I know that the followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all worship their god. They only worship one God, like for Islam is Allah. Nothing can happen without God. Muhammad was the messenger of God, and he would recite teachings that would be put in the Quran.

What questions do you have about these religions?

I wonder why they came to be and how it brought people together as a community. What are some ways it alienates them for other religions?

Lay a land of heaven, where spirits exist

Whispers and laughter fill the crisp night air

Their delicate feathery wings

frolicking around the ring

Among the crowd,

a wise spirit once sat

On a horse, his soul forever young at heart.

His simple royal blue robe, a symbol of his grace,

As he held the reins of his horse with a steady pace.

But something quite strange

For the horse's head had been replaced with a human's in exchange.

Yet the wise spirit remained calm and serene

In this world of spirits, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Reply: My experience was overall great writing this. Sometimes I got stuck and didn’t know how to describe it, but I think a chose a creative piece to write about

We played in the sand, carefree and fine

Wearing plastic heals that never fit

Playing with raggedy toys that never made it.

Traded mechanical pencils, had no dime

Life didn't feel sour like lemons and limes.

Once upon a simpler time

Where we had a certain bedtime

Having a souls a young as spring

always jumping up and down on the bedspring

watching videos on unboxing and slime

every day felt as free as summertime.

Different Ways to Pray:

As I’ve heard stories and history before

I begin to envision the story once more

Gathered I saw the Muslims, one by one pray,

It’s a holy month of worship, fasting, and service, some say.

Around the Mosque formed the circle,

The murmurs and mumbles, soothe a musical.

Gathered I saw the Muslims, one by one to pray,

As they chanted the Tarawih prayer to wield power

The hearts intertwined, like a blooming flower,

And in the minds, thank Allah’s grace

Bowing one’s head for blessings and embracing their offers

Gathered I saw the Muslims, one by one to pray,

I sense air soon filled with ease

Though their stomachs were empty, their minds at peace

Finding consolation and faith in their release 

Then I saw my own, gathered round

Our family in the mundir we found

Although my Hindu traditions may not seem to sync

All traditions share the same interlink

A beacon of hope, they shine so bright

A message unspoken, but felt in our plight

To love and appreciate the light we receive

And bask in the moon's glow as we believe

In a moment of prayer, we all felt free

Gathered I saw the People, one by one to pray

It was quite a challenge to make this poem. I had to immerse myself into a religion I wasn't too familiar with and find similar experiences within it. However, I learned that even though religions seem very different, they share similar bonds. It gave me the perspective of how people in the past all started with a story that was passed down. Each of us has distinct cultures, and because of them, it bonds us together. I realized religions are more similar than we think and our past is what shapes humanity. I communicated my ideas in the poem through interconnectedness and finding similarities between other religions. I was mainly answering the question, "How do our similarities and differences impact the relationships we have with people inside and outside our identity groups?" I focused on prayer in Islam, and about the Muslims special prayer, Tarawih. ("Ramadan”.) I struggled a lot with finding something I could relate to, especially since I'm not that religious. It was a challenge because I had to make the poem personal. I also tried to incorporate words that had multiple meanings in it. Everything that has happened, whether it had a positive or negative effect, has led us to where we are today.

Sources:

“Ramadan.” Www.brandeis.edu, www.brandeis.edu/spiritual-life/resources/guide-to-observances/ramadan.html#:~:text=During%20Ramadan%2C%20many%20Muslims%20go.