LIFE IN MOROCCO: RAMADAN

 

 

AMERICANS AGAINST THE WAR! 

THE BIG DEBATE!

 

 

This is the first in a series of videos documenting the American Anti-War Movement in France. LEAVE A VIDEO RESPONSE with your thoughts and reactions to the protests (Answer the questions posted in the video! Do you support the movement? Are you against the movement? All video comments are welcome)… let’s get the DEBATE STARTED!

Spread the word…tell your friends to come to YouTube and get involved in the debate!

 

  

 

 

 

ONCE UPON A TIME ON PLANET EARTH

(click on "ONCE UPON A TIME ON PLANET EARTH" to learn more)

 

     

 

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LIFE IN MOROCCO

A Journey of Discovery

 

 

      

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Dear Readers,   Since I have not been in Morocco for a while, I have not written much about life in this beautiful country. Therefore, I have decided to repost an article I wrote for the International Press Association in honor of the holiest of Muslim holidays, Ramadan. This year Ramadan coincides with the Jewish High Holidays, so to all of my Jewish and Muslim friends and readers around the globe…BONNE FETE! I am thinking about all of you during this blessed month.  PEACE!   WHAT IS RAMADAN? by Ron Modro   International Press Association copyright 2006 What is Ramadan? That is a question I had asked myself many times in the last year. Due to the somewhat closed nature of the Islamic religion, very few Americans actually know what this most holy of Muslim holidays is really about. So I decided to make the 35 kilometer trip from the Ourika Valley into the City of Marrakech, to spend some time there and really get to know the place.   I must admit, I have not had an easy time of adjusting to the slower and sometimes frustrating way of business in Morocco. I needed to be in this city to figure out my place in it. The thought that kept coming to my mind as I strolled through the streets; "What is this journey really all about for me?"   I had walked through the tiny streets with all of their colorful trinkets, rugs and blankets, not really focusing on anything in particular, but lost in a world of thought. All the while, I was interacting and seeing things in a different light. It was a strange moment of revelation that I was here and this was my new world. I had left behind all the trappings of a modern western life. In a way, America will always be my home, but I am now in a new place where everything I knew has changed.   I would not say that my mood was melancholy, but rather it was a mood of atonishment. I had actually left my world behind. I decided then, to stop at a cafe to have a strong cup of Moroccan coffee.   As I sat there remembering why I had come here, a man slid his chair up next to me. He began:   "Hello." He said in English.   "Bonjour." I replied.   "Oh, you are French?"   "Non."   "English?"   "Non, American."   "American? We do not get many Americans here anymore!"   "Oui, Je sais (I know)."   "Bienvenue (welcome) American! We are happy to have you here in Morocco. You look like you could use some company."   "Non, Merci." I replied, thinking I was being picked up as a tourist looking for a guide.   "Non, Monsieur – I can tell you need a friend. Let us have some tea and, let us talk."   "Oui, d’accord (ok) – Sidi! Encore de The, s’il vous plait." I called to the waiter.   "Shuhkran (thank you). May I join you?" he said to me.   Oui, bien sur (of course)."   He twirled his chair around and sat with both elbows resting on the table and said to me, his tongue twisting his "R’s" like corkscrew macaroni: "So, tell me my friend, what you are thinking about over here all by yourself."   "Just getting used to Morocco. It is very different than what I am accustomed to."   "You do not like Morocco, my friend?"   "Oh no. I love Morocco. It is just different from the way I grew up. I used to live in Los Angeles before I moved here."   "You live in Morocco?" he said with complete astonishment. "You are Marakchi?"   "Oui, maintenant! (yes, now)"   "Why you move to Morocco, my friend?"   "Just to do something different, I guess. Needed a change."   I was not giving any hints to my life here. I suppose, I was still having trouble letting this world in. It is a part of life in Los Angeles (and the States in general), that everyone is suspect until you get to know him or her well. It is a hard habit to break once it has been instilled in you. However, I was willing to talk to this man, who told me his name is Karim.   Karim is a man of medium height, dark, jet-black hair, drawn face with a serious dental issue, nevertheless, he seemed nice enough, so I was actually grateful for the company.   