The Redline

In the mid of 90s and particularly after declaring the Barcelona Process in 1995, a lot of efforts were geared to increase the interactions between the youth from both sides of the Mediterranean Sea- or the big lake; hosted and managed by the European Commission. I was a teenager then, I remember vividly when the French Ambassador came to my school, and spoke before us –the students- about the importance of intercultural exchange, as it enhances tolerance and understanding among nations, that we- the youth- have the responsibility to make our future a better one, since the foundation on Barcelona has been established.

Languages fascinate me, I always seek to learn new languages, and it frustrates me a lot to be in a country where I am not familiar with the language. Language is a beautiful human interaction. So, I was selected to be among other Jordanians to go on a youth exchange hosted by the Spanish Government, under the name of “Differences Unite Us”. It was indeed a great experience for me. I thought then I would go back to my own country and start spreading the concept of co-existence, especially among, Muslims, Christians and Jews. I grew up in a family where we truly have great respect to all religions, in addition, to the fact that Jordan is so unique in this regard, or at least, this is how it appeared to me.

Talking about religion and sex is such a taboo is my part of the World- A Redline- You would be regarded as a rude or gross person if you encourage such talks. Usually, and because we are trained not to debate, or investigate, we just carry what we have learnt at home and school;
Muslim men can marry four women, one can be a Christian. Muslim woman can only marry one man, and her life can be absolutely destroyed by our rigid society if she ever gets a divorce. In addition, she must be virgin. Christians on the other hand, regard Muslims-even silently- as inferiors, while Muslims believe that all Christians will go to hell. Such a shame, we claim to have an amazing inter faith dialogues and we co-exist yet, we stuff our children with all these stereotypes and lies. I had 2 long relationships with Christian foreign men, I have never felt that religion would be a barrier to continue being in the relationship, or even take it to another level of commitment, because I always believe that you don’t choose whom you fall in love with. We all have one God, who loves us dearly and surrounds us with million of blessings. Yet, recently, I am witnessing such a ridiculous movement in my own society, where Christians are getting more and more into each other and Muslims are closing doors of tolerance to our Christian brothers. How could we be open to other cultures, nations, and religions, if we in a small city are being discriminate? I have Christians friends who are like a family to me, but again, they cannot fall in love with a Muslim, whether a man or woman. It honestly breaks my heart to measure humans according to their religion. Religion nowadays is like a label. Because of our beliefs which we grew up with, we are giving the floor and the control to all extremists from all sides to highjack our own ONE GOD!

Don’t we have enough crisis and natural threats in this World to unite us? I am just too scared once I have a family and children, how am I going to protect them from this entire dilemma? I just want them to believe we all belong to One GOD! I want them to love and loved regardless or which side of the big lake they belong to, or which Holy book they were introduced to. It is really funny that we keep talking and talking about cultural integration, and that we must be open to new countries, while we are so closed and narrow minded in our own societies.

We just keep wearing masks… We keep pretending…

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.”

Aurora