A New Year greeting

In this global society it’s no longer rare to find yourself befriending people of different faiths and ideologies. This holiday season I sent greeting cards and New Year e-mail to Muslims, Jews, a Hindu, a believer in Shinto, Chinese communists.

I had to write different greetings to each one. But my Hindu friend in New Delhi received this New Year greeting that transcends differences and is perfect for the world of 2002. Some of you may have already received the same greeting by e-mail. The Hindu forwarded it to me and I’m sharing it with you:

"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all; and a fiscally success-ful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2002, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishees.

"By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:

"This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting.

"It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.

"This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."

* * *

This attention to religious, cultural and other sensibilities reminded me that 2001 was the year I made an effort for the first time in my life to learn about Islam. I’m sure this learning urge wasn’t unique to me. Those terror attacks on Sept. 11 put Islam in the global consciousness. If a bunch of bearded Islamists in some desolate patch of Central Asia can create so much trouble across the globe it would cost us our jobs, reduce our purchasing power and threaten our way of life, I have to learn about the religion they are invoking to justify their actions.

What angst drives such people? The learning isn’t easy in this country. I’ve been to the major book shops here and failed to find a single book about Islam.

From a Muslim friend I’ve received answers to some of my most pressing questions – about women in Islam, making money and earning a living. But even with his moderate views, used to the ways of the West, the answers aren’t too encouraging. From what I’ve gathered, there are aspects of the free, modern, secular world that simply can’t be reconciled with Islamic beliefs.

Will these differences continue to create major trouble in 2002? Or will significant steps be taken so there can be harmony amid diversity in this world? On the first day of the year I can dream utopian dreams. And send New Year’s Day greetings that won’t offend any sensibilities, promoting peaceful co-existence.

Happy New Year!

* * *

FOUND: Dreaming isn’t always a futile exercise. This one was a very long shot: I agreed with someone who told me the odds were 99 to 1 against finding my brother’s missing Labrador Athena.

But this is the season of faith and hope. Two days after the dog went missing, my brother was tipped off by an anonymous caller that a big white dog had been spotted in Barangay Buting in Pasig. The caller had read about Athena in our sister publication, Pilipino Star Ngayon, which ran her picture Saturday. My brother checked out the address that morning, accompanied by barangay councilman Pete Cruz, and there Athena was, with dog food and a new collar, leaping excitedly at the sound of her name.

I’d also like to thank Director Edgar Aglipay, Metro Manila police commander, for taking seriously my SOS about the dog and doing his best to help.