Ramadan is ending

The holy time of Ramadan is ending in the Islamic world. It is a time of fasting and prayer. Muslim art forbids the use of images so geometric designs are prevalant. I made this one with a flower photo I took and then applied a graphic filter. Flowers and animals are okay to depict if they are not glorified. I belief this information is correct. I studied Islamic art in graduate school and it was enlightening to find this out about it. No humans should be depicted in their art. The focus on designs absent of images has made Muslim traditional art used in rugs and elsewhere outstanding and in demand throughout the world.

This time during Ramadan, there is more talk from the US about withdrawal from Iraq. A Muslim mother of 6 was slain in Fremont near here, her community says it is because she is Muslim and was wearing her head scarf, (I don't know the name for it). She shielded her young child's body as the murderer pumped 6 bullets into her. It is a shocking example if not a hate crime, of a horrible crime against a woman and mother. She shines over the evil of it in her great courage as a mother, as a woman, unarmed, in the cowardly act in how it was carried out, a car racing by shooting from anonymity.

I hope we have a peaceful Thanksgiving in our country. I am still deeply moved by the Amish community's awesome forgiveness of the atrocity wreaked on their children and families.

I must learn to practice forgiveness as a way of life as a Christian. That sweet, devoted community in Pennsylvania set a powerful example as we approach the holidays in our country.