I had a meeting with the khatib (preacher) whom I criticized two Fridays ago after he said we had to give da'wa to stay in American. Problem solved and I think we understand each other better. We're actually more alike than otherwise and despite the Salafiness of that statement, he's anything but that. Don't worry; I know enough not to be hoodwinked and he's sincere in what he does.

Anyway… one of the other guests at his home today does a lot of interfaith work, especially with the local Jewish community. My wife likes this sort of interfaith work, and I'm fine leaving her as the family representative for such functions. I think I'm more secularist: let's all get along under the shared rubric of a secular society. I'm willing to let everyone do thier own faith; I'm not necessarily interested about learning thier faith since I already have one I like. Shortsighted? Maybe, but I got my own bubble to maintain.

Here's the good part. Anyway… the gentleman has managed to show the Palestinian movie Paradise Now at the Jewish community center. I asked when a Jewish movie would be shown at the mosque…

cricket, cricket…

God damn it! How can I stand in front of Jewish Arizonans as a Muslim when I can't deliver the goods? Instead of being an interfaith exchange, it ends up as being a one way con-job. I don't like looking like a con artist, as if I desire to impose my community's point of view without giving them the benefit of a real exchange. He knows this, but he doesn't have the community's support; I don't envy him this role.