It’s good to hear from you again. You will definitely be in my prayers. I hope you can feel that you do have a place! Please keep us posted on your journey, and let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do in addition to prayers.

Michelle

In the meeting this morning, I learned that I could be weeks from baptisim, having completely given up on practicing Islam. This is potentially very dangerous were I to approach other Muslims about my conversion, so I am really prayerful right now about doing that.

In Islam, the man may have 3 wives, and while not much is said about that, in the US, any Muslimah knows that it is a common practice. Mostly Muslims just ignore that law.

I don’t know any woman who likes the idea. Still it was practiced for a time in the Old Testament, and has been a continuous practice in Islam since the days of Muhammad PBUH. So, I have prayed about it and tried to imagine the context in ancient times where such a practice would be permissible. The only thing I can think of is that in those times, many of the men died in wars, leaving wives and children abandoned.

I know that officially the Salt Lake LDS prohibit the practice.

As far as I know, in Islam, mostly, the wives do not know of each other, and when they find out, there is big trouble. So, while it is legal, it is not really accepted in the society.

I would ask that you pray for me in my seeking a place in the LDS church. I am old enough that I will not seek a husband again, but several of the members have councelled me to be open to marry again.

Many blessings

Khadijah

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I am grateful to know that you feel respect from LDS members. Your comment really warmed my heart. I agree with you — I think we have much in common, and I appreciate when we can appreciate that. I think there is so much good that can be done when people of different faiths can build on a foundation of common values and beliefs.

Best wishes to you, and thank you again.

Michelle

Ma Salaama

Khadijah

I am not one to call good evil or evil good. But I do believe that we have more in common with people than we have different. We need to join together in our communities to stand for marriage, to stand against pornography and anything that threatens the family.

I’ve took a world religions class a few years ago, which gave me the opportunity to visit a Sikh gurudwara and a Muslim mosque, which were both great experiences.

There is a lot we can learn from others about Christianity. I actually think I learned more about my own religion than I learned about Hinduism, Jainism, and all the others combined during that 16-week course.

May we take on the idea of Namas’te: my favorite translation of which is, “The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you.” We are all God’s children.