For some period of time now I have been reading a book, The Book of Khalid, by Ameen Rihani. It is the 100th year anniversary of its printing. What makes it unique is that it is the first Arab-American writing in English. He also was the mentor and contemporary of Khalil Gibran.
For me it has been a very slow read because of the richness of the language. It is rather like reading a complicated text in a King James version of the bible after you’re used to a contemporary translation. Also image what the world was like a 100 years ago in New and in the mid-east. The lead character in the story, which likely mirrors Rihani’s experience, appears to be a Christian Arab who uses Allah as God’s name. I rather like that.
The book was also free or nearly so for a kindle from Amazon, thus part of the appeal. It is not a read for the faint of heart but gives a unique look into the American and Lebanese societies of the time.
Today I read an article in The Christian Century magazine by Paul-Gordon Chandler called Clashes and coalitions. It as about outbreaks of violence between Christians and Muslims in Cario. There was a bit of a Hatfield McCoy part of the story while violence began while their priest begged them to stop. But the violence occurred. The priest said the clash was not between Christians and Muslims (who were not armed) but by pro-Mubarak members of the State Security and members of Mubarak’s National Democratic Party; go figure. Many of both faiths have since joined together to try to stop such violence. I was particularly struck by a picture of a young girl celebrating the Day of National unity, March 11 one month after Muburak’s resignations. She had a cross and a crescent painted on her face.
How things change and stay the same.
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