We discussed life in Los Angeles, New York and Morocco. Finally, I said; “Karim let me ask you something.” “Yes, my friend, anything.” Mind you, this conversation is happening in three different languages. Neither of us speaks the others language well, so we were piecing this entire conversation together in French, Arabic, and American English. “What do you think of all the changes happening in Morocco?” “I understand, my friend. The western influence. You are wondering if we accept it. Insha’llah (If God wills it!)” “Insha’llah!” “America is a great country, non? We do not get many American’s here. Why?” He inquired honestly. I thought for a moment and finally all I could really think to say was; “They are afraid of Islam I suppose. What is happening in the world today, Karim? My country is at war with what they believe to be radical Islam. I have to tell you, I was a little worried about coming here – but I wanted to see for myself. Now I see differently, but it is a bit hard for me at times. Everything I knew has changed.” “Yes, I understand, my friend.” ‘It is taking me time to let go of the ways of my old life, and embrace this new life. How do I fit in here?” I said, feeling a bit apologetic for dropping that little nutcracker on him. “Sorry, you asked what was on my mind.” ‘Non, Non! Mon ami! I am glad you asked that question.” He paused a moment to collect his thoughts, I suppose. Then continued; “Let me tell you, my friend. You are my friend, right? (I nodded politely) Good. Good. Islam is about faith. There is no difference between you and me, the tourist and the Moroccan, there is no difference, between those born here and those who choose to call it home. There is only religion that makes us different. We do not have to be this way. We can live together. True Islam teaches hospitality to everyone. Therefore, my friend, you are welcome here. It does not matter if you are American. You are here. You must adapt to our ways of thinking……..yes, and with that, you bring something new to us as well. It will take time, but it will happen for you. You will find your place”       “Insha’llah! (If God wills it).” I thought to myself for a moment……….Then it dawned on me; “Is that what Islam is really about (from a strictly outsiders point of view)? There is one God. He is Almighty. He created the Heavens and the Earth, and if you trust in God, everything is in his/her hands (being PC for you folks out there) to provide…….in a word; Insha’llah!" “Exactly, my friend!” Karim replied with great enthusiasm. “You will find your place here, not to worry. Karim and I sat for a while longer, just content to sit and watch as life in Marrakech passed before us. I am not sure how long we sat there. We finished our tea and after a while Karim said to me; “Well, thank you my friend. It is time for me to go, but I hope I will see you again very soon. Morocco is your home now. S’lama! (Good-bye)” We shook hands and parted ways. I paid my bill and began the long walk back to the car, with plenty of time to think about our conversation. It hit me about two streets away from the café; “In God We Trust” the motto of the United States, which is emblazoned across all of our currency, is exactly the same idea as Islam……giving over control to divine providence. “Insha’llah!” Which if you really think about it, all comes from the same source. Nearly every single religion on this planet follows this idea, philosophy, or theology. However, do we trust God…. that he/she is right (if God is either Masculine or Feminine)? So, if we all trust in God, why are we fighting – Over whose god is the right God? What if we are all right about God, and he/she is all of those things that we share in common – and it is a lot more than many people may think. What if God “IS” the unbelievable diversity that we have on this planet? “Insha’llah!” I learned that Ramadan is about getting closer to the creator. One must try harder not to sin against God and against his fellow man, reflecting on all that is good, and the blessings we have in our lives. It is much like Easter for Christians, or Yom Kippur for Jews. Getting closer to God to see the blessings that have been given to us. I realized that I have been blessed with the opportunity to see the world and to share that experience with those around me. Even with all of the difficulties in adjusting, the truth remains. I am blessed to be here and to see the world that the Creator has given to us. I may not always handle the changes or differences well, but the fact that I am here, tells me I am supposed to be right where I am at this moment in time. This is what Ramadan has come to mean to me.   The blessing for me is………… Knowledge. Insha’llah!

 

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