Anita and I were in Lagos, Nigeria where we had both spoken at a pastor’s conference. The other pastors that travelled over with us were travelling on to another confernece in another African nation, but were were headed home. We were escorted to the security gate, and were on our own from there. We walked down the concourse to the end where our gate was. There on the floor, from wall to wall, were Muslims bowed down in prayer to Allah. We had to get by but they blocked the concourse. I knew it was rude, but we just waded through them to get to the other side. After all, we’re not Muslims, I thought. And we were the only ones around not on our knees. Anita just followed me.

After we got to the gate Anita let me know how uncomfortable she was doing that. And we remembered that women were not allowed to come near Muslim men when they were praying. Wow, we could have started a holy war right there in the airport!

Sometimes we innocently violate another’s standard of right and wrong on their own turf. When has that happened in your life?

Tags: Islam, Nigeria