Insh Allah.
I don't know how it's spelled so I guessed.
I means, 'If God wills it' or 'God willing'.
I've discovered that it's basically a way of life here.
Today while out in sector, we came across a suspected car bomb. As we warned people who felt the need to walk by it or go right up to it to check it out, that's what they said, 'Insh Allah'. They honestly didn't care if their life was in danger, their way of thinking is...if it's their time to go, they're going to go.
I also met tons of wonderful people today. They are extremely kind and generous. The kids are beautiful and they are all polite.
posted by BryanP @ 10:38 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Northern California is cold and wet...not much going on...scrolling through blogs...came across yours...keep your heart and mind open--you are the example--you are what they will think of when think of an 'American'...the good is within...resonate with their experience, be empathetic...graceful and safe.
In Sha Allah..or as my dad spells it..Inshallah.
Either way, you're right, it means "God willing"
Im glad to see you posting, Bryan, I was wondering if you were okay.
Tonite, PBS aired a great documentary..."A Company Of Soldiers" which follows the men of Dog Company from the 1-8 Cav out of Ft Hood. Its an honest raw evocative documentary ( Are You Listening Michael Moore!!??) that portrays the challenges that these men and no doubt you and all our troups face while in theatre.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the recognition that there is something more important that fear. You have recognized that, and it’s made me appreciate, respect, and admire the calling you have chosen to accept. And you accept it with Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart.
You are a courageous hero and a source of inspiration to me, Bryan.
Stay safe! and Keep Posting!
Some 50 years ago, while traveling in Pakistan, I heard this phrase often.
"Is that bridge really stable?" I asked.
Oh yes, sahib, it will definitely hold you up.....insh Allah.
"Now, can you confirm that I really DO have a seat on tomorrow's flight?"
Your flight is confirmed, and you can definitely leave tomorrow....insh Allah.
I'm not complaining. These people are simply more honest than those of us in the USA today.
"Of course we will prosper, be safe from terrists (sic), retain our civil liberties....etc."
To this I add "insh Allah."
Hi, Insh'Allah is correct. I spent 4 years in the Gulf (Qatar and Dubai) and this was used by nationals as well as expats alike. It is the stock answer to most questions and queries. Living in the MidEast was wonderful and I plan to go back this year for at least 5 years or more. The desert is an evocative and beautiful place to live and I would camp at least once a month in the middle of nowhere, on the Indian Ocean or Gulf. Dubai was a good place to live but is becoming very westernized and a favorite haunt of US forces on R&R. Unfortunately, the mob mentality and actions of the groups of soldiers wandering around and being loud and obnoxious has a negative effect and negates the good work they do whilst in Iraq and Afghanistan. Surely these guys must receive some form of briefing about cultural norms and sensibilities before they are released upon a musilm community. If so, they surely pay no attention.
Well, get a bunch of American 20 year olds together after not being able to do anything for 6ish months and they'll act stupid regardless of what their job is.
I don't know about any briefings, I never got the chance to go.
What are you doing there?
If the people are nice, etc., have you not ever wondered about why you are there??
Do you not feel terribly, terribly out-of-place in a war that was waged without due reason?
Take this opportunity to passively resist the US government's bad, and immoral, decision.
Just your first sentence shows your ignorance about what is going on there.
The Iraqi people are our friends, and our allies. With them, we fight the terrorists and power mongers who wish to keep them as slaves.
I feel more at home with them, there I do a lot of other places. So, out of place, not so much.
I'd like you to take this opportunity yourself to stop being an ignorant sheep following the herd, and instead, think for yourself. Think about what exactly would happen to the great nation of Iraq if we left before they are strong enough to resist the thugs and murders who seek to rule and impose Sharia law.
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