Alchemy and Esoterism, Islam and Popularity: a joint post written by Charlie Tee and Jen

First of all, I want to express my deepest thanks to Jen for bringing this to my attention, and thank her for caring enough about my feelings and that of other Muslims. It takes a real person of faith and character to be angry about prejudice of any kind, even within their own religion.
Before you try to figure out how this relates to music, it relates in that Jen is trying to create harmony in humanity, sort of like teaching the world to sing .

The other evening I got an e-mail from a very upset and angry Jen. She was angry over that fact that a friend of hers sent her an e-mail which had many harsh and negative things to say about Muslims and the religion of Islam. Earlier that day I just happened to go to Friday prayer at the Mosque here in Charleston, and the speaker that day gave a sermon on not being reactionary to things that are going on inside and outside the Muslim community.
Right now in America the climate toward those of us who practice Islam is not very tolerant, and very unlike America. It's sad because in reality what we're experiencing is a climate of esoterism, or the practice of exclusion. Left alone without any explanations people could begin to believe much of anything that they are fed, by any means that they were fed it.
Let us shed some light on a few things and hope that it can begin to melt away the cold of misunderstanding.
Let me say first that Muslims do believe in God, in much the same way that others who practice monotheism do.There are differences with the Islamic religion and many others but not because we worship idols or false gods, or other men. In the same way that people of other faiths perceive God in His totality, Muslims have taken the time to decipher and try to make sense of the universe in the way that Allah (God) intends us to.
It's wrong for anyone to feel that they have a monopoly on the correct way to have their belief...what we should all have is faith. Faith will help you understand the importance of God solely as it pertains to you, through your own eyes.
I am Muslim but I married to a woman who is Jewish, she is white and I am an African American. Truly, does that mean we're wrong for each other ? We don't think so...
I have met many wonderful people in my lifetime, and many of them come from all religious walks of life. My own mother was Catholic but raised me as a Muslim because I wanted to practice the religion that my Father practiced, so my Mom took the time to learn about Islam on her own, and she found it to be a religion of peace and brotherhood.
While I like many Americans were completely outraged over the events of 9/11/01, it would be unwise of any of us to place all the blame on all in the religion. That would be like saying that every Black person is lazy and shiftless, like saying every woman should be seen and not heard, and should not be allowed out in public. It's just not realistic, nor is it righteous.
I'm proud of the fact that I practice Islam for a number of reasons. 1. Islam gave me a better sense of myself...don't get me wrong, I've got alot to learn, but this faith has given me the means by which I can figure out the world and my place in it. 2. Being Muslim has allowed me to attain the courage of my conviction...I've learned to say what I mean and mean what I say, and 3. without being or feeling ego centered, I've learned to love me the way that I feel Allah does...unconditionally.
What I hope for more than anything is that humanity learns to be exoteric, to be inclusive of all, thereby increasing the chance for peace.

This post is dedicated to Jen, through her example we can achieve true brotherhood...and sisterhood.
It's also dedicated to Imam Jamal Daoudi, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of West Virginia.Through his tireless example, people of all faiths are gaining faith and trust in Muslims everywhere.

Be sure to catch Jen's side of this story on her blogsite On The Porch Swing.

Support Live Music and brotherhood today tomorrow and always.