Wisdom from The Action Wisdom In Action

forget her as a friend. Yes! We've been friends, distance Friendship, no less than 15 years. During this time we never met, except at the beginning when I knew him first as a patient, and six months afterwords.

At first I suspected this one patient Arabs Lebanon, because it looks something like the Lebanese people's Europe. Redness of skin, blond hair, some look gray, blue-eyed, thick mustache, and posture is. Who ever thought the Americans suddenly appeared at the hospital, in the midst of the Arabs? His presence in front of the counter, the ward where I work, the morning that day, automates common greeting me, as health workers to visitors. "Anta maid ...?" (you patient?) I say in Arabic. "I do not speak Arabic!" He replied lightly. "Sorry .." I said sorry. I showed her bed in the corner of the ward. With only having a small bag containing a number of books he immediately lay down on the corner of the room. Eduard suffered urinary system disorders.

There are Spanish blood flow in the body of this man. Confirmed my initial prejudice, from its name, even if Uncle Sam was born on earth. Our meeting occurred in Kuwait, shortly after the Gulf War, the Iraq-Kuwait. Eduard teacher recruitment program in Texas to be placed as a lecturer at the American School of Kuwait. During the inpatient stay, time on the sidelines of an existing vacancy, for example, afternoon or evening service, when Eduard awake, it seems he needs a friend to talk, I see him. Many useful conversations among us. Say sharing, a variety of topics. "Americans do not like what you see in the movies!" He said once when I asked about the condition of his neighborhood in Texas. There are social values that they continue to uphold, whether it is about the use of language or social ethics. Only, as different cultural roots, what applies in another country, can not be enforced there. What was taboo in our country, not necessarily taboo in the United States.

For example, on one occasion Eduard told me, he was invited by his friend, a pair of teachers who will leave Kuwait. I was offered as well. Invited and the invitation to dinner at a restaurant in down town, Kuwait City. Of course I am happy. It's just that I do not understand, when before leaving Eduard give me some money to pay the bill for dinner tonight. "Said was invited to eat? Koq prepare all the money paid? "I asked myself. I doubt missed when the four of us had finished eating. Apparently, although we are invited, should pay its own. Imagine if it happened in our country? It's the difference?

Health problems that befall Eduard, precisely at the prostate, can not be expected to be recovered in a short time. Several times he had to go back to RS, the thing that ultimately makes us more familiar. Sometimes I was invited to apartemenya, was introduced to a fellow teacher from the U.S., among others, and Mr. Ms.Carole. Keith. As far as I know, the American people are certainly not like those in the movies, let alone like George W. Bush, who views 'tilt' of Islam. They are very good in entertaining, open, and polite as his profession, teacher. Mingling with them provide important insights and enrichment experiences for my own life.

Various problems of life we had discussed, cuman not limited to just health and social culture, religion. Once I spoke of Spain, formerly known as Andalusia, Eduard ancestral land, which was answered with a nod of the head when I suggested that they are Islamic people who terkhianati.

In a book entitled The Story of Islamic Spain, by Azizur Rahman Syed (2001), mentioned that the Muslims of Andalusia carving disappeared from there after one of the greatest civilizations in the history of Europe. Their descendants are now no longer exist in Spain, where they lived for many centuries, mutual love our neighbor, dare to fight with the enemy, to create beauty, and idealize science. Even so, remnants of their presence can still be felt today. Eduard, as a teacher who knows the history, listening to silence, when the history of the greatness of the Islamic struggle that led to Spain Tariq ibn Ziyad in 711 AD after I alluded to this. Assent? Wallauhu'alam!

"I know Islam is a religion of good!", A statement that came out when I say that religion as long as this is not true religion. I showed a few small fruit books Ahmed Deedat's work which I hope can contribute readings coloring adventure novel that lined the shelves. I also gave a black skull cap and a glove in Samarinda in memory. From his face I know what he says is an honest statement, not only to make his interlocutor 'happy'. Positive values is what makes me, as a stranger in her eyes, was quite impressed, especially openness to the truth of a religion. He once said "It is still very Difficult for me to apply my religion of Islam to be Among my own people!" I understand exactly what was said, because changing the religion, not as easy as turning his hand!

