I was traveling to Birmingham from Dublin yesterday for work. On the flight, a middle-aged man, Sean (mid to late 60s), was seated next to me. He said hello and started asking me if I was going to the UK for work or for some other reason. He is a Christian, owns a business, and has many businesses in Ireland. He has a partner, a daughter, and two grandkids.
Our conversation starter was him asking,
“What is that thing on your head?” and “Why do you wear it?”
but in a very polite and sincere way, out of genuine curiosity. So I gave the classic answer, “It’s called hijab, and I wear it because I am Muslim.” He began talking about his time when he was working with Arabs and what it was like. I told him about the origins of Islam, and how it started in Arabia, and then there were to-and-fro questions. He was so pleased and shocked to find out that, for us as Muslims, we absolutely believe in Jesus and the existence of the Bible. He asked me about the key differences in belief.
Then he asked me why we don’t eat certain things, and I said, “Well, in order for you to understand the reason, we have to discuss the foundation of Islam. It’s all about understanding the core of the belief.” He got more involved in the discussion when he saw that I didn’t believe in Islam because I was born this way, and how I used to go to church and be interested in other religions, and because I didn’t shake his hand. I told him what encompasses the foundation of Islam (existence, oneness, revelation, prophethood, and then the existence of the afterlife, angels, etc.).
It was a light conversation. He kept showing me pictures of his work, family, and stuff. I showed him a picture of my husband and how I’ve been finding Ireland so far.
Did I discuss any of it in detail? No.
Was it a perfect conversation? No.
Is there anything such as a perfect Dawah situation? No.
But did I try my best to leave him with something thought-provoking to build on? Absolutely!!!
