DIfference between what I see and whate I read

The cover photo of TIME of this week was very shocking. A woman who lost her nose sit down on a floor. This was a tragedy of the woman who attempted run away from her husband and her in-lows. They abused her and she had no choice to leave. She was, however, captured by local commander and her husband. They cut her ear and nose as a revenge.

You may think this is a old story in some place in the world. It occurred, however, in Afganistan last year under the Taliban administration. Their policy is categorized as one of the most radical Islam idealism. Unfortunately, a lot of women are violated and abused based on intolerant ethics.

When I was a high school student, my image of Islam was not so good because of strict regulation or terrorism in USA. My image, however, was changed after I met a lot of students from Islam. I belong to a mining department in Japan. A lot of students come to our department because a lot of natural resources exist in Islam countries. I had to admit that I feel significant cultural difference between I and them. On the other hand, knowing completely different culture was fantastic experience for me. One of the best things which I learned from them was their sincere attitude for life. Their strict ethics for their religion remind me of the importance of awareness of good manner in your life. Their religion seems to results in their politeness and peace of mind. Their image was very different from my image of Taliban or people who attempted to terrorism.

I wrote that the influence of their religion on their mind. I would like to remind you of the highest level of education of Islam countries around 1000 years ago. They succeeded in advancement of their knowledge and that results in the base of culture in Europa at Middle Ages. Current chaotic situation and radical ethic of Islam idealism have significant gap with the level of culture they had those days.

I do not think current situation can be improved easily. On the other hand I have hope of piece of Islam countries in Middle east based on my experience with them. We cannot change society immediately. You can tell what you see and story with your words may change attitude of people there. That could be a key of understand each other.