Sermons

INTRODUCTION: The American philosopher, Mortimer Adler said, “Before I can say, ‘I agree,’ or ‘I disagree,’ I must be able to say, ‘I understand.’”

And if there’s any one thing we Americans don’t understand, it’s why the rest of the world doesn’t understand us. Why should they expect us to speak anything but English? Why should they not respect our worship of more more, when the rest of the world has less and less? Why should they not find it amazing that we mix our religion and worship of money by putting “In God we trust,” on what: our money! Why should they not be stunned by the violence of our movies and television, which is mirrored by our leading the world in homicides? Why do we have laws mandating the right for citizens to carry loaded guns? Why for centuries have our dominant religions sent missionaries to other countries, to try and convert them to a specific brand of American religion, when there are so many different brands already here? Why is it we Americans not only think we’re so exceptional, but we also measure everyone else is the world by how American they are?

Any one who’s aware of the 12 million immigrants without legal papers who are in our land, should know clearly how grateful we should be to live in such a rich nation, which also has the world’s oldest constitutional form of governance. But that is different than being unable to respect and appreciate those of other nations who are different –who dress differently, who speak a different language, and who practice a different religion.

But again, Adler’s words are pointed: “Before we can say, ‘We agree,’ or ‘We disagree,’ We must be able to say, ‘We understand.’”

Our special guest this morning, Tamalyn Tallal, has lived out the meaning of that search for understanding: 28 years ago, she was a Vista volunteer in Immokalee. Since then, she has traveled across the continent and around the world, teaching and studying the ancient art form of “belly dancing.” And in the process, she has come to feel special appreciation for the women of the world she’s met in those far off places.

And since belly dancing is usually thought to have originated in Egypt and then to have spread from there into the Middle East and Asia, she also recognized a reality that went along with her work and teaching: Most of the countries, or significant segments of countries, where belly dancing occurs, the women are predominantly Muslim.

But 7½ years ago, a calamity called 9-11 occurred in the world, when 19 young men, mostly Saudi Arabian, and who were also Muslim, were part of a boldly successful attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a failed attempt also to attack the White House.

However, the calamity was not only what happened on 9-11, tragic though it was, the tragedy was also included our American government’s reaction, overreaction, and misguided reaction since, both here in America and in much of the world.

That relates to our service today because part of America’s response was perceived around the world as a response to Islam…in fact, an attack on Islam.

Precisely because Tamalyn had been to so many nations whose people practiced Islam…because she knew the people and respected them…Tamalyn Dallal felt there was something very different between what she knew to be true and what the American government was saying was true. Yet, what could she do? One woman? A belly dancer?

She was moved to take seriously an old Arabic proverb that goes like this: “To understand a people, you must live among them for 40 days.” Guess what? She took it literally, She lived, traveled and sought to understand Islam in five different countries…staying in each one 40 days.

She is here today to share some of what she learned. Please welcome, Tamalyn Dallal.

1. Tamalyn, first, please tell us about yourself, where you grew up, your training and background, and how you came to be a world-wide teacher of belly-dancing?

2. What do you think most of us are missing when we think of Islam and the Muslim world?

3. In your book you state, “Comparing Osama bin Laden with Iraq, Indonesia or Zanzibar, is like comparing Paris Hilton to right-wing survivalists hiding out in Idaho?” How so?

4. Also, in your book, you stated that one of the purposes of your trip was to ask the question, “Are there really millions of women cowering in submission beneath black shrouds?” What was the answer you found?

5. Tamalyn, you’re a belly-dancer. Many of us think of it as an expression of feminine sensuality. And yet it’s most predominant in societies that encourage women to cover from head to toe? In fact, in your book you have this quote, “A woman covering herself becomes equal to all other women, without regard for beauty, expensive clothes, or body type.” What does that mean and how do you reconcile those polarities?

6. Unfortunately, extremists exist in all religions and nations. What lessons do you have for us to enrich our understanding of Islam (in addition to buying your book, your CD and your DVD!)?

One of the things Tamalyn and I discussed in the times we got together this past week were the benefits of the Muslim act of praying five times a day. Would you describe that again?

Let’s take that as a lesson for us here this morning. We’re stopping all else. We’re centering. It’s prayer time. And as Martin Luther said, “We pray, my sisters and brothers, not to inform God, but ourselves.”

We will pause now for 7½ minutes of questions. Due to the time limits, please reserve your comments for Tamalyn after the service at the table in back, and please give us your questions for her now.

[1] A dialogue presented on February 10, 2008, at the Conversation Café of All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, meeting at the Crestwell School, 1904 Park Meadows, Ft. Myers, FL, between the Rev. Dr. Wayne Robinson, minister, and special guest, Tamalyn Talla..