Not all Moslems are the same

The use of the term “Moslem” is an inaccurate and unhelpful description in this ongoing multicultural debate. There are Moslems on all continents and they are any number of different nationalities.
I happen to be an Anglican, and that is perhaps a more accurate cultural descriptor than the word Moslem. Particularly since even American Anglicans (Episcopalians) seem to be a bit "Englishy". And although it is difficult to describe us as one cultural group we all seem to have a certain reserve, perhaps a certain tolerance for difference, and perhaps we are quiet people ....but things are not like they were 20 years ago

But no one would dream of primarily defining my cultural heritage by my religious affiliation. There are, incidentally, in the quite small Anglican community in South Australia people from all continents and any number of different nationalities. Just like the Moslems!

Sholem Aleichem

If you haven't yet watched Salam Cafe on Wednesdays at 10 (SBS) then next week is your last chance for a while. (Though in the way of modern things you can always download it on your pod).
It answers some important questions like "Do Moslems have a sense of humour?" "Are Moslems mindless robots who only think one thing?" "Do Islamic women subserviently keep quiet in the presence of men?"....All these questions are preposterous of course to anyone who knows the slightest thing about the diversity of Islamic culture, and about how settled Islam is (to the third and fourth generation) in this country.
These are highly intelligent, perceptive, constructive propagandists for a society more tolerantof Moslem Australians. God pray that they may be succesful.
Note: Semitic language scholars amongst you may note that the heading for this post is in Hebrew not Arabic...Sholem Aleichem...peace be with you! Salam Cafe always ends with this greeting in Arabic...Salam Allaychem....not much difference eh? Yes! I know I'm too smart for my own good!

Teddy comes home

I guess most of us are relieved that a naive schoolteacher has not been executed for allowing a Teddy Bear to be called Mohammed in a Sudan classroom.
As I understand it she didn't actually do it. The kids suggested names and then they voted on it. And they chose.
Now if she had been smart she wouldn't have allowed that name to go forward...but she did and the rest is history.
What is silly about her is that teaching in such a culturally sensitive environment you would have hoped she would have thought a little more carefully. I was very conscious of how two SA locals Barry and Ann Lock , CMS missionaries in Pakistan, were always deeply respectful of Islam. And were always careful to promote cultural respect and to err on the side of caution when it came to possibly affecting other people's sensibilities.
WE may think from an Australian or British point of view that this is hysterical behaviour, and maybe it is. But other people's houses are always funny places to be...and we should be respectful.
It's interesting that York Minster has sold out of one item of its special Christmas gifts. A teddy bear dressed up like Archbishop Sentamu!
We live in a very mixed worl