Eduard statement about Islam is not only limited in the mouth. A few months before we even know him already learned Arabic at the Islamic Propagation Center (IPC), Kuwait City. He said he was the only American who attended a course there. I see the Arabic course books. He learned to write and assemble starting from Alif, Baa, Tha ... until Yes'.....! Style of writing reminds me when a new study assesses the first months at home in our village Kyai Arif. Know the style of Arabic writing children's right? As a beginner, full of graffiti, like learning to write the first time. Eduard chuckled when I mentioned how children learn to write arabic in Indonesia in madarasah. Just try me a religious teacher, perhaps I can help teach him.

"I know, Prophet Jesus is not God," he said. "I do not worship him!" He continued. "Why do not you just convert to Islam?" I asked wanting to know more deeply. It seems I have been 'signed' too deeply into the side of his personal life for most Westerners really is personal and we do not need outsiders to intervene. Again, my intention is not to interfere with his personal affairs. As a Muslim I do not want people like him who basically want to open his heart to accept the truth, sink further into error. Maybe he needs a little 'encouragement'. What I realized is in spite of the guidance can only come from Allah, our job is to convey the message, however only one paragraph.

Unfortunately, my intention was not accomplished. Eduard hurried back to her native country. Fly with KLM, the transit in the Philippines before continuing his trip to Los Angeles, the base where he had landed the first time before going back to Texas. While in the Philippines, a month there, our correspondent goes on. At least two times the letter I received from Baguio, cool city in the country Mrs.Arroyo tourist destination. Eduard there is about still felt they experienced urinary tract disorders, which some times bleeding.

Currently classified as old age, say grandfather made an average size of our people. Age factor was not made retroactive Eduard interest to continue his studies. Enthusiasm for learning and a high reading. I know when my spare time. Even when cooking in the kitchen, or washing (of course with a washing machine), while reading. A positive value else could I learned from him.

The touching is, when in the culture he must part with his wife. She felt betrayed by a woman originally from Mexico several years before leaving for Kuwait. Even so, "I am strong Enough!" He said without expression of smugness. Americans generally do not hesitate to show the benefits for our people that taboo. Living alone in apartment not a problem, all doing their own work. His son, Jeffrey, currently living with ex-wife and father in law. Jeffrey Eduard visited once a week, usually weekends.

Religious differences that exist among us does not become a barrier to keep friends without having to keep a distance as a fellow human being, His people. Almost 15 years we were friends, during which I have never sent a Christmas card, New Year or greeting of "Happy Birthday to Eduard. He had great respect for my belief, that in Islam we are forbidden to provide such utterances which basically is a prayer. Yet to apply the same treatment in Indonesia, the concept of inter-religious sort of hanging out we could be difficult. Straightforwardness that sometimes feel bitter!

When he was in America, I sent some brochures about Islam. In return, I also sent 'Bible' King James Version, just to add my insights on Catholic doctrine adopted. When Eduard asked me to pray for improvements permanganate system that takes many years, I had time to say "Yes!". I say 'yes' in the sense that I ask God Almighty to be opened the door Eduard hearts by Him. For him to get instructions. In order Eduard conscience of Islam during this burst immediately.

A year after his return from Kuwait and lived in the U.S., he went back to Saudi Arabia, precisely in Dam mam. So, my expectations are not excessive. Edouard learned a lot about the lives of the people of Islam in Arab lands, learning Arabic, reading Islamic books, and knows also some Muslims. "Children are naughty, naughty Arab. But in America our students far more naughty "he said when commenting on the comparison between some teaching experience in the U.S., Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. "However I've seen many good moslems", he admitted without showing an expression of praise. Those Americans on Arab soil generally get the treatment that 'more'. Free health care, lodging house without pay, and tax-free salary is the number of facilities that could have been even harder to find in the U.S.. Divine God! A reasonable excuse if they feel at home in the Middle East.

Unfortunately, a series of experiences is not enough we can use as a platform that Eduard would then be converted to Islam. For me personally, at least, from where I can assume that the image of Eduard against Islam is far from a negative impression. Twice a departure to the Middle East from the U.S. in fact is not merely based on financial factors. If only because of money, in the United Eduard is also a big salary. Instead, it's a positive sign, that people like him just outside of Islam put the 'sympathy', to feel protected and their rights respected by the Muslims when he lived among them. Who knows who has been plucked Eduard experience can be transmitted to his friends, his students, and other American people. That Islam as a religion that loves peace, is not identical with a variety of terrorism that has been much touted by the United States mass media.

Hardy Syaifoel
Shardy@emirates.net.ae

eramuslim