My name is Jacian Fares. I come from the
Al-Fares family of Hebron. My mother was born in Lebanon, my father is a
Spaniard. I was the first generation born in America (Dearborn, Michigan in
fact).
My mother took no stock in religion nor did
she live it, although my grandparents are devout Muslims, I do imagine her
choice and path in life had saddened their hearts. Needless to say my siblings
and I were born without a specific religion. We were to be raised as American
kids.
Under odd circumstances I was the only one of
the three of us to go live in Lebanon for six years, during which I was a
teenager. I shall call this time period ‘my first encounter with Middle East
culture’.
My second phase of encounter came when I was
in the U.S. Marine Corps. I led the invasion into Iraq - not a war I agreed
with, but I was a soldier just doing his job.
In Fallujah and other areas of the Al-Anbar
province, I came to know locals. I had witnessed other Arabs during Ramadan
over the years. I had watched how devoted to their religion they were.
Unfortunately I was shot in Iraq and injured
badly - but it is as Allah wills. I had always believed everything happens for
a reason.
When I had come home I was depressed and
feeling like I had nothing to follow in life. I was used to having routine and
now it was taken from me. My relationship at the time went downhill. So I was
alone. My grandparents had hinted at Islam, as well as my aunt. During August
of 2008 I read the Quran. And it just clicked. It made sense to me, more so
than the Bible or the Torah. It was very straight to the point. Muslim life has
routine. I needed this change in my life, to find my true self.
"This Quran does indeed show the
straightest way. It gives the faithful who do right the good news that they
will have a great reward." (Al-Israa17:9)
Finally I had routine. I had reasons to live
for and make my life that much better.
I can say I had made many friends over the
past year, all of different Middle Eastern countries; from Egypt, Palestine,
Jordan, and Qatar. And these friends helped in developing who I am now. And for
that I am forever thankful.
This year I have witnessed my second Ramadan.
Sadly, I could not fast because of being unwell. But I donated food, money, and
time to people in need for all thirty days. And this year is special, my
birthday falls on Eid al-Fitr.
And while I am stuck here in America, alone,
I am not alone. People in the Muslim communities treat me as any other family
member.
And I have to say this life we live, the Deen
(Islamic way of life) we live, it brings us all together. It brings us together
and makes us brothers and sisters every day of our lives — even without feasts.
So I promise I will always treat everyone as
my brother or sister, help out ones in need, even in times without special
purpose. I will do this every day of my life.
"Worship God; join nothing with Him; and
do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near,
neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye
meet), and to your slaves: For God does not like arrogant, boastful
people." (An-Nisaa4:36)
I love Ramadan and what it represents. It
reminds us what being a good Muslim is. But I propose that we make everyday of
our lives like Ramadan and share with our fellow man and woman.
As Muslims we can make this world a better
place, no matter how the media tries projecting us as, no matter how ignorant
people believe we are, we can honestly make this world a better place.
"Show forgiveness, speak for justice and
avoid the ignorant." (Al-Aaraf 7:199)
We should never push our God onto anyone, but
we should inform the ones interested correctly. That's how it was done with me;
I've come a long way with the support and help of my brothers and sisters, my
friends and family in Islam.
I choose Islam because it's part of who I am.
I've reverted back to what my family has believed. I now live how they live.
This is all because reading the Quran was suggested to me. I'm happy and proud
of myself for doing so. The Quran has led me to finding my true self. And now
my God has a name: Allah.
I suggest to non-believers to keep an open
mind and just look at what the Quran has to say. There is more there to it, if
read with open eyes. The Quran is simply a tool and guide that we should use to
live a correct path. It promotes peace, love, and a strong trust in Allah.
"What will explain to you what the steep
path is? It is to free a slave, to feed at a time of hunger an orphaned
relative or a poor person in distress, and to be one of those who believe and
urge one another to steadfastness and compassion." (Al-Balad 12-17)
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