Making Space
In light of the attack that occurred on Friday at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, I’d like to share a story I wrote nearly seven years ago. I realize there is an ongoing investigation taking place, so I don’t want to pretend I understand the entire context. However, violence like this experienced by some in the Muslim community is a reminder that we have a lot of work to do. I believe the story I’d like to share here represents the Canada we need to become.
Years ago I found myself in downtown Edmonton before work and I was looking to find some breakfast. I was on Jasper Avenue and about 100th street. It was about 7:30AM, so I knew a good bite to eat and a cup of coffee could be found underground near the Central LRT station at the newly opened “Burrow Central Station”. I remember it being fairly cold that morning, so I didn’t waste any time in taking the steps down to the station by the entrance beside the Edmonton Journal.
When I arrived, the station was very busy, full of students, workers, and business people rushing to start their mornings. Even though there was a bit of a lineup, I was willing to wait as the breakfast sandwich offering that morning was a beautiful ham and egg sandwich with tomato and creamy aioli served on a brioche bun. I’d wait for that!
Once I received my order, I opted to remain underground and eat my sandwich rather than make my way up to the streets above the surface. While I was finishing my coffee, I noticed a young Muslim woman wearing a Hijab coming up the escalator and walking towards the counter to place an order. She was listening to music on what looked like an iphone but she removed her ear buds in order to talk to the young man working at the till. She briefly looked at the menu options and then she asked the staff member “I’d really like to have a breakfast sandwich this morning, would it be ok if I could have the sandwich without the ham?” The server didn’t skip a beat. He smiled graciously and said, “Absolutely, how about I give you an extra slice of cheese instead so you get full value for the sandwich?” The young lady smiled in a way that said the following “Thank you for understanding, thank you for not judging, thank you for including me, and thank you for going out of your way to make space for me.” After the smile, she said, “Thank you, I’d really like that.” While it was cold outside, I felt warm that morning.
The interaction illustrated for me the risk and reward that comes when two people from completely different backgrounds value peace. It was an interaction that was intentional about not accepting half-truths, fear, or ignorance.
We all make choices about how we conduct ourselves and our choices ultimately speak to what we truly believe. Despite what we may verbalize or what we have convinced ourselves that we believe, ultimately action and conduct are the best indicators of belief.
My family and I are not perfect, but we will continue to live our lives in community, connecting with people who are different that we are, loving people who have different beliefs, and making space for those who are new to Canada. As a Christian, I need to remind myself continually to ask the question “Who is my neighbor?” and be confronted by the difficult answer that will always be “My neighbor is the one who is least like me.”
Friend, thank you for reading. May opportunities come your way this week for you to make space for someone else.
