Friday

It was an interesting day today not least of all because this afternoon we went over to M and F's to meet F's sister, B. She is an Islamic scholar and had agreed to answer any questions people might have about Islam. As I said to S as we emerged from the car, I know very little about Islam but it just seems if everyone made an effort to understand more of other people's religions, we might all get along better together here on Planet Earth. I can't believe how lucky we were to have this opportunity. B is staying with M and F waiting for her husband to arrive from Jordan - where F had just been to collect her so she didn't have to travel alone - and where he also made his wife very happy by bringing back new, very stunning rugs which are now spread throughout the house. From here B and her husband will go to Sydney where they will give lessons. He, too, is an Islamic scholar and is currently working on a project to translate thr Koran into English. Unlike some other translations which only translate the Arabic, they are also working to translate the context which is as important as the words - more so in some cases because it is the context which helps determine the meaning of the words. It is a long term project - and their team is averaging about three pages of the Koran a week.
There were some very interesting points of similarity with other religions with which I am familiar - perhaps the most surprising of all that Islamic folk believe in Heaven and Hell - and a Day of Judgment. I ended up not asking any questions but a wide range of topics are burbling away in my head trying to resolve themselves into intelligent questions and I am hoping to have the opportunity to discuss them with B next week while M and S are talking with her husband about Sufism (one of his special subjects).
S is not well but she did manage to get the laundry done today so there will be clothes to take with us to Sydney tomorrow. Not there will be much time to pack - we didn't get home until nearly 11 pm and we need to be at the airport by 8:15 in the morning ("need to" means: prefer to just in case there are any traffic or other delays on the way - no need starting the weekend stressed!)
We didn't seem F this afternoon/evening. I can only think that because this was a "female only" event (and thank goodness because it allowed a degree of openess that would have been difficult if not impossible in mixed company) he was at his brother's place and waiting for the "all clear" call before coming home. He's usually pretty tired on a Friday night so I hope E had a place for him to "assume the position" and push out a few zzzzzz's.