Comment by Rebecca

February 25, 2006 @ 8:39 pm

Hi

Eman,
I’m so sorry that you’ve been harassed for your faith lately. Thank you for responding with patience and grace.
You are completely right that these people

are not following either Moses or Jesus. Moses’s command, which Jesus called “the greatest commandment”, is “The Lord your God is One God. And you shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind,” and the second is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These people are not loving their

neighbors, and as a result, are not loving God.
I pray that someday Christians and Mulsims will be able to engage in open dialogue leading to true understanding and

appreciation of each other.

Comment by Amelopsis

February 25, 2006 @ 9:22 pm

Eman I’m truly sorry to hear that you’ve been receiving hate mail. That you have, speaks more of the

ignorance of those ‘haters’ than it does of you, as I’m sure you know, but would say so now just in case. (such behaviour can be very disheartening)

I believe that

the Qu’ran specifically instructs, and I cannot see how anyone of any faith, belief or religion would decry, that:
we must accept our differences, understand that there are

risks in these differences, and make the effort to convert the risk into understanding and harmony while respecting our differences.

We cannot respect what

we do not understand. We will fear what we do not understand only if we have no understanding of, or confidence in, our own selves, our own histories.

I

think that those who would spread hate do so out of irrational fear as a result of either a failure or unwillingness to dispell ignorance.

Let us all educate ourselves and

learn to use our heads and our hands to offer Peace, rather than a slap in the face.

Comment by Hamede

February 26, 2006 @ 12:20 am

Good job.

Comment by bilotee

February 26, 2006 @ 1:12 am

if anyone is to rant an explanation,
this is as good as it

gets.

great job.

Comment by Jimbo

February 26, 2006 @ 4:30 am

Ah, that’s where you’ve been. So, besides having day jobs, you and

yours have been defending your religion and culture from hordes of barbarian scum, no doubt many of them my fellow Americans? As you noted, Eman, I can’t apologize

with authenticity for anyone else, though I can do so with deep sincerity, and I do. Sadly, while ferocity and bravery are hereditary, apparently compassion and kindness have

to be learned.

I used to get a lot of hate mail around Presidential election time, and eventually came to regard the senders variously as viruses or lower order

demons, which works for me. But it’s probably a good thing if you’re incapable of such dehumanizing detachment.

I know it’s vexation to the spirit, but if

you can find the wherewithal to keep your English language blog up and running, it would be a wonderful boon to many: you must surely have a lot of readers out here who

admire your passion, decency and bravery—and you may well be the only Muslim they’ve ever encountered. Though it’s “only the web,” your humanity shines

through and touches us all–you remind even the most jaded of us that, as Martin Luther said, “Alle menschen sind bruder.”

Well, if you weren’t a Muslim

and 6,000 miles away, I’d offer you a glass of this excellent Chilean wine. (Luther also said, “Who loves not wine, women and song, Remains a fool his whole life

long.”  )

Hang in there.

Cheers.

Assalamu’alaikum

Comment by salam

February 26, 2006 @ 8:39 am

Nice post,Iman.Well said!

Comment by kimmy

February 27, 2006 @ 12:14 am

As an atheist who is

trying to understand religions and the reasons for violence I have found you website most encouraging as to explanations of Islam. Thank You.
Christianity sites I have

visited condemn Islam.
I just want to understand. I don’t see colour, religion, political leaning, race, or anything else but the person I am talking to.
I haven’t judged

anyone I have dealt with others that their character. And then I usually give that person three tries to be understanding of others.
As a non-believer I try to live my life as

a believer because I believe your code of ethics is the one to live by. I have been the Koran to understand your views. This is an incredible read. I still don’t believe. But it is

the way to feel complete and satisfied with life.

Comment by Medsua

February 28, 2006 @ 12:07 am

Here is the dilemma,

we (Moslems) need to show the difference between the doctorines of the religion and how its followers chose to use it and abuse it, giving it a very bad name.
Here is

another thought, Islam is about 1400 years younger than Christianity. They went through their middle ages, their Calvinism, their blood-endowsed battles civil battles and

formed sects.. We’re going through our evolution.
I refuse to defend some of the senseless massacres that are taking place in the Islamic world, simply because I’m

labeled a Moslem. It’s nauseating what is happening in Iraq bw/ the Shiites and the Sunnis.. And.. to kill over some stupid caricatures… yeah, there’s a statement made for

you.. Sad very sad..
I understand the frustration, but come on now.. My kids drive me nuts sometimes, but if does that justify me beating them senseless?nope (although,

some sicko might nod to that one)..

Comment by bashir

February 28, 2006 @ 8:43 pm

A very good post.

