Israel

I was looking back at some of my old entries, after a friend had asked me what I blogged about, and I realized I used to discuss my journey in Israel much more. I wondered whether it had to do with something more than just having changed the name of my blog (formerly: Journey in Israel). Is it because I've gotten comfortable? Does getting comfortable imply I'm losing touch with the sacredness of the land in which I live? I don't want to do that.

Comfortable with my surroundings, okay. I like having a pharmacist that knows which drug to pull for me before I even walk in the door. But I don't want to forget all of the struggles that went into building and tending the beautiful surroundings I now enjoy. I don't want to forget the holiness of the people buried in the shrines I walk by on my way to and from work every day. I don't want to forget what a privilege it is to be here - that for millions of people it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to come here for a mere 9 days - if that.

Beyond that, I've been thinking about Iran a lot lately. Probably for two reasons: 1. I'm studying the Kitab-i-Iqan (Baha'u'llah's defense of the Babi Faith to one of the Bab's uncles before Baha'u'llah declared His own mission), which focuses on Islam and Muslims to a great extent and 2. I proofread a number of Persian translations - so they make me think. The Baha'is in Iran have been so oppressed by the government for so long one would be likely to think they are worn down, worn out and generally a mean set of people. And yet they aren't (this is general knowledge - I'm not sharing stuff from work). They have recently written an open letter to the President of Iran demanding redress for all the injustices continuously heaped upon them. It being an open letter many, many people have seen it in Iran, which means the Baha'is are being recognized by many and vilified by some. And yet they dare and they dream and they love and they give - as unrelenting as the government is in being heinous, they are in remaining dignified and noble. Granted, I am well aware that they are not the only set of people in the world who are suffering injustices heaped upon them.

But when I think of these people, a number of which who have left the country, told their story and are my friends, I know I can do more. They who fear nothing, and often get just that in return, are such an example to me.