Dogs and Diversity
Ahmed Tharwat, producer and host of the Arab/Muslim-American television show Belahdan in Minnesota's Twin Cities, describes his first social experience as a dog owner:
I noticed something new was happening out there, something Arab-Americans have rarely experienced since Sept. 11. People on the street, in their cars, in the parking lot, and at the supermarket were giving me a new look?a friendly one. Strangers who used to skillfully avoid eye contact now wanted to engage me in warm conversation. . . . . Families congregated around me with their children to see the cute puppy. . . .
Tharwat cautions dog-owners, however, not to use their dogs to reach out across the cultural divide to their Muslim neighbors:
In Islamic tradition, Muslims are prohibited from touching the saliva of dogs. If you do come in contact with a dog, you're supposed to wash your hands seven times before you pray. Most Muslims will avoid dogs at all cost to stay clean for their daily prayers.
Dog-owners are reminded that sit-to-greet is the preferred behavior of a dog that is being introduced to a friendly stranger.