Us and Them

In my academic experience Claude Levi-Strauss's social anthropology was that which shaped my eye towards otherness. Among many other, he argued on the irrationality and ignorance about the Other. He de-mystifies it, explaining that there is no correlation between difference and exotism or savagery. He influenced a discussion that lasts until our days, on ethnocentrism, and on imposing our stereotyped representations about others; he opened a road to post-orientalism. Although having contributed to a new paradigm of social and human thought, his science was left to a handful of a modern intellectual elite. Unfortunately, we continue to look at the Other in fear, as exotic, and with a feeling of civilizational superiority. However, what makes this an interesting story is that this Other does not live across the globe anymore; he is a neighbor from across the street. Many times, he is our next-door neighbor. And that is his home.

My commentary makers send me "home" sometimes. I wonder where "home " is?! Is there a land for the Muslims? Or for the Christians; or for any faith groups, for that matter?! Or being Muslim means simply to lead a life, wherever you are, according to principles of an ethical framework of Salaam?

How do you make peace? Very simply by knowing ourselves mutually deeper and better. Knowing for example, that a Muslim does not do Islam the whole day. That she is equally occupied with things similar to the rest of the people. Mainly, that they wish for a quality of life, as any other Christian, Jew, atheist or agnostic. With one important difference that we should appreciate: a Muslim bows down towards divine Creation, and she sees in human beings, in nature, in life experience, the ayats (signs) of God. Thus, when a Muslim says that she does not separate faith from world, this means that it is that same faith, driven by a cosmopolitan ethics, that is projected in his worldly life, spiritually, intellectually and professionally. To link faith and world is to accept that it is faith that stimulates you to lead a worldly life, and that the world is an inspiration to faith, through reflection, thinking, and learning.

One of the millenary missionaries of Shia Islam , who converted most of Central Asian peoples was Nasir Khusraw (d.XI cent.). He used to preach that in order to know God one should know more; much more. I say, if not, then it is difficult to observe God's ayats in humanity.

*A Salaam significa paz