Sorry for not being able to reply to your comments and for not being around on your blogs lately, but I just need a break for now. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks inshAllah! In the meanwhile, I request you all to remember me in your prayers! Ma’assalamah!
I’m a big advocate of free society, free culture. I believe that we should not be looking to others to break the baseless norms of society that have formed over centuries, and in recent decades decayed into more menacing rules, thanks to the glossy coat of educated words slapped across their faces.
But sometimes even I think that we take our free culture too far. Especially when it comes to public mannerisms. A few days back, I was with acuqaintances at a restaurant where, primarily, sea-food was being served. Now this one guy, he starts eating like he hasn’t eaten in ages. And then loudly begins to express his views on to-each-his-own. Why’re you looking at me when I’m eating? How is it any of your business? kind of arguments.
Please. Is this really what we’re promoting here? There should be some rules to exercise. I’m not asking you to pick up a knife and a cracker to eat out crabs if you’re an Arab – but please, learn from fellow Arabs how to sit at a table. Follow your own traditions, but stick to something!