Part 2

I was originally going to tell you this story with the previous post but the other story got in the way and I think both deserve their own post.

After the abridged version of recent religious history in Rwanda by one Senator, another spoke up. He broke into his version of why Christians and Muslims get along so well in Rwanda. He started the way many people do, “well you know Rwanda is a small country and has a lot of people.” I have heard this line countless times. He then said, well unlike other groups, the Muslims are really spread out. They are not a huge portion of the population but you usually find a couple believers in every village you visit. With this, many Rwandese are always close to Muslims, they are neighbors, friends and coworkers. When you get to know people, I think everyone finds out that were all human and not that different. He then threw a curveball at the class.

So my family is Catholic, my wife and I attend mass fairly regularly but one of my boys has always been interested in Islam. As he was growing into a young man, I let him make many of his own choices. I knew he had many Muslim friends and I was ok with it. When he was 21 he came home one day and said dad, I have converted to Islam.

Everyone in the room shifted in their seats and some let out a little audible shock.

It took a little bit of time to accept but it was his decision and he is happy with Islam. How could I stop him from doing something he feels called to. He is a good son. He is finishing at NUR now and wants to work for a non-profit. I am proud of him regardless of how he prays. I just can’t imagine us all getting to heaven and God giving us a stamp of approval depending on what religion we believe in. It was us as humans who created religion. We are the ones who have created divisiveness, not God, and look what it has brought us. (Sidenote: Pause and think of the gravity of what he has just said. This is coming from a man who has lived through genocide, the greatest consequence of divisiveness. This man lost both his parents, a brother, his wife’s parents, and 2 nephews. The man sitting next to him lost his wife to genocide. His words are meaning more than just words here.)

He continued onward, I think God is going to say, what have you done my son? I gave you my beautiful earth, how did you live on it?

The room was clearly divided on his last comments, some when to questions, others went to applause.

Every night is special at Parliament for me.