K_Z, did you use the pronoun "we" in the generic sense, meaning what the Qu'ran calls on all mankind to do? Because I would love it if we had an actual Muslim to speak for the faith.
Even if you aren't Muslim, I do trust and appreciate your knowledge of beliefs in Muslim countries.
I don't think "inshallah" should be so hard for Americans, at least, to understand. Yes, a lot of us were raised on the adage "God helps those who help themselves", but we also know of snake-handlers and other conservative faiths where everything is attributed to God's will (and/or Satan's intervention).
Thanks, Nova. I'm not Muslim. But I think I have a bit of a unique perspective.
I was a "guest of the Custodian of the two holy mosques" for an extended visit. My job as a U.S. military officer took me to Saudi Arabia, and I lived and worked in the Kingdom (which was no easy task as a woman). I travelled in many of the surrounding countries, as well.
I'm one of the few women who have ever actually driven a car in the Kingdom. Lol. It was quite a spectacle, even though it was only a few miles between bases. After a few weeks of that, I was given my own driver. (Lol!) When I was off base, I had a one stripe airman assigned to me to order my food, and speak on my behalf, and act as my "family escort". This law/ custom was a bit of a problem for the military women, as unmarried women in SA can't go out or travel anywhere without a male family member.
Women can't eat out in the open in restaurants, or order food; there is a "family room" in back where women can eat, and places like ice cream stands have what look like dressing room booths with curtains where a woman may eat ice cream out of the view of men. They close restaurants for prayer times-- and even if your food just arrived, most places will make you leave the premises without eating, because they can be closed down by authorities for not closing during prayers. (Especially if there are Westerners inside.)
I was in SA during the time when we had no status of forces agreement. One of the results of that was after several months there, we women officers were issued black abaya robes to wear off base, and in Riyadh, I had to wear a headscarf as well. I was no longer allowed to just wear my military uniform when off base. But on the plus side,we all had a "stupid American card" to present to the muttawa if they harassed us for offending islam. It was a little hard being a woman military officer-- they often thought we were ARAMCO wives, or British Aerospace wives. There were only a very few U.S. military women there when I was there.
Anyway, I learned an awful lot about islam first hand, during that phase of my life. Sorry for digressing and going off topic! Lots of stories.
