PEDLN - I know that it is often confusing when discussing the Middle East (which includes countries like Iraq, Iran), Central Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan), South Asia (India), North Africa (Egypt) and the Far East (China, Japan) to name just a few. That's why I have been a long-time subscriber to the marvelous National Geographic Maps and, more recently, access their website regularly.
Although we are learning about GM's contemporary adventures among rural mountain communities whose residents adhere ardently to Islam - remember they are NOT Arabs - , there are among the believers with whom he deals a range of religious commitments, tribal affiliation, clan respect for the elders, treatment of women and female children, as well as greed, selfishness and a centuries old distrust of "strangers" (meaning "infidels").
An excellent balance at this point in the discussion is an article in this month's National Geographic which, although it does not focus on Central Asia, provides a clear explanation of centuries old beliefs and a back-and-forth transition between Islam and Orthodox Christianity and back to Islam in the Holy Land. The families and individuals featured in the article ARE Arabs, but they are juggling the rise and fall of the religious (especially at the sect levels) and cultural customs of their homeland (Palestine and Israel) in much the same way that the Pakistanis are struggling. As an aside, here is a link to that article for those posters who might be interested:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/06/arab-christians/belt-textDIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUNNI AND SHIA ISLAM: It is certainly easy to become confused, especially for folks who have not interacted with many Muslims, visited mosques, or studied Islam. But for this discussion (and others in general), perhaps Googling the words I've highlighted will offer a basic understanding. Primarily, the difference is in one's belief in the history of Islam and those revered individuals who carried the faith forward following the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
The disparity one finds in Islam and Islamic customs throughout the world is often the result of the cultural history of a region (and its time periods), rather than in what orthodox (original) Islam teaches. For example, just as there are significant differences in Christianity between the Southern Baptists, Pentecostal Evangelicals (traditional and contemporary), Roman Catholics, Orthodox Greek, Russian and Maronite Catholics, Unitarian and New Age Contemporary (non-denominational) congregations, so there are significant differences in customs and levels of Islamic belief between Sunnis and Shiites. When I think of Shia Islam, I think of Iran. When I think of Sunni Islam, I think FIRST of Saudi Arabic and its ultra-orthodox beliefs. Although the latter has relented in some of its centuries-old traditions in recent years, it has NOT been a significant change. Other gulf countries which also adhere to Sunni traditions, like Kuwait, have recently elected women to government posts. Pakistan, on the other hand, is way ahead of a country like Kuwait, since they have had elected female representation for some time.
It's interesting to me that the female names like Khadisha (various spellings exist) and Ayesha (original names of the first two wives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and very active women in their own right) have been two of the most popular names throughout the centuries, whether in Sunni or Shia communities around the world.
Sorry for the sidetrack, but I thought some of the above info might be helpful as a "side-bar" to GM's work and experiences. Indeed, he is a mighty fine "giant of a man" who has stepped forward with great dignity and personal commitment to help others. And, to me, passing that commitment along to his children is the very best part of reading about his experiences!
Mahlia