Comment by jmarie

February 28, 2006 @ 10:28 pm

Thank you Eman. An excellent post. Lashing back in anger only brings you to the level of the bashers themselves. It takes much more strength to

continue along your path. Don’t let the haters suck any more of your energy and creativity. The root of anger and hatred is fear.
Let us all continue on a path of peace

and productivity. Leave those angry spiteful people sending negativity and hatemail etc.. to rot in their own fear based misery.

You have found a wonderful forum for

spreading your good work to the world. I send my highest praise and thanks. As usual you offer important, well founded commentary, and thoughtful insight.

Comment by Emina

March 1, 2006 @ 6:21 pm

Thanks for a great post and

btw, I *love* your new design!
I’ve seen the texan you’re speaking about once on TV… I find these people really impressing!

Comment by Omar

March 1, 2006 @ 6:37 pm

I learned a lot actually

Comment by Jimbo

March 2, 2006 @ 12:34 pm

Of possible

general interest is “From Blogger to Published Author” in today’s New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/technology/circuits/02publish.html The software of

which the article speaks may be found at http://www.blurb.com/

No, I don’t get commission.

Comment by Tina

March 3, 2006 @ 6:10 pm

I stumbled upon this by accident. But I just wanted to say don’t

get discouraged. The media only shows the hatred and violence. There are many Christians and Jews who do not believe your religion is based upon hatred and violence.

Many us are are silent and just continue our lives on a peaceful course. We applaud and agree with your peaceful protests. I am a Christian and have seen cartoons

portraying our faith in a hateful way as well.

We are very dismayed at how some Americans act abroad. The majority of Americans have great respect for all people

and and things great and small. And it angers me when politians (democrats and republicans alike) state they speak for the American people. They have forgotten the

American people and only speak along their own party lines.

Unfortunately the media doesn’t see the positives as news worthy and therefore only reports the

negatives. They give the impression that all Muslims or Arabs are violent just as other medias portrays Americans as evil. They conduct surveys and polls using people who

agree with how they think.

Please do not judge all of us Americans based upon the media and the comments you receive from some ignorant people. I am hoping

your definition of your beliefs will help educate all.

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March 4, 2006 @ 12:13 pm

[…]

Eman of AquaCool, has been harassed through email, attacked and offended for being a Muslim. She responds by explaining what does the word Islam mean. […]

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March 4, 2006 @ 3:08 pm

[…] Eman of AquaCool, has been harassed through

email, attacked and offended for being a Muslim. She responds by explaining what does the word Islam mean. […]

Comment by Robin

March 4, 2006 @ 10:03 pm

Eman,
Beautiful post Eman. I’m and American Catholic who WAS married to a Moslem and amicably divorced. I awlays say you can learn the

most about a religion by witnessing those who practice it. My experience was beautiful, and so are you. Please keep up the good work and put yourself out there for all the

world to see instead of the myopic vision we get of Islamic terrorism. There are so many more of you than them, rejoice that many people know that.

Comment by Christian

March 16, 2006 @ 12:57 pm

where are u …

Comment by Nj

March 17, 2006 @ 11:08 am

Hi Eman, where are you? I keep checking your website but there is no new

posts, hope everything is ok.
Wish you the best. Very good work.

Comment by mohamed

March 19, 2006 @ 3:50 pm

Salam sister , you have a very interesting blog , may Allah bless

you, as for the definition of Islam you’re right Islam is peaceful surrender to Allah with sincerity and commitment in order to achieve the spiritual satisfaction and avoid

misguidance.

Comment by Jimbo

March 21, 2006 @ 10:27 pm

where are u …
========================
She may well have gotten tired of the hate mail

and perhaps now only blogs elsewhere in Arabic. And who can blame her? Life is short.

Comment by Ahuebrazil

March 30, 2006 @ 12:22 am

Hi Eman,how are you? I hope you fine.
I like very much of your site, the words that you write here..
I

understand you. The people do mistakes sometimes about Islam. It’s really sad…
Take a care
AB

Comment by Hajar

April 9, 2006 @ 10:57 am

Assalamu alaikum eman,

I hope you’re doing well inshaAllah, you havent blogged for some time

Comment by SkyDancer

April 13, 2006 @ 10:05 pm

Salut..
Desolé pour le message hors sujet:) mais la cause en vaut la

peine (enfin.. Je l’espere )

En fait, en organise le 12 eme blog Meet Up � tunis ce samedi � Biwa vers 16h..
Il y aura plein de bloggeurs.. Et ça nous ferait

plaisir que tu viennes..
Il y a plus de details sur mon blog et n’hesites pas d’emmener tout les bloggeurs que tu connais avec toi
On compte sur toi !!
A plouch

.. On attend ton ” Ok je viens sur mon blog:) ) Et je serais personnellement ravi de faire ta connaissance!

