My name is
Jacian Fares. I come from the Al-Fares family of
Hebron. My father was born in Lebanon, my mother is a
Spaniard. I was the first generation born in America
(Dearborn, Michigan in fact).
My father took
no stock in religion nor did he live it, although my
grandparents are devout Muslims, I do imagine his
choice and path in life had saddened their hearts.
Needless to say my siblings and I were born without a
specific religion. We were to be raised as American
kids.
Under odd
circumstances I was the only one of the three of us to
go live in Lebanon for six years, during which I was a
teenager. I shall call this time period ‘my first
encounter with Middle East culture'.
My second phase
of encounter came when I was in the U.S. Marine Corps.
I led the invasion into Iraq - not a war I agreed
with, but I was a soldier just doing his job.
In Fallujah and
other areas of the Al-Anbar province, I came to know
locals. I had witnessed other Arabs during Ramadan
over the years. I had watched how devoted to their
religion they were.
Unfortunately I
was shot in Iraq and lost a kidney - but it is as
Allah wills. I had always believed everything happens
for a reason.
When I had come
home I was depressed and feeling like I had nothing to
follow in life. I was used to having routine and now
it was taken from me. My relationship at the time went
downhill. So I was alone. My grandparents had hinted
at Islam, as well as my aunt. During August of 2008 I
read the Quran. And it just clicked. It made sense to
me, more so than the Bible or the Torah. It was very
straight to the point. Muslim life has routine. I
needed this change in my life, to find my true self.
"This Quran does
indeed show the straightest way. It gives the faithful
who do right the good news that they will have a great
reward." (Al-Israa17:9)
Finally I had
routine. I had reasons to live for and make my life
that much better.
I can say I had
made many friends over the past year, all of different
Middle Eastern countries; from Egypt, Palestine,
Jordan, and Qatar. And these friends helped in
developing who I am now. And for that I am forever
thankful.
This year I have
witnessed my second Ramadan. Sadly, I could not fast
because I am a juvenile diabetic. But I donated food,
money, and time to people in need for all thirty days.
And this year is special, my birthday falls on Eid al-Fitr.
And while I am
stuck here in America, alone, I am not alone. People
in the Muslim communities treat me as any other family
member.
And I have to
say this life we live, the Deen (Islamic way of
life) we live, it brings us all together. It brings us
together and makes us brothers and sisters every day
of our lives — even without feasts.
So I promise I
will always treat everyone as my brother or sister,
help out ones in need, even in times without special
purpose. I will do this every day of my life.
"Worship God;
join nothing with Him; and do good to parents,
kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are
near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by
your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and to your slaves:
For God does not like arrogant, boastful people."
(An-Nisaa4:36)
I love Ramadan
and what it represents. It reminds us what being a
good Muslim is. But I propose that we make everyday of
our lives like Ramadan and share with our fellow man
and woman.
As Muslims we
can make this world a better place, no matter how the
media tries projecting us as, no matter how ignorant
people believe we are, we can honestly make this world
a better place.
"Show
forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the
ignorant." (Al-Aaraf 7:199)
We should never
push our God onto anyone, but we should inform the
ones interested correctly. That's how it was done with
me; I've come a long way with the support and help of
my brothers and sisters, my friends and family in
Islam.
I choose Islam
because it's part of who I am. I've reverted back to
what my family has believed. I now live how they live.
This is all because reading the Quran was suggested to
me. I'm happy and proud of myself for doing so. The
Quran has led me to finding my true self. And now my
God has a name: Allah.
I suggest to
non-believers to keep an open mind and just look at
what the Quran has to say. There is more there to it,
if read with open eyes. The Quran is simply a tool and
guide that we should use to live a correct path. It
promotes peace, love, and a strong trust in Allah.
"What will
explain to you what the steep path is? It is to free a
slave, to feed at a time of hunger an orphaned
relative or a poor person in distress, and to be one
of those who believe and urge one another to
steadfastness and compassion." (Al-Balad 12-17)
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