"This guy is a terrorist. He looks like Ousama Bin Laden," Muhammad joked with Aissam, who rolled his eyes politely. Aissam wore a white djellaba, his stomach protruding, his muscular hands attached to a wide frame. He displayed a spectacular black beard. Most locals don't grow full beards. Facial hair has shifted towards western fashions. Still, many continue to be very serious about their beards. Shaving the mustache and growing the beard is Muslim tradition.
"Why don't you have a beard?" I asked Muhammad, who is also very devote.
"It's not necessary in Islam, but some people like them."
Aissam disagreed, "excuse me, but to be a true Muslim you need to grow a beard. These were words from God."
Muhammad shook his head. For a second they hesitated, then the conversation leaped forward and I my comprehension couldn't keep up. However, like most my interactions, I could feel the emotion besides the gibberish. A debate ensued. Are beards a necessary Muslim male attribute? I had expected a simple explanation. Clearly, the opinion on Muslim facial hair is not universal. Both men argued passionately. Emotions verged towards anger only to cool off and wait for the next flare of pride. I spectated, admiring the Moroccan spirit.
Then the battle halted. Aissam said the American equivalent of "well, look who it is." Were they expecting someone? I figured the debate was over because both men had exhausted their arguments. Instead, the lesson was just beginning. The unofficial judge of the debate walked into the shop. He too had a full beard, mostly white. Warmth radiated from his smile as he greeted us. His confidence made him seem taller than he really was. He was the Imam of the neighborhood mosque, the spiritual leader of Muhammad and Aissam.
"Excuse us. We were talking about a certain subject and were hoping you could enlighten us."
They presented the debate, and the Imam assumed his role as religious instructor. Again, I was unable to decipher the diction, but I could feel a change in the mood. It was no longer a debate. The students stopped fighting and listened intently. They nodded, murmuring an occasional "yes." The Imam appeared to have an effective solution to the confusion. They thanked the Imam for his wisdom, and described how the debate begun, pointing at me.
The Imam turned to me graciously. "Tu comprends Francais?" I told him I did understand French and he continued his rhythmic speech. "The beard is required in Islam. There are more important things in Islam than growing a beard of course, and many Muslims adopt to follow different fashions. With globalization you see the beard becoming less popular. If you are a Muslim, though, you should grow a full beard. Even though the beard is not that important, it is required." Then he asked me if I understood.
"Je comprends."
"Why don't you have a beard?" I asked Muhammad, who is also very devote.
"It's not necessary in Islam, but some people like them."
Aissam disagreed, "excuse me, but to be a true Muslim you need to grow a beard. These were words from God."
Muhammad shook his head. For a second they hesitated, then the conversation leaped forward and I my comprehension couldn't keep up. However, like most my interactions, I could feel the emotion besides the gibberish. A debate ensued. Are beards a necessary Muslim male attribute? I had expected a simple explanation. Clearly, the opinion on Muslim facial hair is not universal. Both men argued passionately. Emotions verged towards anger only to cool off and wait for the next flare of pride. I spectated, admiring the Moroccan spirit.
Then the battle halted. Aissam said the American equivalent of "well, look who it is." Were they expecting someone? I figured the debate was over because both men had exhausted their arguments. Instead, the lesson was just beginning. The unofficial judge of the debate walked into the shop. He too had a full beard, mostly white. Warmth radiated from his smile as he greeted us. His confidence made him seem taller than he really was. He was the Imam of the neighborhood mosque, the spiritual leader of Muhammad and Aissam.
"Excuse us. We were talking about a certain subject and were hoping you could enlighten us."
They presented the debate, and the Imam assumed his role as religious instructor. Again, I was unable to decipher the diction, but I could feel a change in the mood. It was no longer a debate. The students stopped fighting and listened intently. They nodded, murmuring an occasional "yes." The Imam appeared to have an effective solution to the confusion. They thanked the Imam for his wisdom, and described how the debate begun, pointing at me.
The Imam turned to me graciously. "Tu comprends Francais?" I told him I did understand French and he continued his rhythmic speech. "The beard is required in Islam. There are more important things in Islam than growing a beard of course, and many Muslims adopt to follow different fashions. With globalization you see the beard becoming less popular. If you are a Muslim, though, you should grow a full beard. Even though the beard is not that important, it is required." Then he asked me if I understood.
"Je comprends."
