Some people tend to view Islam as if it were a monolithic or uni-dimensional entity. Islam is undoubtedly the faith of transcendental monotheism, the belief in Allah, (the one and only God), who transcends both man and nature. But monotheism does not lead to monism; on the contrary, it leads to plurality and diversity.

For from a strictly Islamic point of view, except for God, everything else exists in variety. Therefore, there is not one single Islamic discourse, but rather a variety of discours

Our gracious host invited me to write something from a western perspective. I am far better at discourse than at grandstanding. I decided to write something that might get the ball rolling for a discussion. Here are a few thoughts that might get us started.    

At the beginning of the fifth year of the 21st century we – Muslims & non-Muslims – are still arguing about the veil (or hijab in Arabic). Some people see it as a chain around women’s necks preventing them from achieving their role in the society. 

All human settlements and civilisation used their natural environment as a source of procuring remedies .The written records of medicine date back to 3500 years. 

Cough syrup

• 1/2 table spoon of lobelia
• 4 oz (100ml) of clear honey
• ½ table spoon of cloves
• ½ pt (300ml) of boiling water

Put lobelia, honey and cloves in a bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir and leave the liquid to stand. Take dessert spoon ful every two hours until coughing stops.