Curious Package

There was a book-sized box left on my front doorstep this afternoon by the postman. Though I am expecting boxes from Old Navy and Birthday Express, this wasn’t from either of those vendors. I didn’t recognize the sender; it was partially covered up by a zip code sticker.

Hefting the box, it was clear it contained a book. I was baffled. I didn’t remember ordering a book. I’ve been trying to be good, and read what I’ve got for awhile.

Before even opening the box, I peeled back the sticker covering the return address saw it was from CAIR, the Council on American-Islam Relations.

Ah, yes. I remember. The box contained my own personal, brand-spanking-new copy of the Quran.

For just the slightest moment, I hesitated opening the box. What if the CAIR is just a front organization for Al-Qaeda? What if, when I opened the box, there was anthrax or a small bomb inside?

Thinking such thoughts shames me. It just goes to show how destructive and insidious fear can be. When I shy away from the organization whose sole purpose is to educate and break down barriers between Muslims and non-Muslims, it is definitely time to make nice and ask some serious forgiveness.