The evening celebration was great as well. My family and I enjoyed it immensely.

Sounds like this was a wonderful celebration.

Glad they had a good time and don't forget to get stamps that celibrate this time also and remind others that we are not the only ones.

“Having the men and women sit in separate areas is different from most Christian churches but the intent is similar — to bring people together to be centered on God.” Hmmmm...In any other situation where men and women were separated, women would be screaming that they were being treated unfairly; they'd be crying for equal rights! Why are people so quick to embrace a religion that takes women back to the stone age??

And remember, as our armed forces members battle in Afghanistan, it's a religion of peace.

Saltoria I agree. It is wonderful that these people can celebrate their faith in a foreign country. Yet as christian Americans would this have been so welcomed if the christians had publically done this with their faith beliefs? I don't think so.

It's sad to see so much IGNORANCE, hatred, lack of respect and animosity in this thread! All of the members in this community are wonderful, kind, compassionate, tolerant, and respectful people who are physicians, lawyers, businessmen, lawyers, and students. However, what some people are saying and how they are saying it here on this thread says a lot about what kind of people they are! I'd advise those of you who do not know Muslims to get to know one so that you may learn, understand and accept - there are plenty of us here. Oh, and firefly, many of us are as American as you are...born and bred or American converts to Islam (i'm as blonde-haired, blue-eyed as Jane Doe). So, please folks, pick up a book and learn about the true religion of Islam versus what you have been brainwashed with! It may open your eyes and realize why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the Western World and all over the world, drawing converts from all walks of life. Thank you :)

Sarah_D: Thanks for your intelligent comments. And yes....it does show what "kind of people they are".....but just remember, most people in this country and world do not think like what you allude to in your first sentence.

Chersully, you're welcome. What you state is truly unfortunate. However, I do not completely 100% agree with your statement. There are still wonderful, tolerant people out there. We all know and have PLENTY of non-Muslim friends, colleagues, and neighbors in this country and all over the world who are intelligent and well-mannered - who READ for themselves and research the truth. These kinds of people are the ones I'm alluding to. They are the well-read, well-educated, well-traveled and respectful ones who seek the truth and refuse to be brain-washed or jump on the bandwagon like the rest. I've been approached by many Mainers like this who are just truly inquisitive yet completely open-minded, polite and respectful. Although they may disagree with our beliefs, and it is certainly okay to disagree, they do not bash, discriminate, stereotype or hate. It seems like you are like this yourself and I sincerely appreciate it :) In closing, I reiterate every word what I stated in my previous statement and I hope more people open their eyes and minds.

Sarah_G: Guess I did not completely understand your previous post then. Most people I know and associate with here in Maine are wonderful and tolerant people. And that is why I stated "most people are not like what you allude to in your first sentence."

You wrote:" It's sad to see so much IGNORANCE, hatred, lack of respect and animosity in this thread!" And that is what I was responding to with the comment "And yes, it does show what kind of people they are" (the ones you alluded to on this thread, that is). I did not state that I thought most people in Maine and the world are like that...I stated the opposite actually.

Thanks. Seems to be a confusion in communication here.

Chersully, thanks for the clarification..I feel so much better! Definitely a misunderstanding on my part; I apologize. It's nice to "meet" such an amicable person as yourself :)

Sarah_C: Oh good. And I always enjoy reading anything you post .

Have a nice day. I love autumn in New England!

There was nothing offensive of what I wrote. I was just making an observation.

Firefly, I did not say what you wrote was offensive. I was not referring to you. However, I corrected your "observation". Again, with all due respect, it is completely inaccurate. Let me ask you this, how did you make this observation? What do you know about a foreign country? Have you ever been to one? Did you ever try to "publicly do this with your faith belief" in a foreign country and be harassed or kicked out? I bet not. I would also bet that you are basing your assumptions on stereotypes, Hollywood movies, and/or inaccurate media portrayals. I am married to an Arabic man and we have traveled all over to different Muslim countries. These countries contain lots of Christians (including Arab Christians) who are free to practice their religion & exercise their religious beliefs. Even in countries like Saudi Arabia that is strictly an Islamic country - thousands of Christian Americans live and work there and practice their religion freely - I have Christian family members that live there, so I know! Please get your facts straight...maybe you can try yourself -before you make inaccurate assumptions that have no basis whatsoever.

As a convert to Islam, I have found Mainers more inquisitive and accepting than people anywhere else I have lived previously (Seattle and Michigan). I also used to have an issue with the "women separate from the men". But if you actually look deeper, you realize that there is a reason to this seemingly sexist segregation, and a very good one at that. In our prayers, we pray very close together, row upon row of people, and we also bed at the waist, putting our bottoms right up in the air, if the men were behind then women we would be distracting them quite a bit while they are trying to focus on worship and spirituality! I want to thank everyone who commented on this story, even those who posted something negative obviously still took the time to read the article, and that proves that they are not "un-educated, or not well-read" they just have an opinon and they are entitled to it. I do however, encourage these people to question what it is that makes them feel this way.

