I think sometimes it feels safer to look at people and figure out what's different about them because then you can hold them at arm's distance, you can shelter yourself more easily, you can pretend like they don't matter as much if they are different enough.
But are any of us really that different from each other? Does our religion or politics or race or country of origin actually make us separate or better or more righteous or more intelligent? We like to say, "I'm right, so they must be wrong." We like black and white, cut and dry, no if's, and's or but's about it. But just because those ideas sometimes make life seem simpler doesn't mean life is actually like that.
Because all too often something jumps out and makes us realize that a person or a group or an idea wasn't actually as different or wrong or backwards as we thought it was, and if we are wise we can use that moment as an opportunity to reevaluate and think and grow.
I found the following prayer in a book called, "What Do Muslims Believe?" by Ziauddin Sardar. According to Sardar, "Just as the sun passes the meridian, two million pilgrims stand in unison, and pray as they have never prayed before. From north to south, and east to west, as far as the eye can see, line after line of pilgrims, of all races, colours and class, all dressed in white, stand together, bow down in synch, and prostrate themselves in unison." This is what they pray together on the plains of Arafat:
You,
Rescuer of the drowned!
Saviour of the lost!
Witness of every secret thought!
End of all lamentations!
You, Whose beneficence is without beginning or end!
You, Whose goodness is eternal!
You, of Whom all things are in need!
And without Whom none can exist!
You, O God, Who provides provision for all--
And to Whom all return!
You, to Whom the hands of those who supplicate are lifted,
And towards Whom worshipers yearn!
I ask You to place us in Your protection,
And Your generosity,
And Your refuge,
And Your shelter,
And Your security.
