Former Wrangell resident Sarah Aslam spoke Aug. 16 to a community gathering at Island of Faith Lutheran Church on her relationship to her Islamic faith. Rather than a theological or an “Intro-to-Islam” presentation, she said she wanted to share what living day by day in her faith tradition means to her.
“I’m not an expert,” she said, “just a messy, imperfect human who wants to share the beauty of my faith.”
She began by noting that depictions of Muslims in movies, television and even news stories often use daily prayers as a formative image. Because these prayers are in Arabic, and use postures that are not common to other faith traditions, they are often interpreted as suspect or dangerous, she said.
Aslam explained that the various prayer postures progressively engage the whole body, much like yoga poses. She then recited the five prayers, first in Arabic, then translated into English. The English translations revealed petitions filled with praise, thanksgiving and repentance, not unlike the prayers of other faith traditions.
She played an extended call to prayer, noting that one addition to the morning call is “prayer is better than sleep.” While there is no congregational singing or instrumental accompaniment, the joined voices in Arabic, with its rhythm and tonality, create a musicality that creates a beauty, whether each person individually can carry a tune or not.
She went on to speak of other practices, which include wearing head coverings and abstaining from pork and alcohol. She explained that halal foods primarily apply to meat products, as a way of ensuring a humane killing process for the animals. She joked that even so, when she travels her mother sends her with a variety of foods, just in case, and so she had spinach pies to share after her presentation in Wrangell.
Aslam worked as a reporter at the Sentinel from September 2021 to June 2022, before returning home to Florida.
During a question-and-answer period after her talk, she acknowledged that historical alliances and other divisions are what makes the news about the Islamic faith, but her focus is on the tenets of peace and mercy. The only time she has felt unease as a practicing Muslim was after 9/11, but that was due to “misconceptions of my faith,” she said. “You can’t let it keep the smile off your face — you have to keep on what you believe in.”
She encouraged the audience to combat fear and fearmongering through information and knowledge, not misconceptions.
After the presentation, the group stayed for refreshments (including spinach pies), conversation and connection. Aslam said the Wrangell community had given her so much, she wanted to give something back with her presentation. One participant said that what Aslam shared had empowered them to go out into the community to correct misinformation.
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