Thank you

Wonderful post, GreenBee. Maine does seem to have a lot of good, tolerant, open-minded people. I am glad you have experienced that here.

Sarah_G: It seems that, very often, many who make intolerant, uninformed comments about people from other countries and other faiths, have very little familiarity with it......have not studied about it......traveled much, or at all, to other countries,etc. It is quite obvious sometimes. So they look on others who they perceive as "different" in a suspicious , untrusting manner. It is a shame really.

I am talking about this country. If you openly profess your faith in this country, odds are someone will try to silence you. Happens all the time.

And yes I have been to other countries...

I don't think in many muslim countries that many would make others aware they are christian. It would not be safe to.

Sarah/chery get words and yes many are good here. Its in the woods and county areas were the discrimination comes from and mostly the more the area is christian up here the more the hatred like in my area Houlton. Know that if they start to bother you or others who beleive in peace and equality they will become our enimies when they become yours.

Chersully, you're absolutely right and I couldn't agree with you more. You are truly a wise, thoughtful person. GreenBee, this is what I meant about being educated and well-read. I'm not as much implying the meaning of "literacy" like you think, but rather being open-minded and educating oneself - seeking truthful knowledge instead of just believing everything that is fed through biased mediums. Only then will the intolerance and hatred decrease. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, certainly, however it is socially unacceptable to make derogatory remarks that discriminate or belittle anyone (hence the thumbs down that hides such comments). You can still disagree with someone in a dignified, respectful manner. I have first-hand experience with this as I too converted to Islam 10 years ago. I would never have done so had I relied on what I watch on the news. I became interested in finding out more about Islam and then read & researched my way to the truth. I highly commend my parents for having raised me with love, tolerance and acceptance of all others. Again, I know many Mainers and others all over the US who, like my parents and Chersully, are genuinely good, accepting, tolerant individuals. In closing, I also would like to thank not only those who commented here but also Judy Harrison for the very nice, well-written article. It is very much appreciated.

Sarah_G: I so appreciate your comments. Your decency and intelligence shines out on this blog. I always like to read your comments very much.

theinfoman: I don't like to make generalizations about people, or to stereotype.....yet it does seem to be that often, some of the people in some of the more isolated, rural areas are less willing to accept diversity. There are many exceptions, of course, but it is something that I have noticed. Thanks for your comments.

Thank you, Chersully. You're very kind. If you or anyone else has any additional questions regarding Islam, please don't hesitate to ask. I can give you my email address. Take care :)

Sarah_G: It is always a pleasure to read your comments. As for an email address: that is kind, but I might hesitate to put one's regular email address up here. I am not sure, of course.

Hope you have a good evening.

No worries. Have a great night :)

Sarah G is either ignorant on Islam or lying. Islam allows lying, rape and terrorism. In the end it says that Jesus will come back and destroy Christianity.

What Islam Really Says About Jesus and his Return

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-islam-really-says-about-jesus-and.html

Ramadan is also a time of jihad.

NY Muslims:Ramadan is a Time of Jihad, the Jihad is Alive!~Video

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/08/ny-muslimsramadan-is-time-of-jihad.html

Muslims always start out nice, until they feel that they have the power to dominate. This can be seen across the world. Islam is the anti-thesis of America and should of never been allowed to be practiced here in the first place.

Christians do not practice their religion freely in Saudi Arabia, that is ONLY on the compound. Outside of that, they have to hide it. Christians are oppressed across the Islamic world.

Saudis do Destroy Bibles, Think Tank Affirms

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/05/saudis-do-destroy-bibles-think-tank.html

Saudis to Christians: Get out!

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2008/08/saudis-to-christians-get-out.html

The Coptic Christians in Egypt have been persecuted for centuries. Sarah have given nothing but her meaningless word. The news articles show us the truth.

The Egyptian con and Obama~Videos

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/06/egyptian-con-and-obamavideos.html

If anyone has any questions on Islam please email me at Islaminaction08@yahoo.com

Don't be mislead by Sarah, Islam is a violent and dominating religion.

Walter, you might want to actually educate yourself on Islam. It is far from peaceful.

Sarah uses the usual talking point about it is the fastest growing religion. What she does not tell you is that is because of birthrates, people being scared to death to leave Islam and lack of freedom for other religion in Islamic countries. If Islam is so great what are they afraid of?

I have read for myself Sarah, how about your back up your nonsense with some sources?

I have studied Islam for approximately 7 years, the ignorance here is astonishing.