Visit to the mosque in Oxford

I’ve been on the road a lot today and this post might be riddled with spelling errors. Excuse me if that’s the case.

My conversation with Rev. David Eldridge this week was outstanding. What a gift he is to the community! I’ve certainly made a new friend. He and I are not far apart in age: He’s 29; I’m 32. We have a lot in common.

Talking with people from his former churches, I saw that he’s made quite an impression wherever he’s been. Mr. Miskelly in Okolona called him “the next Billy Graham.” David would probably have preferred that I didn’t include that quote but Mr. Miskelly delivered the aplomb with such sincerity that I couldn’t omit it.

As summer draws on, I find that I’ve allowed the annual conferences of some area churches to sneak up on me. I can only apologize, and say that, as I told Rev. Andy Ray at FUM, during a call he placed on his way home from the United Methodist Conference, “this being my first time through” I haven’t quite become attuned to the important events on everyone’s yearly calendar.

Rev. Ray and others have been more than patient with me while I acquaint myself with the pace of the church year. Specifically, I should have paid more attention to the conference of the Southern Baptist Convention this week. I picked an AP story to run in Saturday’s paper, but I should have localized the story more. That’s my fault and I apologize for it. It is, however, a sin of ommission, rather than commission.

Friday I paid a visit to the Muslim mosque in Oxford. This was quite an experience. The people invited me out and couldn’t have been more hospitable.

I sat in on prayer and listened to a discourse about selected suras from the Koran. Although I didn’t understand all of it, I found the poetry very moving. The sheer beauty of the language is enough to recommend it.

Afterwards, a number of men were good enough to have a roundtable discussion about the similarities and differences between the Muslim and Christian faiths.

The purpose of my visit was primarily to start building a rapport with Muslims in the area. I’ve often wanted to include their perspectives in articles I’ve done, but simply didn’t know where to find them. I made many new friends and, for those who appreciate a wider perspective on issues of faith, look forward to Muslim views being included in future articles.

I found the group eager to engage in serious discussion about theology. These good people have an innate desire to pursue and to share knowledge. They were very frank and, in no time at all, we were delving into rather contentious topics with the greatest mutual respect. These are fine people of faith and I have nothing but respect for them. I’m confident that I’ve opened a channel of dialog that will prove fruitful and informative for my readers.

After my visit to the mosque I wandered through my old familiar haunts in Oxford. I spent some time in Square Books, picked up another collection of short stories by Barry Hannah, as well as one from my former teacher, David Galef. I also got a collection of essays from Larry Brown titled “Billy Ray’s Farm.” More than enough to keep me busy this weekend and take my mind away from theology – let me catch my breath! I love to immerse myself in good fiction on weekends.

Thanks for your emails and letters. Thanks for reading and, as Tavis Smiley says, “Keep the faith.”

Peace,

Galen