Se llama Obama

It looks like Iowa picked Obama for the democratic candidate.  Let’s just hope the rest of the states vote against war and for change!!

Gurage Language

One of the main tribes in Ethiopia is called the Gurage, but there are several clans of Gurage, and it’s difficult to find materials for learning their languages.  Wolf Leslau compiled a serious dictionary back in the day, but it costs at least $400.  So, I’m going to hold off on that.  I’m not looking to learn the language fluently, but I would like to be able to greet people and say some basic phrases when I go to Ethiopia in 2008.  That’s because I’ll be a groomsman in a Soddo Gurage wedding.  So far, I’ve only been able to find what’s on wikipedia and this link to a Christian evangelistic site.  I’ll take what I can get!

Amharic SMS

I gotta get one of these phones!!  I have an Arabic phone, though I haven’t tried it in the US.  Anyway, it is probably extremely cumbersome to text in Amharic without T-9 or predictive text, but it would just be cool to be able to do it.

Here’s the article from the BBC:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7138128.stm

Ron Paul

I’m not fully convinced on Ron Paul, but he’s the only Republican that I could support.  This blog entry is fairly compelling, at least on the issues of war and national security.

Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land

This is a full-length documentary on how the American media deals with Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.  It shows the location of Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank as well as why former peace agreements have not worked.  A major point in the film is that the media largely portrays Palestinians as the aggressor, while Israel violates UN resolutions.  Think of 40 years of occupation – roughly 2 generations of military rule by a foreign power.  The film does not question the legitimacy of the Israeli state; rather, it focuses on the Palestinian territories.  I think it’s amazing how CNN refers to the illegal settlements as “neighborhoods”.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6604775898578139565&hl=en

On Political Theology

Mark Lilla at Cato Unbound has posted an excellent article about politics and theology and the “Great Separation” of church and state which also separates the United States from most of the world, especially the Muslim world (here).  Of particular interest is his mention of Hobbes and the importance of anthropology in this discussion.

Islamic Languages

The Language Log has posted an interesting article on the reference to “Islamic” languages.  The gist of it is that there is no such family of languages.  I believe it was Kenneth Cragg (correct me if I’m wrong) who wrote about living in a non-Arab Islamic context.  He writes of asking Muslim children what language they were speaking.  Referring to Arabic, they responded “We’re speaking Muslim.”  So, I would assume that, if someone referred to “Muslim” as a language, it would mean Arabic.

Eid Mubarak

Today is the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and the month in which Muhammad first began receiving the revelation of the Qur’an.  Muslims (at least the Sunnis) have finished one month of fasting and will eat to their heart’s content with family and friends for three days during a holiday called Eid al-Fitr.  Piety, forgiveness, and unity are celebrated in worship of Allah.

Very few non-Muslims in the US are even aware of when Ramadan occurs and few understand the significance.  Wikipedia (here) can help explain that.  As a Christian, I sometimes question to what extent I should participate in Muslim holidays and whether I should wish Muslims a happy Eid.  Many Christians think that participating may imply full support of the theology of Islam.  It seems, however, that I can participate and celebrate with Muslims, and Muslims still understand that I am, in fact, a Christian, not a Muslim.  At the same time, Muslims will wish me a Merry Christmas, though we both understand that they don’t assent to the divinity of Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes:   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  (12:14-16)

It doesn’t seem that Paul is talking only about Christians here.  There may have been intra-faith conflict in the first century, but he seems to be referring to non-Christians as “those who persecute you.”  In this context, if we are to bless those who persecute us, how much more should we rejoice with our Muslim neighbor who is not persecuting us.  It seems that rejoicing and mourning with our neighbors, Christian or non-Christian, in a humble manner (v16) will result in living in harmony.

So, I called my friends in Jordan this morning and hope to call my friends here later to wish them a Eid Mubarak.  Also, happy Eid to my Muslim readers.

501 Verbs

Barron’s has finally released their update to 201 Arabic Verbs with the new, improved 501 Arabic Verbs.  I used to scoff at these books, but the Arabic verb system is very complex and forces even the advanced learner to consult verb charts.  So, thanks Barron’s!  It looks like you’ll have to wait for their Hebrew update.

Space Fatwa

Muslims are required to pray five times a day. This prayer requires kneeling and facing in the direction of Mecca. So, what is a Muslim to do during space travel? You can engage confidently in space travel now that the National Fatwa Council has come up with answers to these questions and more here. Remember that Muslims are not required to fast while traveling (it is Ramadan).

Wired.com has a more in-depth article which includes the actual document they created.