“Do you mind if I ask you what you think about the burkini controversy at the beach in France?” asked the young man who had come to collect our outgoing mail from the office. This was not our regular postman, and I was somewhat surprised to be asked this question. Usually the postmen are in a hurry to pick up our mail. “I’m a Muslim,” he continued, “and I’m trying to get my head around what is happening and why there is so much hatred and paranoia towards Muslims. I don’t know why the police reacted the way they did. Do you think the woman was doing anything wrong?”

A colleague in reception with me at the time voiced her opinion that there is nothing wrong in wanting to dress modestly and still try to integrate and enjoy the beach. We spoke briefly for a few moments, and then he left.

The following day he came to collect our mail again. “I’m a deep thinker,” he said “and I do a lot of reading. I’m troubled that people are trying to cause division among Muslims, Jews and Christians when there is a lot that unites us.” I agreed. “I see from the name of your office that you are a church,” he said. “Can you tell me a bit about the Seventh-day Adventist church and what makes you different from other Christians?”

I spoke briefly about the first part of our name and how a loving Creator God gave us the Sabbath, and that the Sabbath is also mentioned in the Quran.

“I know my Quran very well,” he said. “Not all Muslims know what Islam teaches. There is much I could tell you that would probably surprise you.” I could see he would have liked a much longer conversation, but he had to rush away.

The following day our regular postman was back on duty. I have not seen the young Muslim man since, but I hope we will have another chance for conversation. I would like to tell him about the second part of our name and the return of Jesus, something I know Muslims also believe.

As hatred and prejudice increase in the world, I pray for opportunities to be a peacemaker and to point people to Christ who alone can break down every wall of division, looking forward to that day when He unites us forever in His kingdom.

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