As a counterpoint, Denver International Airport actually employs a muhajeba woman at the security checkpoint. She’s checked my ID on several occasions. I’m always tempted to say assalamu alaykum but I’m afraid to get her in trouble.

He moves among the ignorant, is senseless in the thick of mischief and is blind to the advantages of peace. Those resembling like men have named him scholar but he is not so. He goes out early morning to collect things whose deficiency is better than plenty, till when he has quenched his thirst from polluted water and acquired meaningless things.

He sits among the people as a judge responsible for solving whatever is confusing to the others. If an ambiguous problem is presented before him he manages shabby argument about it of his own accord and passes judgement on its basis. In this way he is entangled in the confusion of doubts as in the spider’s web, not knowing whether he was right or wrong. If he is right he fears lest he erred, while if he is wrong he hopes he is right. He is ignorant, wandering astray in ignorance and riding on carriages aimlessly moving in darkness. He did not try to find reality of knowledge. He scatters the traditions as the wind scatters the dry leaves.

Words for our age.

This PSA brought to you by the blogosphere grammar police.

I’m afraid I can’t associate with you plebs anymore.

So for any new convert who might be reading, I am going to share a philosophy that worked wonderfully for me: for the first several months after your conversion, stay out of the Muslim community. Just stay away. You are too vulnerable to distinguish the people who want to help you from the people who want to exploit you. Right now, you should be focused on your relationship with God. This is precious, precious time that you will never get back. It’s terrifying, and for that reason you may be tempted to seek out people who will comfort you. Don’t. This part is meant to be terrifying. This is the time when you can truly feel God running toward you as you stumble toward Him. Don’t waste it on a bunch of bitter voyeuristic old aunties. You are in a state of spiritual purity that you will never achieve again, unless by some unlikely miracle you turn out to be a saint. Sit with it. Pray with it. Be alone with it. It’s the best gift you will ever give yourself.

After things have sorted themselves out and you’ve learned to see with your new eyes, join the community. By this time you will know through and through what kind of Muslim you are, and you’ll be able to see the nitpickers and snake-oil salesmen for who they are. You’ll be able to make real friends and good marriages.

This is your rebirth, and you have to be your own midwife. Tough it out. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

</rant>

The resistance to the Wahhabi and Salafi movement, then, is a much closer parallel to the Counter Reformation than to the Reformation. Like the Christian Counter Reformation, the Muslim Counter Reformation is very concerned with reconciling religion and art, and providing practical solutions for integrating spiritual practice with daily life. There is also a vigorous drive to streamline and de-emphasize the role of the clergy. The influence of culture on religion is seen as a benign or even a positive force.

Thoughts? I may write an article to this effect.

We’re going to talk about my upcoming monthly comic book series AIR, along with CAIRO, Islam’s relationship with the graphic arts and God knows what else. Join us.