Hoping and Praying for the Gulf Coast States

I'm sitting here watching the news and I'm thinking "No, no, no, no, not again". I wasn't even near New Orleans when Katrina hit, but I watched it on T.V. and I watched what followed. Now it seems to be happening again, and my heart is breaking.

Gustav is poised to hit the gulf coast states, and every prediction indicates this one will be bad. The mayor of New Orleans has said "you need to be scared, you need to be concerned, and you need to get your butts out of New Orleans, right now". I remember last time watching and wondering how this could be happening here, in the U.S., where we have seemingly limitless resources when we want to. I hope, I pray that we do better this time. I hope and pray that our government is better prepared. I hope and pray that better choices and decisions are made.

If you can, give your time, give your money, give blood. I'm afraid it will all be needed again and more than ever after this newest meteorological threat. And if you can't get give time or money or blood, please give your thoughts and prayers.

May God watch over and protect those in danger and see them through the difficult times that seem to be on their way.

http://www.redcross.org/

~Karen Martin-Elbahesh
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com

Coming Together

I just read a fabulous book called "The Faith Club" it's a story/autobiography about a Muslim, a Christian and a Jewish woman who get together to write a children's book about the commonalities in their religions. They realize the must first discover and discuss what these "commonalities" are and end up having a series of fabulous interfaith discussions, where they learn about each other, confront each other's and their own prejudices, talk about really tough issues and ultimately reaffirm one another's faith. It is a wonderful book, and shows that our differences don't have to divide us; that honest and thoughtful conversation can overcome just about anything when one is open to listen and speak from the heart.

After I read the book. I went to hear the authors speak (totally a fluke of fate--I found out they were in ATL an hour before the event and totally by chance). It was amazing and inspiring, Maybe it's not to naive to hope....

I encourage everyone to read this book, you can learn so much about cultures that are in our media, but not in any real, comprehensive way. Who knows maybe you'll be inspired.

http://www.thefaithclub.com/

Karen
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com