You asked very good questions of Fatmah today. Following up on some of that:
Here is a call to prayer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vF9xQyXzD4
and another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUHDYlJHaOQ&feature=related
Here is a link to some information about Islam (not specifically about death or dying, though). I'm not sure this is the most clear source if you don't know much about Islam, but you might get some help:
http://en.islamtoday.net/Beliefs-Teachings
I really enjoyed the different perspectives on death and the process that different faiths go through. I also enjoyed see the different aspects of the faiths in general. Especially the slight similarities they all have in common.
ReplyDeleteHearing all the different viewpoints was very interesting. It seems for the most part many of the faiths are similar in some regard, but yet having some severely different opinions on certain matters. Bringing light to all the different perspectives is a great opportunity for everyone to learn the beliefs of others and why one might act a certain way.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I had the opportunity to hear Fatmah speak about her Islamic faith. While the Jewish Rabbi was very educational in her appearance, I did indeed already know some of Judaism's components. On the other hand, with the Islamic faith, I knew absolutely nothing. Hearing Fatmah's point of view was very informative considering I had never been exposed to any of the Islamic traditions, practices, or components of faith.
ReplyDeleteSpecific to death and dying, the Islamic practices are much different than those with which I am familiar. When people close to me have died in the past, we have observed the traditional Christian actions, waiting nearly a week after the death for the layout and the funeral and resuming a somewhat normal life shortly thereafter. Other than the minute windows of bereavement time offered to close members of the family at work, life simply did not stop. It seems as if, compared to Islamic tradition, people who observe death in a similar fashion as I are almost desensitized. With the Islamic faith, Fatmah described that the tradition is to immediately clean, pray, and bury the body within twenty-four hours of the individual's passing. To me, this would seem much too rapid. It seems to me as if the saving grace for a family grieving the loss of a deceased family member is the short window of time (but more than twenty-four hours) between the passing and the funeral. While such ideals are unfamiliar, I see the logic and completely respect such tradition.
Fatmah, in her elaborate answers to our questions in class, showed me that the fundamental and powerful concepts of Islam are not as vastly different from the Christian religion as I once thought. Hearing about all the different faiths from speakers and presenters who respect everyone's opinions is undoubtedly an effective method by which to learn about world religions.
I had a great time listening to the Rabbi, Fatmah and even Father. I will admit that I hardly know anything about different religions. Even the little that we touched on, it was very insightful.
DeleteIts neat to see the different ways religions treat death. Or even countries and cultures. Here in America it seems like people are afraid of death, but in other countries it is more accepted (if thats the right word.) The big difference was as Ben talked about, the mourning period and the burial plans. We are so used to having to wait almost a week to have the funeral and layout, whereas Fatmah and Rabbi talked about doing it immediately within 24 hours. I would be uncomfortable with that, as if everything was moving too fast. But again, I am Christian and just set in my ways. I do respect their religions and practices.
Throughout February we got see the differences in the death process throughout different religions. It was very interesting to hear the different perspectives of death. Some of their perspectives very similar to other religions, but also very different. That's what makes our society so great. In the United States there are many different religions and we are taught to respect all religions. Actually learning about them makes it even better. Knowing about other religions gives you a better understanding of whats going on in their life and how they act culturally.
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