Posted on 07/31/2005 6:48:56 AM PDT by SLB
Imam Mohamed Lunat helps debunk common myths about his religion
The image of Imam Mohamed Lunat as he walks in the doors of the Islamic Center of Elizabethtown looks like one from the evening news.
He is medium height and thin, with dark, intense eyes and a fist-length beard with no mustache. He has a prayer cap on his head, an ankle-length robe and sheds his shoes as he enters. Based solely on appearance he could, to biased eyes, be mistaken as the cliché of any of the Middle-Eastern terrorists who scream into shoddy video cameras around the world about the evils of American imperialism, jihads, fatwas and the blood of nonbelievers.
But anyone who would assume that would be horribly wrong, and horribly uneducated about Lunat's religion.
The reality of Lunat, and that of most Muslims around the world, is completely different than that seen on television.
Lunat is a soft-spoken man, a devoted follower of Allah with a quick and vibrant smile and a message of peace and devotion. He is a 36-year-old husband and father of four with a quick intellect and somewhat shy disposition. On a hot day, he offers guests mango juice and snacks, and while his children watch, he gently explains some of the core beliefs of Islam.
His main concern is far away from troubles in the larger world. Instead, his immediate concerns are about the spiritual lives of his congregation, which includes between 60 and 70 families from Elizabethtown and the surrounding region.
He has his hands full. The mosque in Elizabethtown has more programs than any other in the region. And the demands of devout Islam take time.
To Lunat, terror and violence in far parts of the world are so far removed from the teachings of Islam that he said they are not connected.
"Basically, what has been carried out has no Islamic affiliation at all," he said. "Whatever has been perpetrated has nothing to do with Islam. It's a coordinated way of certain groups to take care of differences. There is no religious basis. One of the main teachings (of Islam) is to follow the Prophet Muhammad. One fundamental thing is to follow the laws of the land you live in. That is especially true in America. Those groups do what they do because of conflicts with governments, not people."
True Muslims instead believe in justice and equality among men, he said. The actions of those groups and their violence are not only geographically far away, but spiritually distant, as well, he said.
"This is portrayed as a problem and has nothing to do with my community — nothing to do with Muslims in Elizabethtown," he said.
His worries are more immediate.
"Getting youth to come to the mosque, to be good, virtuous men can't wait — get them to be good Muslims and upstanding citizens."
The central tenants of Islam are simple and similar to the other two monotheistic traditions, Christianity and Judaism, Lunat said.
Contrary to many perceptions, the religions have many similarities. Muslims believe in Jesus as one of many prophets, and closely follow his teachings as well as that of the last prophet, Mohammed, who lived sometime around 700 A.D.
"It is obedience to one sovereign Lord and to spend your life in his worship," he said. "Islam is a combination of Judeo/Christian tradition that culminates in Islamic law."
The laws include prayer five times a day facing Mecca, the most holy site in the Islamic world. Men are encouraged to attend the mosque and pray together; women are allowed to pray from home or attend the mosque.
There are special rules about eating, as well. Meat must be slaughtered in a traditional way, similar but slightly different than the kosher rules of the Jewish faith. Muslims do not eat pork, and are encouraged to eat simply and in moderation. They do not drink alcohol.
Islamic law also includes rules on traditional dress. Lunat wears a robe and beard, as did the Prophet. Traditional garb for Islamic women includes a Hijab, or facial covering.
"This is the dress code Muhammad imposes on men and women in a virtuous society," Lunat said. The dress code is traditional, and supposed to be modest and appropriate.
There are challenges to practicing Islam in the United States, but they can be overcome, Lunat said.
"Allah maintains that every human being has a test of his own faith — their own struggles that come in the way of worship."
Two of those can be work and schedule. Muslims are encouraged to attend the mosque for prayers five times a day, but that is simply not feasible for some. Islam allows for them to pray on their own.
Availability of mosques and distances also must be considered. In some cities, attending a mosque is easier than in others.
Muslims also deal with same societal problems that affect everyone and try to find faith-based solutions.
Still, the religion held a power for Abdul Hakeem, an American from Pennsylvania who converted to Islam and recently moved to Elizabethtown because of his wife's family.
"It's the purest form of monotheism," he said. "It's balanced in terms of the belief system regarding the prophets. Humanity is our common brotherhood."
The religion and its traditions also held a strong pull for Lunat, who has been in Elizabethtown for a year and a half. Originally from an upper middle-class family in Zimbabwe, he attended Hofstra University in New York and is a licensed CPA in New York.