Ps : desolé pour le retard

Comment by AY

April 17, 2006 @ 1:57 am

I think the problem is never

about the religion per se, but the practice thereof.

When we continue to see (justification for) suicide bombers who claim to be Muslim, it’s difficult to equate Islam

with peace.

This goes for ANY religion or the practice of any idea.

Have you read the Koran? My understanding is that an overwhelming majority of Muslims

cannot speak/understand Arabic. Or indeed, cannot read or are not so literate as to fully understand the Arabic/cultural nuances of the Koran, are they at a risk of being

manipulated by clerics with (violent) ulterior motives?

And, what about the likes of Dr Ali Sina (www.faithfreedom.org), who has gone through the Koran with a fine

comb and rebutts it, somewhat not without evidence to support his ideas?

Comment by Ralitheism

April 23, 2006 @ 7:45 pm

Good day Eman,

I happened upon your husband’s website quite by accident and in reading some of his entries, it let me to your site. I am

impressed by the eloquence in which you have stated your point of view and it does sadden me knowing that there are so many people who continue to misunderstand

Muslims and people of other beliefs.

I can understand why you would tire of taking a defensive and explanatory posture on this and I hope that more people would

get the opportunity to read what you have written thus far because it might give them a better idea about Muslims and to Islam. One of the main problems seems to be that

people have a tendency to categorize behaviour and attitudes and attribute them to large groups of people. So the assumption is that all Muslims are a certain way or think a

certain thing; BUT, we should know that is not the case. As with any large group of people there is going to be a subset that believes wholly in the fundamentals of that

group’s belief system, there is going to be another subset that uses some sort of cache or recognition to further their personal objectives or ulterior motives, there is going

to be another subset that for lack of a better phrase, “jumps on the bandwagon” etc etc. The actions of a subset of a group do not really represent the entire group. Some

Americans are brash, bold and arrogant but not necessarily because they are American, some Canadians are peace-loving do-gooders but not because they are Canadians,

some Catholics are child molesters but not because they are Catholic and some Muslims are terrorists but not because they are Muslim.

Those are my thoughts….I

hope one day to have enough to say to express my own opinions.

Comment by Theresa Toland

March 10, 2007 @ 9:07 pm

Thank you for explaining what you have so patiently! Do not stop to explain and defend your beliefs, doing so in love is not wrong. Those who send you hate mail, do not hate you but the God of creation. For there are many in the world that do not think as God intended for us.

I am a Christian but I have friends that are Muslim and I am trying to better understand their beliefs. The word “Christian” should be a verb rather than a noun because one can not be a Christian without following Christ. I appreciate the explanation of Islam. And with reading your explanation I want to learn more. Islam sounds very much like the way a Christian is supposed to live. Sadly many profess Christ and have no change of heart or life.

I want to understand more. If you are willing, would you send me email explaining what you believe regarding the forgiveness of sin.

Thank you again, and may God bless you and your family.

Comment by Patricia

June 24, 2007 @ 2:44 am

Thank you. I seached ‘what does Salam mean?” and found your clearly explained defination. As a follower of Christ (Roman Catholic) I would like to say that the Muslim faith, as I learn more about it, expresses great respect for wisdom, prayer, and modesty, which are often lacking in the modern world secular world. Thank you for teaching me the meaning of the verb Islam and the word Salam. Salam, Shalom,Peace, Patricia

Comment by Ahmed Han

October 9, 2007 @ 11:43 am

Hello and thank you for this article.

I’m from Turkey, and I want to say that, most people here (including the Muslims too of course) believe that the word ‘Islam’ means ‘peace’. They have no idea about its actual meanings ‘obedience’ and ’surrender’.

Also most people are unaware of the meaning of the word ‘jihad’ too. They think that it means ‘to fight’, ‘to kill’. Maybe you should write another article for this word too.

Thank you again.

Comment by Rashid Razak

November 21, 2009 @ 5:08 pm

I am fascinated at what you wrote. This is an extremely important piece. Unfortunately, the misunderstanding of Islam is more so amongst those who call themselves Muslims than those who are not. If only they can understand what you have written. Today, Islam is more about cultures rather than what God and our Prophet SAW had intended. It is so very sad.

What you have written explains it so clearly and it should be shared with all.

Comment by Brett Day

March 1, 2010 @ 6:21 am

I stumbled accross this by accident tonight and was very enlightened. At dinner tonight I was forced to defend Islam when my sister made a negative comment that I could not let stand. I myself am a Christian (interestingly enough my sister is not) but I grow tired of the uninformed statements that are made about Islam and the negative outlook many people ignorantly have. I was studying a little bit more about Islam tonight and want to thank you for your information and the clarification that you have given.