Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Teachings
Despite modern connotations with fundamentalism and the violent beginnings of Islam in
the Peninsula itself, Islam is an inherently peaceful creed. The word 'Islam' means 'sub-
mission', or 'self-surrender'. It also means 'peace'. Taken as a whole, Islam is the attain-
ment of peace - with self, society and the environment - through conscious submission to
the will of God. To submit to the will of God does not just entail paying lip service to God
through ceremony, but through all daily thoughts and deeds.
The principal teaching of Islam is that there is only one true God, creator of the universe.
Muslims believe that the God of Islam is the same God of Christians and Jews, but that he
has no son or partner and he needs no intermediary (such as priests). Muslims believe that
the prophets, starting with Adam, including Abraham and Jesus, and ending with Mo-
hammed, were sent to reveal God's word but that none of them were divine.
Historically, this creed obviously had great appeal to the scattered people of the Penin-
sula who were given access to a rich spiritual life without having to submit to incompre-
hensible rituals administered by hierarchical intermediaries. Believers needed only to ob-
serve the transportable Five Pillars of Islam in order to fulfil their religious duty. This is
true to this day and is perhaps one of the reasons why Islam is one of the world's fastest
growing religions.
AND YOUR RELIGION IS...?
After exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances on the Peninsula, the conversation inevitably tends towards three
subjects that most Western people shy away from: sex, politics and religion. The level of frankness involved in
some of these discussions can come as a surprise. Forewarned is forearmed, however, and there's no better way of
getting under the skin of a nation than talking about the things that matter most in life.
While all three subjects may seem like potential minefields (don't talk about sex with the opposite gender, espe-
cially if you're male; if you're talking politics, avoid saying 'you' when you mean 'your government'), religion is
the one topic of conversation that takes a bit of practice.
For most Muslims, however, tolerating Christians, Jews (both 'People of the Book'), Buddhists or Hindus is easy
- knowing what to do with a heretic is the problem. Stating you don't believe in God is as good as saying you
doubt the very foundation of a Muslim's life. So how do you say you're an atheist without causing offence? Try
saying 'I'm not religious'. This will likely lead to understanding nods and then, on subsequent meetings, a very
earnest attempt at conversion. Words like 'You'll find God soon, God willing' should be seen as a measure of
someone's like for you and not as a rejection of your 'position'; a reasonable response would be
shukran
(thank
you).
