I would like to tell you guys that I am very happy to have found this community. Just like some of you guys, I stumbled on a lot of videos, reels, comments, posts and opinions about islam that I felt were extremely toxic. Fortunately, It is with great joy that I read about Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Sina, Rumi, Ibn Zuhr, Al Farabi and all the great thinkers, philosophers, mathematicians, physicist, surgeons and even music theorist that were part of the Islamic Golden Age, and how Baghdad was once the silicon valley of these times.

I lost my dad when I was a teenager, and my little brother was only 11. It made him think about religion and he ultimately decided that he wanted to be an atheist. Toxic comments and views found online and around the world ultimately made my brother leave religion and spirituality. Obviously, those would say that such a kid, who is now 17, will suffer a terrible wrath. While I write these words, tears running through my face remind me of my sweet and kind little brother that has been hurt to the core of his soul since our dad left us. Can you imagine, the hate that these people would need to have in order to think that this kid isn’t loved by God? I pray for him, that he finds some inner peace, and lives a life true to what our dad would have hoped for him.

I feel like these people have completely failed to understand the basic message behind the writings and spirituality. How can someone think that people are judged and punished because of the coverings or not of their hair, that they pray or don’t pray 5 times a day, if they enjoy alcohol or wanna have sex before getting married. Is that really it? What about being kind to your mother? Making your father and grandparents proud? Forgiving people who hurt you, and asking for forgiveness when you’ve hurt someone? Helping the poor & lost and being driven by kindness? Being brave in the face of danger & adversity? Thriving to become a strong and capable human able to protect your family and people? Isn’t that infinitely more important? Isn’t that what someone should strive for ? Practicing Religion should be a help to get you closer to these values and maintain them. Because ultimately, it is about being a good soul. Looking at poverty and getting sad about it. Watching smart kids do good in School and be proud of them. Seeing the eyes of a beautiful woman and thinking, Oh dear God, how your creation is beautiful. And hoping, that maybe, someday, humans will stop looking at each other as potential threats, but as brothers and sisters that are part of this beautiful world, that needs to be taken care of and improved.

Most of my friends have girlfriends, drink alcohol and party, like most people in their 20’s today. Moderately of course, as hedonism is a black hole. Some practice their religion and islam more than others. They all respect and love their parents and siblings. They study well at school and university, have passions, ranging from chess to hip-hop dancing, and most are on track to have great careers in various fields, in their home country and all around the world. They are joyful and considerate. They’re curious and cultivated, like to travel, discover new cultures and people. They try to show respect to everyone, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, skin color, or religion. They want to help humanity. Isn’t that what we should strive for most importantly?

I’d like to finish this text by a phrase that my late grandfather used to say in his prayers : “Dear God, If they forget you, please, don’t forget them”. I think this prayer really shows how we should be compassionate and know that God wants the best for us, and has sent us a message of peace, love and hope. Not of punishment, superstition, judgement and resentment.

PS: Please don’t even get me started on music. The greatest memories I have with my father, are our discussions about singers and how we’d spend entire weekends listening to songs, from Beethoven to Barry White. He used to love the great Oum Kalthoum, But I didn’t, to his great dissatisfaction. But I remember his happiness when I told him that I absolutely loved Frank Sinatra, especially the song “My Way” which I now cannot listen to without weeping like a little kid.