(27th of November) Eid, Idd, and Id

Religious tolerance is something we tend to preach pridefully in the U.S. “All are free to practice their beliefs in peace," is a common mantra. We have our Unitarian churches and our inter-faith networks. Yet when Muslims or Jews try to have halal/kosher meals in school, the immediate public is an uproar for “preferential treatment." The debate is typically seen more with the earlier. Inequality can be viewed in the simplest activities, such as a bona fide American apple pie family of Middle Eastern descent not being allowed to discuss the safest place to sit on an airplane. For doing so will cause detention and questioning by the authorities. And once it all gets cleared up as a simple misunderstanding they need more than a FBI seal of approval to snag another flight on the airline. Personally I feel the conversation is futile to start since the possible survival from a plane plummeting to the ocean at an immense speed matters little on aisle or window, wing or tail. Unless of course, you're a young girl on your way to the Comoros for holiday. Anyway, no matter the lack of productivity in discussing seat safety a person should be allowed participation. The ACLU is scorned daily by the radical “Right” as some ultra liberal vendetta bent on annihilating the Christian faith. The Sunday crusaders conveniently overlook the countless churches the American Civil Liberties Union works with every year. Uganda has many policies which I would adamantly oppose IF tried to implement in the US society/government. The Ugandan Administration encourages large families, abortion is entirely illegal, homosexuality may soon be a capital offense, polygamy is accepted, women are still subservient on some level and the rate of teen pregnancy can put any Southern US state to shame several times over. In many aspects it's a utopia for what some would call a Radical Right wing looney from Utah. Except for the whole lack of guns travesty. Ugandans are not allowed to go hunting with a semi-automatic assault rifle with 30 aught 6 cartridges. I know what you're thinking, what a tread on christian values instilled in the 2nd Amendment. The pious, Jesus fearing founders of America like Jefferson and Franklin would rollover in their graves if the states ever took such actions. Clearly, I have purposely wandered off topic, but I think we're having fun. The acceptance a Ugandan has for other faiths is commendable for any nation, let alone developing. Today, Friday the 27th of November, is a public holiday recognizing the Eid al-Adha for the end of the Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, and honoring Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God. Although 15percent of the population is of the Islamic faith, other such offers of respect are witnessed throughout the area. You would be hard pressed to find a pork dish at any restaurant in Kasese. Actually the only place you could find a hardy swine portion is at specialty eating spots known as “pork joints”, a location I still have sadly not indulged. When meeting a short lived stranger one of the first questions asked by a Ugandan is on the area of personal faith. The exercise is not for the purpose of reward or resentment but inquiry and curiosity into what steers your moral core. My organization, Good Hope Foundation, has a prayer before every meeting asking for clarity and guidance in their discussions. However, they frequently speak at mosques and talking with Imams, making sure everyone takes advantage of the organization's services. Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, 7th Day Adventist, Muslim, and a surprising presence of Jehovah Witness call the Rwenzoris home and Bukonzo their tribe.