Just last night I finished writing a thirty-page paper on Islam and how it’s lived in Diego Suarez. Besides the plethora of ‘Diego-Suarez’s,’ ‘Qur’ans’ and ‘Muslims,’ the next most common words were ‘harmony’ and ‘peace.’ This project’s theme was overwhelmingly about harmony. My last three weeks were spent taking notes on harmony. Harmony, harmony, everything was about harmony. “And there has never been any conflicts between your mixed religious student population?” No, never. “Why is it so peaceful here between Muslims, Christians, and traditional religion believers?” People looked at me like I was crazy. One guy’s answer was a correction of my question: “Peace is not constructed. It’s automatic. It will continue until the end of the world.”
Every single person I spoke with mentioned the importance of respecting each other’s values, opinions, and religious choices. This place was all about harmony. “We live together, we dance together, we eat together, go to school together, party together - we’re all Malagasy!” More harmony. When my grandmother called to share some thoughts with me when I wasn’t feeling well the first thing she mentioned was the harmony existent in God’s kingdom. I laughed. I know! I know all about it!
“Ny fiarahana eo amin’ny tsy fitoviana” one Imam (or Muslim preacher) told me. Unity in Diversity. That’s why there’s peace in Diego. The more we know about someone, the better we will be able to understand them; and ultimately help them. Though this blog didn’t include everything I learned about Islam - much more than thirty pages could be written about that - I hope it opened a few more windows of understanding about Islam. Feel that breeze! It’s a mighty ingredient of peace!
I am also going to share a sad secret with you. After waiting silent paper-rustling moments to ensure the end of the official interview one Muslim man said, “Now between us…” and then asked this question: “Why do Americans hate Muslims?” This scenario at the end of the meeting happened more than once. I will repeat that in another form: this question was asked by several different people. I am going to close this blog with the very same paragraph that I closed my paper with:
When I first heard that question my lips went tight together in sadness. I knew at that moment exactly why I was doing my independent study project on Islam. I sat there and told them that it wasn’t true, and that Americans were just ignorant – they didn’t know anything about the religion. I sat there and looked at people that love God, love peace, love, love, love, and answered their question in my head: “If only America knew! If only America had met you!” I did my project on Islam because of that question. Because of that misunderstanding between people that share the same planet but know nothing about each other. Because I think that a world where diversity can also mean unity would be a pretty cool thing.
These words and photographs convey your total commitment to finding unadulterated answers to the questions the Western world has about Islam. You are providing clear insight into a section of our world sadly underappreciated and misunderstood by most of us. More importantly, your tone shows without a doubt your fervent desire to discover in Madagascar what you knew you must find - proof of the universal presence of love.
You’ve given us a peak into a distant land - who knew it would be so beautiful?
Your ending to that essay is amazing. It helps people all over, that weren’t able to have this experince, experience it almost as up close as you did. Your thoughts are so real and practical. Thanks.
Julie,
I have just finished reading all your posts about Madagascar. What you have experienced and write about so poetically and eloquently is a must/should read for all of us. I loved the parts about your interviews with Muslims too. I think it’s time to write that book …what do you think?
Then send it to Oprah !
Simon
julie what a joy to find this post online while searching for something else. and how lucky i am to know you in real life. your photos are beautiful and your words are thoughtful and you are wonderful.
Thank you for the work that you are doing. It is soooo important. Please continue with the work…
America is ignorant because it wants to be ignorant. It is convenient to be ignorantand too lazy to find out the truth. Our prayers — and our work — must be to root out of our own culture the devilish influence now using our government to keep people from understanding peace and each other. Those who presume to speak for us all, senselessly killing Muslims, must be stopped…
you are absolutly right, we should all lern about each other & try to appriciate our diversity. But all in all we should be focused upon the truth.
as we appriciate islam they inturn should appriciate christianity, then better uderstanding of the truth is achieved. tell us the story of “masih de jal” (one eyed demon…”man-rabb-oker”)
Hello,
I am a Malagasy student in SIngapore
I accidentally found your blog..haha
In fact, i was looking for something else..how lucky I am.
Thanks for the story anyway.
Yes Diego might be the most muslim-populated in Madagascar…but there have never been any conflict about religion over there..and in all Madagascar i can say!
I am living here in Singapore where there are lots of Religions, maybe the record in the world.
They are living in harmony as well…and NEVER, never..no religious conflict.
I am a Christian but i have many muslim (and other religion) friends.
As we have a strong western influence in Madagascar, i was afraid of being in touch with Muslim people in the begining.
Westeners only give us a bad image of Muslim, that they are killers, they are terrotists and so on.
BUT it is absolutely wrong. Wrong, wrong and wrong!!!
Only some of them, a minority but not all.
Keep it up girl
Mazotoa e.
Veloma
i am a buddhist monk who is hoping to relocate to this area. i read your article and hope to meet others of all faiths who are looking for answers.
yours in the dhamma
phra lewis
citta dhammo bhikkhu
Wonderful article on living in harmony with one another. The peace loving Muslims must reject radical islam who are giving them a bad image in the world.