American Taliban

American Taliban by Pearl Abraham Page B

Book: American Taliban by Pearl Abraham Read Free Book Online
Authors: Pearl Abraham
Tags: Fiction, Literary
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mysticism and Arab literature who wants to learn toread the works in their original language, then you must take the time to immerse yourself in Arab language and culture, which means moving to an Arab country, eating and dressing like an Arab, and learning the language the only way language can be learned: through daily use. But please take my advice only if you’re serious about your interests and not merely a poseur.

From: Fawal bin Sina < [email protected] >
    To: Attar [email protected]
    Date: August 25, 2000
    RE: Arabic classes
    Salaam Attar,
    We are grateful for your interest in the Brooklyn branch of the Sharia School of Classical Arabic. Classes for the semester have begun in July and will continue through to the end of January. If as you say you are already studying the language, you may be able to join the group belatedly. In the beginner’s course, the alphabet and some grammar are some of the first areas covered. If you’ve already mastered these, you will most likely be ahead. Perhaps it’s best to come in and take a placement exam. For the cultural and historical lessons missed, your instructor can assign you supplemental readings.
    You may register via our website or alternatively when you visit the school in person.
    May Allah be with you,
    Fawal bin Sina

From: Abdul [email protected]
    To: Attar [email protected]
    Date: August 25, 2000
    RE: middle ages
    I am responding to Naim’s comments. His take on what you wrote is really really really narrow-minded; he sounds like someone’s fundamentalist grandmother, may Allah protect him. It’s super ridiculous to study with a narrow mind.
    Attar, in my opinion, you should feel free to approach your scholarship from any and all angles, and what better way than with an open mind toward all religion and all prophets and all cultures. Follow the words of our great sheikh Ibn Arabi: I am capable of every form.
    We are all born of Adam, or, if you’re into science, we’re all evolved from apes, whatever, it’s the same one source, therefore why shouldn’t all innate human wisdom hark back to one source, be it Sufism, Buddhism, Zen, Abrahamic Kabbalah, the Masons, the Coalmen, the American Odd Fellows, New Age, the Zoroastrians, or whatever name spirituality happens to be going under. I agree with you that it’s all trying for the same thing, even when taking different paths to get there.
    Scholars wiser than Naim have pointed out that believing in infinity or zero, which by the way was discovered by Arab mathematicians, is a form of skepticism that leads to self-knowledge. Certainty, on the other hand, leads only to mean narrow-mindedness and evil, like the Spanish Inquisition.

 
     
    THEY CAME THE NEXT DAY , post tide, with salt and sand and stoke and coconut aloha. They tumbled into his room, talking all at once: The surf has been beastly, Sylvie said. Totally bruising, Jilly said. Awesome, Katie finished. She was as blond and tan as ever, legs long and lean and strong. And her eyes, they were see-through blue, he was looking into her soul. They hugged, making room for his awkward double casts.
    When did Jilly return, John asked, happy to see their threesome existence restored.
    This morning—Katie shrugged—when I drove up to her house and stayed on my horn until she came out.
    My mom worried about the neighbors and made me go out, Jilly said.
    What made you do it? John asked, looking at Katie. He felt capable of falling in love with her all over again, as if he weren’t already.
    I woke up and I just wanted her in the water with us. We’ve been surfing buddies since fifth grade and it seemed too silly to stop now. Besides we were coming to see you after, and I knew she’d want to visit.
    We’re saving money for Hawaii, Sylvie said. You should come with us.
    Definitely, Katie said. Your casts will be off by then.
    But, John said, I’ve been thinking of moving to Brooklyn. To study Arabic.
    Arabic, Katie echoed.
    Difficult choice, Jilly

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