Anne of Carversville Learns to Celebrate Ramadan

Tonight the First Couple will host a Ramandan celebration at the White House. No word yet, on the menu. While this is not the first Ramadan dinner at the White House, it comes at a time of increased dialogue between America and the Muslim world.

Unintentionally, I have also entered this discussion, via my support of Lubna Ahmed Hussein, who will return to court in Sudan on Sept, 7, 2009.

Officers of Malaysia's Islamic authority use a telescope to perform "rukyah", the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan, in Teluk Kemang, south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 20, 2009. Muslims scan the sky at dusk in the beginning of the lunar calendar's ninth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the start of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad) Reflecting on burqas and international women's rights has thrust me into a wide-ranging discussion on the relationship of religion and politics; religion and women's rights; and global politics.

In a world of folks who mostly seek black and white solutions for how we live our lives, I'm mired in 'grey matter', when the fundamental elements of any religion collide in oppostition to each other.

Just this morning I read an excellent article, on The Jakarta Post: Pluralism, Indonesia's historic strength. I commented that this is one of the first essays I've read in which the importance of pluralism in Islam is even mentioned, let alone being emphasized.

A Musaharati, dawn awakener, lights up a lantern before touring the streets with his drums to wake observant Muslims for their overnight 'sahur', last meal, before the day's fast in Sidon's Old City in south Lebanon just before dawn August 26, 2009. (REUTERS/ Ali Hashisho) My strategy at Anne of Carversville is to admit my own unease over the waves of fundamentalism sweeping the world. If I'm not mistaken, Islam is the biggest wave of rigorous, strict interpretation of societal organization and conduct. Certainly it's joined by Orthodox Judaism and Fundamentalist Christianity.

In not being politically correct, yet open and respectful, I believe that I'm activating genuine conversation and thought in my own little corner of the digital world.

Moderates of both sides must begin serious dialogue with each other.

With fundamentalists being passionate in their causes and singular visions of life on earth, moderates cannot respond "not my concern". As women lose rights again in Afghanistan and the Sudan -- just to name two countries -- it's imperative that progress not be taken for granted.

Muslims attend prayers on the eve of the first day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan at Al Akbar mosque in Surabaya, East Java, Indoneisia on August 21, 2009.I've mentioned my own significant male audience on all three of my websites. As our numbers climb aggressively, we capture the attention of both genders.

The dialogue is very different between the men and women. Muslim men say to me: "I've very concerned about the future of my daughters, Anne." Muslim women say: "Allah will take care of everything."

Conclusions aren't drawn from this gender difference but they concern me. I wrote this weekend that I am comfortably behind Lubna Ahmed Hussein, because she has put her cards on the table, in terms of her own relationship with fundamentalists.  We share a world view and after listening to Lubna on French TV, I know that she wants me to communicate this message.

I'm aware that many Muslim women believe that my support contiminates the issue, but Lubna does not. Also, I totally embrace Muslim women who are trying to win womens rights under existing Sharia laws.

For me, the issue goes beyond Western women being at ease with Muslim women wearing hijab or burkas, out of choice.  I believe this is the minor issue -- a small number of 'free' Muslim women -- and it's unfortunate that this is the focus of the international press.

The real question for me is for moderate Muslims to give me a sense of the world they envision and my place in it, as a Western woman. As an American woman, I owe them the same vision.

Today I admit that the willingness of an educated Muslim woman to completely cover her entire body, except for her eyes, and then demand that she be taken seriously in a pluralistic word, including having a career in the American institution of her choice,  is a stretch for me. 

I understand all the arguments, believe me. And I have zero concern fashion-wise about women like Rabina Khan, who wish do dress modestly. That's a matter of private choice and I always support a woman's right to do so.

Egyptian women walk past paper lanterns used as decorations during Ramadan, on a street in downtown Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)Because so many Muslim women --  even educated ones --  say "Allah will settle this problem; we must trust him and surrender our will to him", I'm left rowing downstream with no oars and a whole lot of unease.

For someone who drifted alone at 3am, age 23, up Colombia's Magdalena River, speaking no Spanish on a working-class barge, I am typically not afraid of the unknown.

I've been in jams all over the world. One night in the Golden Triangle threatened to be the worst nights of my life, and it's one of the five best -- totally profound. I readily embrace the exotic, when I feel I have some control over my own life.

Communication and scholarship are cornerstones of civilizations, and I'm thrilled to see us talking about these important topics. As a part of that new beginning, the President emphasizes that our relationship with Muslim communities cannot be based on political and security concerns alone. True partnerships also require cooperation in all areas – particularly those that can make a positive difference in peoples’ daily lives, including education, science and technology, health, and entrepreneurship - fields in which Muslim communities have helped play a pioneering role throughout history.

I so agree with the president's comments. But even moreso -- besides highlighting the extraordinary achievements of Muslims around the world -- we must articulate the future lifestyles of the world we envision.

When people have no real vision of the future, they becomes hysterical.

America's own recent health care meetings demonstrate just how irrational folks can be. Irrational fear is one of life's greatest motivators to action.

In the days after tonight's Ramadan White House dinner, my readers will continue to search for answers about living together in an increasingly global society.

A Palestinian boy plays with a sparkler on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City on August 21, 2009. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) Thanks Boston Globe, for these wonderful photos.

Warm wishes to all my new Muslim friends and feel free to advise us on how to maneuveur these increasingly turbulent and complex waters. Anne