Man#1 stands outside a small food stall on a dirty corner somewhere in a North American city. While waiting for his sandwich, Man#1 is approached by Man#2. Man#2 addresses Man#1 with a thick accent:
Man#2: You Muslim?
Man#1: Yes, I am. Are you?
Man#2: [Chuckles]…, you Muslim, huh? Where you get that bag?
Man#1: I bought it. Online.
Man#2: You know what this means [Man#2 points to Man#1’s bag]?
Man#1: Yes. It’s the Prophet’s San…
Man#2: Yes, let me please tell you. It’s the Prophet’s Sandal.
Man#1: Yes, I know it is. I bou…
Man#2: Where you get this? You Muslim?
Man#1: Yes, akhi. I am a Mus…
Man#2: You read Holy Qur’an?
Man#1: Yes, I do. I used to teach…
Man#2: This book is Holy Book. In Arabic language. Not like your English.
Man#1: Yes, I know. I studied Ara…
Man#2: My father was shaykh. I used to know many Qur’ans. Many suwrah.
Man#1: Oh, that’s great. Umm…, well, I gotta be…
Man#2: You pray? You pray the salah?
Man#1: Yes, akhi. I pray 5 times a…
Man#2: My grandfather was a shaykh. He knew the whole Qur’an.
Man#1: That’s great. Look, I’d really love to…
Man#2: Ma’sha Allah, may God guide you. I have to go now. I own a party store. I have to get back.
Man#1: Oh, okay. We’ll maybe I’ll see…
Man#2: It’s not haram!! Wa’Allahi al-’Adheem!, I don’t drink. This is for the kafirs. I sell only to kafir.
Man#1: Sure. Okay, well, it was nice…
Man#2: I have to go. You Muslims, right?
God as my witness, this exchange took place right after my moving to Philadelphia. It was one of the funniest moments in my life. I know there are some of you out there that have had this same experience with almost the same exact guy! Well, just a little humor to start the week with.
