tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post2441503178777805764..comments2023-09-26T02:31:13.244-07:00Comments on Sabria's Out of the Box: Study of philosophy makes my faith strongerSabria Jawharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18201180678460647389noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-69357387463252792272008-07-15T19:56:00.000-07:002008-07-15T19:56:00.000-07:00Assalaamu 'alaikum.I'm not sure if you actually re...Assalaamu 'alaikum.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if you actually read your comments but here goes.<BR/><BR/>I'm a student, originally Christian/Agnostic who is now studying Arabic and some Islam in Saudi right now. So you could probably say that I'm sorta the opposite of you (as far as circumstances are concerned, not necessarily outlook).<BR/><BR/>What I wanted to say though is that it sounds almost as if you're viewing your religion as a cultural thing that was handed down to you, and that you need to hold on to. Rather than something that you chose because you believe that it's right. This may not be the case, but it <B>is</B> how it sounds to me.<BR/><BR/>In light of that, assuming that you're muslim by choice, and muslim because you really believe that it's the truth. I just wanted to slip you a word of advice (if it's ok for me to do so):<BR/><BR/>Ensure that you're well grounded in knowledge of Islam if you're going to introduce those philosophies back home.<BR/><BR/>I agree will you that it's not wise to live in a cocoon without holding your beliefs up to a light and examining them. But if you're sure that Islam is the truth from God, be sure that if you introduce philosophical ideas into naive/inexperienced young minds back in Saudi, that you have the ability to explain the Islamic perspective to your students clearly to avoid confusion in your students.<BR/><BR/>I hope you understand what I'm trying to communicate. I feel as though you may take this as criticism (which isn't bad, but since I don't see critical comments posted I feel as though you don't take it well), or that you may be hypersensitive to men speaking with you on the issue of religion. However, please understand that this is just your muslim brother addressing an issue of concern (to him at least) with the welfare of the muslim ummah in mind.<BR/><BR/>baarakallaahu feeki wa jazaakillaahu khairaa<BR/><BR/>wassalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-32475884695577962062008-06-19T20:44:00.000-07:002008-06-19T20:44:00.000-07:00But what does that say about us? Should we remain ...<I>But what does that say about us? Should we remain in a protective shell and wrap our arms around our wrong beliefs about the world as if they were precious stones?</I><BR/><BR/>What it says is that Muslims fear scrutiny of their belief system. They're simply not used to having their ideas or methods questioned. In the West, everything is subject to intellectual examination. This is why the internet is so vitally important. It is a marketplace of ideas and an area where everything gets aired out.<BR/> <BR/>Your example of the rescue squad in California treating the woman is a small practical application of this concept. It shows that at some point (possibly in the distant past) the public was dissatisfied with the treatment of patients. They demanded answers and accountability and service for their taxes paid or money spent. They challenged authority and asked questions. The ambulance company responded with training to its employees and procedures to improve their efficiency and care.<BR/>This kind of change does not happen on its own. It only comes about with freedom. The freedom to express dissatisfaction with a problem. The freedom to dissent. The freedom to speak one's mind to people in position of authority. That's a main difference between your Saudi email writers and Western thinkers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-64594445512514750442008-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:002008-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:00I read your subject today about philosophy, it was...I read your subject today about philosophy, it was fantastic, I feel you are a good teache and a good humanbeen,please when you come back ,be strong and tell your students the truth , just the truth,we need you to give our women their rightd, thanks again,God with you where ever you go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-77321710979591990062008-06-18T08:34:00.000-07:002008-06-18T08:34:00.000-07:00You made my day ... week ... month .. year . again...You made my day ... week ... month .. year . again I am proud to be your fan friend brother father uncle ...so whatever ...you deserve the best support & attention ... u r the lady of education & philosophy ... your article today was my fresh breeze with high doze of oxygen in our Jeddah away from PVPV SHAMEFUL STORIES OF STONE AGES GROWING IN THE LOCAL MEDIA. your article is superb ...for days when muslim elite can be scientist ,poet , writer as well humanbeing with strong faith & wisdom dedication ..one man or woman .. well talented and diversified ... not afraid from learning and exchanging ideas & getting involved in healthy professional intellectual debate about any thing ... let our minds be free to think not to obey blindly under the fear of the sword .... ok I agree not all of us are talented to enjoy same level of freedom ... every thing is relative ... the only absolute fact is Allah as well the greatest mind is the creator ....because some of us the full freedom corrupts them & leads them to the wild zoo to compete with animals away from humanity ... I pray for your success in your PHD since I can claim what-so-ever by supporting your mission in open minded education system . I don't interfere with your faith which is your private direct relation with Allah the most mercifulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-86894797355819660642008-06-18T08:33:00.000-07:002008-06-18T08:33:00.000-07:00IM NOT GOIN TO SAY IM IMPRESSED BUT TRULY ITS A CH...IM NOT GOIN TO SAY IM IMPRESSED BUT TRULY ITS A CHANGE THAT SOMEONE HAS TAKEN A STEP TOWARDS BRINGING AWARENESS AMONG PPL IN THIS COUNTRY. I RETURNED TO ARABIA AFTER 10 YEAR, N ALL I OBSERVE IS THINGS HAVE GONE FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE. ITS SAD THAT IN A SACRED PLACE LIKE THIS THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OF RACISM N SEXUAL ABUSE I READ IN THE DAILY PAPER PRACTICED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THEN THIS GENTLEMAN HAS AN ARTICLE IN TODAYS PAPER ABT HOW ARABIA IS BETTER IN TERMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS THEN MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD WHICH I WOULD DISAGREE TO. ONE SHOULD ASK THE LABOURERS WHO WORK IN THE HEAT, I READ AGAIN AN ARTICLE IN TODAYS PPR ABT A STRIKE BY SOME GROUP OF PPL WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PAID N NOT BEEN GIVEN VACATION ETC. HONESTLY I DONT KNW WHERE THE WHOLE PRINCIPLED ISLAMIC WORLD IS HEADED. WHITE PPL ADMIRE WHAT V HAVE IN OUR HOLY BOOK N PRACTICE IT SILENTLY WHERE V HAV LOST OR ROOTS N CULTURE. THERE IS SO MUCH HAPPENING IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD BUT IS KEPT UNDER THE SHADOW. EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTS N SOCIETY, ITS UR CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR UR COUNTRY AS U WILL B CAPTIVATED ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. I DONT WANT TO DIRECT U TO A PATH WITH STRICT RACIAL COLLECTION BY STANDING FOR THE NAME OF UR PPL'S WELL BEING. BUT ATLEAST DIRECT UR PPL TO GET PROPER EDUCATION SO THEY CAN HAVE SOME WISDOM TO JUDGE WHAT IS RIGHT N WATS NOT. ITS SAD BUT TRUE. KEEP IN MIND, I READ IN UR ARTICLE ABT PPL NOT APPRECIATING U, ITS A HARSH PATH AHEAD. CHOOSE TO LEAVE IT NOW OR LEARN TO WALK ON A NARROW ROAD BUT THEN DONT BITCH ABT LIFE BEING TOUGH ON U! DONT ALLOW OTHERS GET A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT BY TRYING TO BREAK U DOWN ON UR ROAD TO SUCCESS. KINDLY DONT PUBLISH WHAT OPINION PPL RECITE OR HOLD ON UR WORK.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com