“Oh my dear, you’re going to hell!”
I kid you not, these were the words said to me when I first went to a church service as an adult. Thankfully, God has a plan and ten years later I was baptised.
I grew up as an Ismaili Muslim. I was passionate about my faith, I loved God. I knew him working in my life. I Had been taught that the God I worshipped was the God of the Christians and the Jews. So when my now husband invited me to watch him play drums at his church, I wasn’t going to say no. It was Eid that day, so after Eid celebrations, still dressed in my lehenga, I went to his church. As he had to pack up the drum kit, Jon invited me to have a drink at the back of the church while I waited for him. A lady approached me.
“That’s a nice outfit, where’s it from?”
“It’s from India.” I replied.
“Ooh, an Indian Christian, I’ve never met one of them before.”
“Oh, I’m not a Christian, I’m a Muslim.”
“Oh my dear, you’re going to hell!” I started to laugh thinking she was joking, she continued, “I’m not joking dear, you’re going to hell. You may be a very nice person, but you’re still going to hell.”
I started to explain that there’s very little difference in our beliefs and she interrupted me.
“Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?”
“Well, No.”
“Then you’re going to hell.”
I wish I could tell you that this experience was unusual and that there are only a few Christians who behave this way, but the truth is that I have met so many Christians who condemn Muslims, but have compassion for prostitutes or the homeless. As if compassion is reserved for those who are spoken about directly in the bible.
In the world we live in today, the Muslim has had plenty of bad press. People associate Islam with terrorism and the oppression of women. They are very much the modern day equivalent of the biblical tax collector. Feeding the homeless is an acceptable behaviour, but inviting a Muslim to the dinner table?
The bottom line is that Jesus’ ministry, for want of a better word, didn’t start with condemnation, on the contrary, Jesus doesn’t even condemn an adulterous woman she is caught in the act (John 8). Jesus starts with relationship, with love, with healing. When you encounter a Muslim, how will you begin your conversation? Will you be aggressive, defensive, or open and ready to listen?
There are millions of Muslims who are praying to the God that they believe is the God of Abraham, the God of the Jews and Christians. Would the God you believe in, ignore their prayers? Perhaps it’s time to ask God to answer their calls.
Anisa Ismail Wright
Facilitator, Author & Creative
It is our differences that define and connect us.
https://anisawright.substack.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Presence-My-Enemies-Choice-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B09Y4KMSSM