I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing,and that is that I know nothing.
- Socrates
Jan 27, 2023
I, along with many other students from the Global Studies program, went to experience Friday Prayers at the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center. We got to the mosque and were greeted with open arms as we were led into the sanctuary. Even though we were outsiders it did not feel as such. The Imam gave a lovely sermon, while we watched, and listened. Then after that was over, we got to talk with the Imam and his wife about their lives as Imam and Wife of the Imam and about Islam and religion in General.
Obviously, this directly connects to the theme of religion, but also the hidden theme of “non-violence war.” At this time, the nation of Islam is a very hated group because of the words and actions of many public leaders including Presidents, Governors Etc. As well as ignorance. This experience was one that gave me the opportunity to delve into how much Islam means to the people we talked to and how their relationship with their religion and their love for their religion is very similar to mine. Religion for me is a set of values to live by, and the Imam and his wife were saying exactly that. This was a wonderful event and I took a lot out of it and thank the Imam and his wife for their generosity in talking to us and lending us their time.