Someone gave me a new winter coat and gloves to pass on to some needy refugee. Arshad was very happy to receive them. But a few days later I received a phone call from the receptionist at an Islamic office. When Arshad made the gift known a lady, who works as an Islamic community worker, planted the thought in her head that it could be a set up to accuse her of stealing. I reassured the receptionist it was truly a gift and asked her if it was okay to show such kindness? She was embarrassed and said it was okay.
I have been
amazed at the conspiracy theories that float around among a few of my Muslim friends.
False ideas can be created about who I am, what I do, hidden agenda, why certain
help or gifts are given, or why a Muslim converted to Christianity, etc. Frequently there are questions about my citizenship or
what my parents were doing in Yemen or Somalia or Ed and I in Pakistan. Beyond those kinds of things I often hear
conspiracy theories about politics from my Muslim friends. An educated
Pakistani friend had conspiracy theories about many political events in her home country. Her deep level of distrust and suspicion frustrated me. Another wealthy and educated Muslim woman
devours all the news and documentaries because she is convinced “a game is
going on.” Or, “There’s an outside force producing this.” Conspiracy theories
abound. Many don’t know who the real
enemy is or what is real or fake news. I just finished reading I Am
Malala, by Malala Yousafzai. She is
the young Pashtun girl from Swat Valley who bravely fought for the right of
girls to get an education and the Taliban shot her but miraculously she
survived. In her book she often refers to conspiracy theories that people have
made about her efforts.
To be honest, Christians can also have conspiracy theories about our Muslim friends; especially when suddenly we can't have contact with them or they don't respond to phone messages, or wonder why they have immigrated to the West. We can jump to false conclusions or conspiracy ideas. Human beings want to know the reason behind everything.
To be honest, Christians can also have conspiracy theories about our Muslim friends; especially when suddenly we can't have contact with them or they don't respond to phone messages, or wonder why they have immigrated to the West. We can jump to false conclusions or conspiracy ideas. Human beings want to know the reason behind everything.
As one who
ministers among Muslim women I hear their conspiracy theories and occasionally
am also the brunt of it. One time, many
years, ago, a particular group of university students from an Islamic country,
spread a powerful conspiracy theory among themselves about me. It
took four years for it to die down and for trust to be rebuilt. I learned
quickly that with students from that particular country, one should not hold a
pen and paper in hand when helping them individually with learning English because it produced a conspiracy theory that I was collecting information. Sometimes if
a Christian appears very comfortable with an Islamic culture or can speak their language false ideas can
sometimes arise about her.
None of
this is new. When Jesus was born conspiracy ideas arose with King Herod. I’m
sure there were conspiracy theories about Joseph and Mary, too. Perhaps there
were conspiracy theories about where they disappeared to and why. Maybe the
magnificent star became a conspiracy issue for some people in Bethlehem. For
sure many conspiracy theories went around about Jesus’ teaching, miracles,
identity, and death and resurrection. He just kept on doing good. He didn’t
feel like He had to prove Himself with those who were stuck with conspiracy
theories.
If your
motives or ministering are questioned just keep on doing good. Love never fails.
Dear
heavenly Father, help me to press on like Jesus did, when conspiracy theories spread. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