However, Lunat found he wished to spend his life instead closer to his religion. At 30, almost twice the age of his classmates, he entered a traditional Islamic school, or Madressa, in London for five years of study. The school itself was free.
"Contrary to what people perceive, it is not a place that espouses violent ideologies," he said. "Instead, it is to learn the principles of our faith. I really did enjoy it. The teachers who taught us were very simple and pious and down to earth."
Islam does not have the same hierarchical structure as other religions. Instead, mosques are somewhat independent and loosely networked. Lunat was living in Arizona when he was contacted by the Islamic Center's former Imam, Ahmed Patel, who said he was leaving. Lunat soon moved to Elizabethtown with his family.
Since 9/11, life for Muslims has been difficult wherever they live in the United States.
"One of the consequences of 9/11 is Muslims are afraid to identify themselves," Lunat said.
Still, for the most part, Elizabethtown has been an inviting place.
"Elizabethtown is very friendly, eager to break down the barriers to learn," he said.
But there have been times where Lunat said he and some of his congregation have been harassed.
"There have been no actions — no physical threatenings," he said. "There has been occasional vocal abuse, even on Ring Road. Obscene gestures."
Lunat blames much of the misunderstanding on perceptions from the media.
"It has its challenges," he said. "Islam is in the news as a negative. There are ensuing perceptions (and) stereotypes that are false."
To battle that, Lunat is trying to help the public separate myths from reality in two ways.
"We try to do outreach meetings at churches, to have an open-door policy, publish literature and meet with the local media," he said. "As the community grows, we will be outreaching more."
The other way is to truly practice the faith. True Islam, Lunat said, is not one that is at odds with people of differing beliefs or faiths, and is a long way from the violence on the television.
"We follow the tenets of Islam," he said. "Things that appeal to humanity's laws — honesty, justice, equality — they will separate reality from the myths."
Why no comment on the urging of the faithful Muslim by the Koran to kill the unbeliever? That part a tad inconvenient for the propaganda machine?
Squantos was correct - I am now home from church, but have some "honey do" to finish up then I will attempt to read through and answer some of the more interesting posts.
Very funny!
A little terrorist humor.
Wonder if he would have gotten a chuckle out of a picture of Mecca with a stealth bomber above it?
and left town, next time stick around to answer some of these pings.
Didn't leave town, simply drove across town to worship my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What the hell ???
I know what hell is. I know that I am going to spend eternity in paradise with my God. What about you?
This in insult to the folks who rent their space from the mosque.
Actually it probably results from relying on a spellchecker rather than on proofreading.
Or it is blatant ignorance.
Iman Lunatic..
What else would you expect? This guy is interviewed by the local rag. Would he admit to sponsoring or condoning terrorism? I doubt it.
Muslims believe in Jesus as one of many prophets, and closely follow his teachings as well as that of the last prophet, Mohammed, who lived sometime around 700 A.D.
According to a few articles here on FR, there is a world of difference between the teachings of Mohammed and Jesus.>>>>
Yeh, it really bugs me about their so-called reverance for Jesus. Its so bogus. I have a muslim in my office who has explained to me in great length about how the DO BELIEVE that Jesus was concieved by Allah's will of a virgin (they call her Miriam). When I asked how? he told me that God breathed on Miriam and she conceived, then he blew on me and said that's how he did it. Perplexed greatly, I then asked, well who in the world is Jesus father then? If not God, then who? I was stunned. They are so screwed up. But maybe there is hope. It seems like such a short jump to belief in Jesus as the Son of God, if this what he told me is right about that belief. Unbelievable, just damn.
It is very obvious to anyone familiar with the teachings of Mohammed and Jesus.
This article is male bovine fecal effluvia.
I learned all i need to know about Islam on 9/11.
Feel free to use it whenever you like.
I wonder why I've never seen any articles approaching this level of reverence and respect for Baptists, Mormons, Pentacostals, Evangelicals, or Focus on the Family? </sarcasm>
Amen!
>> Muslims believe in Jesus as one of many prophets...
In other words, according to the Koran, Jesus is a liar and the New Testament is false.
Who spread his "religion" via the sword, right from the get go. He also started the whole "vilify the Jews and slay them" thing. Not to mention that he was a pedophile.
To SLB ;
I offer my apology . After receiving your response , I went back to the thread , the first post was your's . after reading it , ( Da ) I see you were not advocating on behalf of the Imam Lunat as I had originally thought .
I hope you will accept my sincere apology , lionheart 247365 .. .. ..
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