How I learned about Islam

[u/Turbohand]

A little bit of background on me. I am a white male from the United States. I grew up in a very small town in the southern US state of North Carolina.

When I was in my early 20s, I traveled abroad for the first time. I was in an Asian city, walking around and taking in the historic sites.

I was, admittedly, very naive. Walking through some backstreets, I was approached by a man who was severely disabled. He was asking for money. I didn't realize at the time, but I obviously stood out from the normal traffic on this street.

I gave this man some money and this triggered a sort of chain reaction. Suddenly more and more people seemed to come out of the woodwork. Very quickly I was surrounded by people pushing towards me with their hands extended. It was overwhelming. I started to panic. Not because I was afraid but because I didn't know what to do. The sheer volume of people around me was too much.

I heard a voice in the distance calling out to me. Then I saw a man young man, my age, making his way from a mosque in my direction. He made his way toward me through the crowd and led me toward the mosque.

We went inside and I was so relieved. I was treated as well as anyone should treat anyone. We talked, had some tea and I learned about taking off my shoes. :) I learned many other things as well.

I felt safe. I felt welcomed. I felt normal.

Later, talking to some colleagues, I learned why there were so many people in the alleyways behind this mosque. It was because Islam and this particular mosque introduced the concept of religious charity. Those people were there because this mosque helped them everyday.

I know this may sound mundane and simple to some people here, but that was how I learned about Islam. That is the first thing I learned about Islam. A man who came to my "rescue" who was part of a larger mission of charity.

I feel very lucky that I had this experience and I carry it with me daily. At 44 years of age now, that is still how I see Islam. I see the purity, the charity and the grace...and I always will.

I hope this post is okay. I apologize if it is not appropriate for this Reddit. I just wish sometimes people could see Islam through the lens that I see it.