to be grateful for community, both near and far. I trust that the season brings joy to your family and friends.



Warmly,

Douglas.




New York, New York 10004


From : Zahid

To : Douglas

Subject : Re: An American Eid

Dear Douglas,

Wonderful gesture!

Pardon me for being too candid with mine. Allow me to share with you below my current Facebook status.

"Ceasefire or upliftment of Gaza seige?

We can have both if the American and European Civil Society can now begin work on getting rid of Zionists pestilence in their democratic system. Or offer a third People Funded Candidate in the next election. As for current Israeli puppet leaders civil disobedience till they begin to act as national leaders and not Israel puppets."

May you regain your wonderful country for your wonderful people soon.

With warmest regards,

Zahid

Belum

Assalamu 'Alaikum

Belum

Sampai ke belum?

Sampai dah? Kemana?

Belum.

Sampai ke belum?

Sampai dah.

Kemana?

Belum.

Isy isy! Sampai ke belum?

Sampai dah.

Kemana?

Belum.

Papa! Sampai ke belum?

Sampai dah………….

You can go crazy with your nine year old daughter on this. It’s a play on the word belum which in Malay means ‘not yet ‘. Belum, the pronoun, is also the name of a royal heritage site on the mountainous East West Highway housing the world’s oldest rainforest reserve. A popular tourist sport with hotels on a man made island, actually a Dam made island, overlooking a man made lake, half way to Kelantan or Perak depending which way you’re heading. You can have fun with your kids on the play on words on whether you have arrived at Belum or belum(i.e.not yet in Malay)! But don’t try with Mama when she ‘s sleepy, might not get much of a response.

Here I am on the hotel balcony overlooking the beautiful fresh water lake contemplating the freshness of a Ramadhan morning a couple of days before Eid, in sya Allah. Contemplating indeed what we have done wrong as a Muslim ummah, or more appropriate what we have not done right. The monsters of Israel outplaying even Adolf Hitler is raining death and destruction on little kids, babies, invalids and the civilian population in Gaza. Patients in hospitals die on their beds not from wounds which put them there, but bombs Israel lands on the hospitals. Geriatric and invalid ‘terrorists’ are also not spared when their old folks and invalid homes are rained carnage by the ‘innocent lambs of Israel’ as they wish to portray themselves to the world.