Eye on Faith: October 2018

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Julie Come Home

Is that you? (Photo by Trent Condellone)

Although Julie the Cat went missing for six whole years, she instantly recognized her owner when they reunited.

Jon Gulla’s family never gave up on finding Julie. They searched for years until a lead finally appeared. An online description of “a stray that sounded a lot like Julie” was

noticed by Gulla’s mother.

When Gulla went to see if this were Julie, he found her cowering under a shed. She had only been coming out to accept offers of food.

But as soon as she heard Gulla’s voice, Julie “came right to him.” Their “purr-filled reunion” went smoothly as they both headed on home.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/missing-cat-living-as-stray-recognizes-owner-after-6-years-apart/ar-BBOWLDV?li=BBnbcA0&ocid=BHEA000

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Sinead to Shahada

Sinead in 2008 (Photo by Leah Pritchard)

Sinead O’Connor has long been fascinated with religion. For years, this meant one version or another of Christianity.

Now it means Islam.

Sinead recently became Shahada, then announced that her conversion is “the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian’s journey.” How so? As Shahada sees it, “All scripture leads to Islam.”

Shahada also sees herself as “an ugly old hag,” but as a “very, very, very happy” one. But wait! Is feeling ugly compatible with superlative happiness?

Hard saying. Perhaps it’s all part of that grand conundrum we’re all grappling with.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/sinead-oconnor-reveals-shes-converted-to-islam-i-am-proud-to-have-become-a-muslim/ar-BBOUlAo?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000

Monday, October 29, 2018

Muslims Respond

Gabriel and Muhammad (Public Domain)

Showing that love is way stronger than hate, Muslims far and wide are following the “Prophetic tradition on standing up for the Jewish community.”

Muslim non-profits, such as MPower Change and Celebrate Mercy, are raising money to support victims of the recent synagogue shootings. Response has been terrific, with $50,000 coming through in less than a day.

On a more local level, the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh is also showing great solidarity. Members are pitching in to help with protection, trips to stores, etc.

Tarek El-Messidi, founder of Celebrate Mercy, explained that American Muslims have also experienced the horrors of hatred, “which is all the more reason to reach out to others in their time of need.”

Resources

https://www.yahoo.com/news/apos-respond-hate-love-apos-211605359.html