Facebook education

Anyone who's played on Facebook knows how much fun it can be. It's
fun to see what family and friends are up to and see their pictures,
especially if they live far away. But I've also discovered it can be
quite an education too. I've discovered the group pages you can join
for special interests. In my case, I've joined some pages for
broadcasting professionals, some book and writers groups, (networking
there) some Catholic pages and others. Often, if I post something, or
comment on a post I'll get friend requests from people. I've really
made some good friends this way, in the USA and in different parts of
the world. It's quite fascinating to get to know these people.
    As much fun as that is, I've had my eyes opened to a serious
issue. I was happily cruising on a Catholic page and I saw a post that
started "I am a Muslim and I come in peace." Then he asked a question
in a very respectful manner. Some people tried to answer him honestly.
One guy said "Go read your Qu'ran." I just thought that was wrong. So
I sent the guy a private e-mail and said "I'm sorry someone was rude
to you." Then we exchanged some more emails and became Facebook
friends. He is actually in England. He invited me to some of his
pages. Then his friends started adding me and adding me to their
pages. Now I have lots of Muslim friends in different parts of the
world. I've learned about interfaith dialogue. These wonderful people
have welcomed me onto their pages and I've learned a lot from them.
Much of what the media wants us to believe is not true. The women I've
met there are not oppressed, and wear the hajib by choice. They are
happy to share with those willing to listen. They will happily answer
questions asked with respect.
   I think often of my first Muslim Facebook friend and think of his
courage in reaching out like that on a Catholic page. It's people like
him and his friends, I think, that can help bring about peace and
understanding. By communicating directly, people to people that we can
bust the myths we've heard and find out what others are really like.
   So have fun on Facebook. Careful! You might actually learn something!