Re: Henna and Muslims
Posted by Giselle on February 03, 2000 at 04:00:43:
In Reply to: Henna and Muslims posted by Aisha Hashmi on February 02, 2000 at 17:52:38:
You will get no argument from me on this one...! Thank you for your
explanation. It's quite fascinating how Islam views henna. For those
devout Muslims, you musn't get offended by the modern use of henna in
Western countries. First off, if any Muslim accuses a European or
American male for being effeminate for the use of henna, you must
understand that WE DID NOT GROW UP IN YOUR CULTURE. Body decorating
through henna is, of course, borrowed from Middle Eastern, North
African, and Asian countries, BUT is subject to personal and cultural
interpretation. For a particular religious society to claim a plant
such as henna as "it's own and no one else's" is to have a bloated
ego, insulting the earth that provides for ALL human beings. (Just as
I believe that God, the Light, the Universe, or whatever you may call
the Supreme Power, provides for ALL human beings). This is what I
believe. I am not smart enough, though, or wise enough to claim that
any one group's religion is the "right" religion, though I do believe
that you can come close to God by following a strict discipline such
that is set out by the major religions/wisdoms of the world. For isn't
that what religion is -- a discipline by which to live your life
through sound principles and virtues?
Off topic now... From working with dogs, those dogs that have NO
discipline by their owners are unhappy dogs. From being a mother,
children that are not disciplined (I don't mean "punished"), are
unhappy children. From being a spiritual being, those people that do
not have disciplined characters are unhappy people.
***The world according to Giselle***
*smile*
peace to you...