Foreigners

Mostar. The bus stopped at its quiet and deserted terminal, at that time only very few of us had remained in the bus. In my mind there was only one thing then- Stari Most; what should be the world famous old bridge. At that time I did not know which word would have meant 'old', and which was 'bridge'. My Bosnian was practically zero. Using English as our medium, we got just enough indication to point us the direction in which Stari Most was. East. So east we walked.

To walk by ourselves- as foreigners- in another country, totally unknown to us, whose language we don't understand, made me feel humbled. In these there certainly were God's greatness and beauty, nothing but a fraction of His countenance. How we have all started with Adam, the first man of Allah's handiwork, we have grown into such diversity that we don't recognise each other anymore, even when we should be relatives, however far the degrees are. Traces of our origin has become so vague, it is especially unseen to those who would not contemplate, choosing to close their hearts to one of the great puzzling signs of Allah's unchallenged wisdom. Ignorance of this origin- of our own selves- will do no good but all harm. People fight and kill each other, inflicting lasting wounds that would stay forever as vengeance, only to flare up again, precipitating yet another war. Discrimination is rife, along with racism, oppression, violence and marginalisation- none of which would happen if our common origin is recognised, established and cherished upon.

In this aspect, as in many others, Islam offers a beautiful solution. Muslims live in cordial fraternity, reviving the concept of us being relatives; brothers and sisters for each other. It invariably shuts the door to hatred down, replacing it with kindness, hospitality, love, and altruism. Moreover, when Allah asserts that the best and noblest Muslim is judged based on taqwa, there was no room left for racism or any other forms of discrimination that inundates the modern world today. Surely these two verses from the Quran accord some reflection for the appreciative slaves of the Creator;

"And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Lo! herein indeed are portent for men of knowledge."

(al-Rum ; 22)

"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware."

(al-Hujuraat ; 13)

We needed some Bosnian money. Some KM, or Mark, as some people called it. I understand that it is relatively new, developed three years after the tragic war. However little we appreciate it, currency is a sign of independence and sovereignty. Without one of our own, part of our unique identity will disappear. I learnt from my own reading that before KM was used, there are a variety of currencies in Bosna i Hercegovina alone. Their ethnic division is extremely deep; by and large the Croats and Serbs were using their own currencies, clearly not showing any intention to integrate with the more populous Bosniaks. At least now things have improved, I thought to myself. The Bosnian economy, reflected by its currency, is doing quite well in the merciless capitalist market today.

Stepping into a bank, we found so many eyes staring at us, perhaps they were quick to realise that we were not from this soil. There were whispers everywhere, some even almost pointed to our direction. Whatever they were talking about, I hope it wasn't anything bad. I hope we didn't look too brutal to be mistaken as robbers or men of such barbarity. There were two lines approaching the counter, so Nubli and I took one each, after some barely comprehensible consultations with the customers there. I waited for my turn patiently, but of course with my eyes wandering around. The people seemed very nice, smiles were not rare and their faces did not easily show frustrations. Suddenly I remembered the story of my dad, who in Beijing went straight to the counter, not minding the long queues behind him, because he needed help and did not know how to read their language! No I won't do that, I reassured myself, chuckling. I'm not that desperate!