I know this is a very sensitive issue, and I venture on this road at my own risk, I take all responsibilty for what I'm about to write:
I lived and worked(teaching computer networking) in Burkina Faso, a small west-african third world country, for 5 month(not very long but enough to get some insights on religious differences). It is a 30% christian, 60% muslim and 10% tribal country in it's religious beleive. I worked mostly with muslims and had some quite "interesting" discussions whit co-workers and students. I am Atheist but was brought up French Roman Catholic(Qc, Can), It seems in muslims eyes(not generalizing here, the ones I had discussions with) everyone is born muslims and forsake god(Alha) when they are baptise(I will not refer to any other religion, cause I'm not versed in their believes) I was shock to learn this, but it explains why muslims have a very low opinion of other religions seeing them as traitors of god.
What was the impact on day to day life while I was there?
I was teaching to employees of a research center, water and sanitation research center or CREPA(french acronym), they did get a lot of outside help and my presence there was one of them. But when your class room is emptied 5 times a day for daily prayers + coffe breaks + 3 hour siesta, you have alot of time to think and wonder why you should help 'em out...?
Anyway just wanted to share this bit of my life with you :O) |
