Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CHILL (10/29/15)
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TITLE: The Mosque | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robyn Harbour
11/03/15 -
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The continuing arguments in the local paper against the building of a mosque in their city had become a regular item. The main offenders were the Christians from the various churches. They wrote letters, attended council meetings and were extremely vocal. It had become a hate campaign against Muslims in general. The press did not help with their continual reporting of atrocities overseas which spread fear through the community.
Last month there had been a rally in the main street, thousands attended, many of them red necked radicals who came in droves from the capital and added fuel to an already over heated topic. It got very ugly.
Mabel did chill out, she stopped talking and took action. She met with the City Mayor who liked her idea. He was tired of the continual barrage of hate that was flowing through his office. He invited her to give a short speech at the next council meeting. The building of the mosque had been approved but a ’Residents against the Mosque’ petition had been launched and was gaining momentum....
With the preliminaries over, the Mayor stood up to introduce her. ‘Mabel Thomas came to see me a week ago with her concerns about the planned mosque in our city. She asked for permission to speak to the councillors and those in the gallery tonight. I have granted permission for her to do so.’
As Mabel stood her listeners assessed her critically. She was at least the wrong side of 70, her fashion sense left a lot to be desired, they dismissed her as ‘nobody important’ and tuned out.
Mabel took a deep breath and uttered a silent plea for help. She ignored the butterflies that were flying wildly around in her stomach. She had an important message to bring.
‘Good evening! Thankyou Mr Mayor for allowing me this opportunity. I have been concerned about all the fighting in the press against the mosque being built in our city. I would like to bring some balance into this issue.
First, we live in a free country, our constitution gives us freedom to practice our religion. The Muslims are just as free as us to practice what they believe without prejudice, as we are free to worship God in our different denominations, we are also free to have no religion at all.
Secondly, Jesus told us to love our neighbors. In our streets and suburbs live Muslim families that need our welcome, support, understanding, friendship and love.
Thirdly, I admit that we are all alarmed at the evil committed by some of the more radical followers of Islam overseas; including the murder and persecution of Christians and those of other religions. Didn’t Jesus tell his followers to love those that persecute them.
The way I see it, we have no grounds to deny these people their place of worship.
If we truly practice what Jesus taught then we are setting a good example, remember God loves Muslims too.’
As she spoke the hot air that had been permeating through the room started too cool down, those listening in the gallery looked uncomfortable. A man in the front row stood up and clapped, before long others were joining him.
The petition was tabled that night but rejected. The Mosque was built, those that had been against the mosque now had an opportunity to befriend and love those that worshiped there.
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