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Most people raised an eyebrow and gave me a quizzical look tinged with fear when I said I would be travelling to Pakistan. "Pakistan? Why Pakistan?"

July 11th: Arrival in Pakistan

Esilbert
2006-01-19 13:30:32

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Islam's perspective on other religions. "We believe in the religions of the holy books; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. You aren't a Muslim unless you accept all the prophets of Judaism, Christ, and Mohammed, peace be unto him."

We started discussing religion in the West and they assumed in their comments that I was Christian. I knew I wanted to tell them I was Jewish, though everyone said to avoid saying anything. When I tentatively said, "Well, actually..." the men suddenly became animated and were grinning broadly. I was the first Jew they had ever seen and they were so thrilled they were hosting a Jew so they could learn more about Judaism and show that not everyone in Pakistan is a fundamentalist. I spent the next two weeks fielding questions about Judaism and was repeatedly told how similar Islam and Judaism are. So many traditions in Judaism and Islam have similar rituals and practices that my hosts convinced themselves that Judaism and Islam were closer than Christianity and Islam.

"But we don't believe Hinduism is a religion. They believe in many gods, you know. Monkey gods, elephant gods."

We all agreed, however, that the point of our religions was humanity. How strange to be sitting in a dress shop with three Pakistani men talking about humanity. "But there are bad people everywhere. There are men who act in the name of Islam who are acting for personal reasons." I added, "And there are Jews who act in the name of Judaism who give Judaism a bad name."

Satisfied that we were all in it for peace, I had a confession to make.

"I came here because I wanted to see life in a Muslim country. I wanted to be able to tell people that fundamentalists are not the norm. That people just want peace, truly do believe in humanity."

They beamed and agreed. My host poured me more chai.

And so I share this with you now.