Learning about Islam in Ein Rafa

by Talia Hirsch,     11^th grade,       NJ

 

a view of the houses and surrounding area of the village of Ein Rafa

Islam was developed by people who believed Muhammad was the last prophet. They are monotheistic and believe in all of the prophets that came before him like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the last they believe was Muhammad. I learned that Muhammad was the last of the prophets who brought what God said to the people. Islam affected the Jewish people of the time by also establishing Jerusalem as a holy sight, the Al-Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock on Mount Moriah. It is believed that Muhammad ascended to heaven on a horse with wings.

 

the village of Ein Rafa with the Judean hills in the background

We were given we a tour around the village of Ein Rafa just below Tzuba by Yasmin and Musa, two of the residents. We saw new developments and houses being built in the city, as well as Yasmin’s friends and family’s houses. I learned from Yasmin that not all Israeli-Arabs speak Hebrew as well as Arabic because their schools are taught in Arabic. But she wanted her children to learn how to speak Arabic, Hebrew, and English so she sent them to an Israeli preschool to learn Hebrew and now sends her 2 boys and 2 girls to a private school where they are taught in Arabic and Hebrew but learn English as well.

 

one of the houses in Ein Rafa with the minaret of the village mosque in the background

Yasmin’s talk about Islam was very interesting because she talked about the status of women and how women are perceived as closer to God. Also, a lot of Arab-Israelis identify nationally and culturally as Palestinians. She also talked about how she views that Muslims are very accepting and open to conversion. Converting to Islam is very easy, she explained, because it is more about a spiritual connection to God than a ceremonial ritual.

 

we were hosted for lunch at Yasmin and Musa's house in Ein Rafa

My meeting with Yasmin made me more hopeful for the future with Israeli and Arabs because she talked about how peace should start with the younger generations of people than the older people in the country.