I’ve been thinking about the post I wrote a few days ago about the Christian man who replaced the money that my teenage son and his friend lost, and the emotional chord that it struck in so many people.It turns out that this man was a Priest!&nbsp; So many people were moved (some to tears) by the kindness, generosity and sense of collective responsibility that this man felt towards two unknown children.Religion is often cited as a reason for the ills of this world - and it is true that religions have historically been either the motivation or the cover for violence, wars, extremism, hate of the ‘Other’ and misreatment of women and minorities. And this is ongoing today - look at Israel, India, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and the USA to name a few.&nbsp;But faith can also motivate us to carry out acts of kindness and love. So many people are inspired to live good lives in service of each other, their communities, the environment, animals, the elderly, disabled and destitute, precisely because of the teachings of their faith.&nbsp;Of course (before the atheists come for me!) you can live a perfectly good life without a faith or spiritual tradition.However, given the bad rap that religion gets these days, I think it’s important to highlight the immense good that can come from reflecting on the words of the Prophets and their sacred texts - be it the Buddha, Jesus, Mary or Mohammed (or any other deity or spiritual guide from indigenous cultures).But of course it depends on how you approach your religion, and the condition of your heart to begin with. Religion can be used for good or evil. Just like money, it’s not inherently good or bad - it’s an amplifier of what’s already there.&nbsp;A lot of ‘religious’ people today have fallen into the shadow side of religion: judgement, punishment, control, ego. This is the exact trap of lower consciousness that a spiritual approach (as opposed to merely a moral or intellectual one) is trying to save us humans from. But this is lost on many, who grasp to the minutiae of rules and rituals, while missing the expansive, loving and beautifying aspects of spiritual life.&nbsp;As a Muslim woman and a feminist, I get asked all the time, why would you follow a religion that treats women like second class citizens or condones violence? If you truly want to be free, don’t you need to leave religion behind altogether?Well, I say ‘don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!’Yes there are many problems with the way Islam is practiced today. But when I read my sacred texts I don’t find the narratives that most people associate with Islam. I find Beauty, Justice, Love and Peace.&nbsp;Which is why I encourage all Muslim women who might also be struggling with the uncomfortable side of their faith to:📚read the Quran for themselves&nbsp;🚺 Find a supportive (and feminist!) group of women to explore the gendered dynamics of our culture and religious practices❓question everything!! Including your own beliefs…Islam (like other religions) can be an empowering and liberating way of life, if we step out of the confines of rigid gender roles that have been imposed on us.&nbsp;This is what we do in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.we-rise.co.uk/risingsisterhood/">Rising Sisterhood</a>. Because I know that we can have our faith and our freedom. You never have to choose!!

In this personal blog, I'm reflecting on a touching act of Christian generosity, the shadow side of religious practice, and why women don’t have to choose between their faith and their freedom.

When Faith gave me Hope....

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When Faith gave me Hope....

When Faith gave me Hope....

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