"The Palestine issue, now of all times..." Randy observed grimly, seated across the table from his wife. True to her own promise--and only after making sure that he had already concluded his night prayers properly, for she understood it mattered to him--Rara had indeed brought that matter up during supper.

"You do realize this could go south real fast, don't you, Rara? Even just between us?" he took up. "It's been a thorn in the regional butt for as long as we care to remember, to begin with..."

"It is so... but that makes me even keener on hearing your views about it."

"Be careful what you wish for." He exhaled. "If there's anything else to this that I suppose we could both be grateful for, it might be that Saka is not around to listen in. Where to start?"

"Let's see. Back in the hospital, I saw the news about the rise of Hamas, a new radicalized Islamist group," she laid out. "Given the current Palestinian situation, I suspect you would say that you sympathize with them?"

"If I must. Why would it trouble you if I did? It would be nigh-impossible to do so for the other side, anyway."

"Would it?" Rara raised an eyebrow. "I for one find this peculiar. Muslims posit that they respect Jews, yet they defy Israel almost from its inception, and with such fervor. Why?"

"Categorically, and why shouldn't we? They've been establishing illegal settlements over the years, on Palestinian grounds, all while daring to evict most of the former residents... without force if possible but with it if need be. Who wouldn't want to resist to that, given enough persistence?"

"The Jews too had a long history of being evicted and brutalized, mind you," Rara argued. "Surely you'd care to remember the Holocaust? Six million of them dead, missing, or rendered traumatized; that's an entire generation's worth. The world has taught them either to fight, as it were, or perish. Even then they'd have to wait until after the end of the Second World War to earn a mere spit of land they could finally call their own. Would you not say they deserve at least that much?"

Randy narrowed his eyes. "Need that be where there are so many sites both of our faiths regard as sacred, though?"

"Those 'sacred sites' were there before Muhammad was even born. What's more, to the Jews, Palestine had always been their Promised Land; don't you know this? And moreover, Israel got where they are after they'd won the Six Days War. To the victor goes the spoils; this is common sense."

"They'd won that frickin' war only through our country's aid!" Randy observed bitterly. His wife shrugged.

"Alliances too are normal in wars, and in any case, most of us do believe they should be given some space to live in; so why are you Muslims so against that?"

"We are not against the fact that Jews and Muslims ought to live side by side, you hear?" Randy's fists were clenched on the table. "That has been the case for centuries in known history, since before that state of ingrates daring to call itself 'Israel' was even a thing!"

"State of... ingrates?" Tamara's expression hardened. "How could you..!"

"Look, Rara; we both know our history. I won't deny that said 'Promised Land' had been in possession of the British as and when they'd decided to gift part of that away to the Zionists. I'll even accept that it had been within their rights to do so.

"The real problem started when 'Israel' started desiring more lands at the Palestinians' expense; to this end, they seem to have steeled themselves to doing almost whatever it takes to achieve that. And in brutal fact, they had targeted hospitals, schools, mosques, refugee camps... in short, buildings never supposed to be subjected to attack... over the years, thereby fanning the surrounding mostly-Muslim nations' continued hostility, which I gather would persist for as long as such targeting does not cease. And it hasn't!" Randy sighed. "But, since you're already predisposed to think that they should either 'fight or perish', well..."

"Hey, it's not like I would have supported their actions in continuing to raze the mosques, schools, hospitals and the like had I known about that sooner! That would indeed be horrible..."

"That is what has been happening, as far as I'm concerned, and for decades now! Heck, we even grew up with it. Brutalities aside, though--not to mention our nation's unconditional support come what may, thereby enabling those present-day Israelites to continue to act with such impunity--they'd more recently gotten to corner and blockade Palestinian freedom fighters within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; what was left of once-free Palestine. So, yes... should this Hamas organization ever become strong enough to enable them to rally Gazans to fight back, in whatever small ways they could, you'll find that they have my sympathy. It may not amount to much, but let's be realistic: I'm a man with an actual family to raise, not some politician accustomed to blurred truths and honeyed lies.... It's the least I feel I could do, wouldn't you say?"

For some time there was quiet. Rara could tell that this issue was one of those her husband felt strongly-passionate about.

"You really think, then," she said carefully, "that the modern-day Israelites have gone full around, from victims to... ingrates? Nothing I could do to change your mind?"

"I know it's rude to just judge, but yes. It's not them being mostly Jewish that we Muslims are so against, understand; but rather, their continued, unmitigated, often willful, and almost certainly indiscriminate acts of violence towards our fellow co-religionists... if you haven't already caught that."

Tamara huffed. "Well I, for one, still regard them--as well as the Palestinians, before you get me wrong--as fellow peoples deserving peace. If it helps, there are Americans supporting the Palestinian cause as well; I'm not even joking. Further still... yeah, it might actually be wiser to focus on your own family first. In fact, I've been thinking... maybe I will take up your offer of being a Muslim after all, along with Saka. That's what you've always wanted, right?"

Randy gazed at her searchingly. "Please do not think of this merely as an offer, Tamara; much less because you think I've always wanted it. This has to be something you find convincing enough to remain firm on, come what may, 'til your dying breath. If that should be too much for you, say so now. Not meaning to sound angry nor rude here, but I rather you remain solidly Christian than be a dithering Muslim! Please think on that."

"Garendi..."

He held up his hand, his expression firm. "I mean it. Take your time. You have yet, for instance, to learn Saka's view of it. When you have, we'll talk again. Alright?" Rara nodded. "Good. Now please, leave. I just... need to be alone..."

***

Not for the first time, Rara felt bad even as she reluctantly complied. Mention of the raging Palestinian conflict, even then, seemed to have grieved her husband more than she had perhaps expected... and indeed, why wouldn't it? 'Be careful what you wish for', he had warned.

Heck, if there is more to be positively-impressed about all this, Mrs. Greenfields observed as she took herself to the living room, it would be that--even as I've broached two of arguably the most sensitive topics in his religion, first about Muhammad and now this--not once did Randy get physical, considering how I'd laid things out! Maybe it's just him; but if such levels of self-restraint is what would be expected of all Muslims, why, that would be admirable...

"God knows," Rara murmured, "if Saka could learn to achieve even a bit of that level-headed calmness, he might indeed grow up to be a better individual! Besides, yes, I haven't yet learned of his opinion about what he's being taught, much as Randy probably still has not gotten around to resolve things with Baxter. All the more reason to give each other some space..."

The more Rara got to find out about Islam and the Muslims--even in the matter of just a few days--the more she warmed up to the idea of actually being part of them.

Amidst such thoughts, to her mild surprise, Randy came along to the living room and sat quietly beside her, still looking somewhat dispirited.

"I'm sorry," he managed at length while giving her an earnest, almost longing, look. "I just... don't want you to leave with the impression that I might teach Saka to be a Jew-hater, considering. I can understand your feeling for those people, such as they may have become in more recent times. It's no different than what I'm feeling for the embattled Palestinians, in truth. Each of us may have our prejudices, but let's not allow those to cloud our judgments when it comes to what's best for our son going forward."

"Can't agree more; I was just going to suggest that too." Tamara smiled. "Thanks, also, for willing to acknowledge the Jews as people, because deep down, that's what I feel they are and have always been... and now that you mention it, should it be established beyond any reasonable doubt that they have been committing such atrocities to your co-religionists on their own lands, why, I might have cause to reconsider my political support for Israel and actually warm up to the Palestinian cause."

Randy smiled back, and his wife could swear that his eyes were getting misty. "I can't thank you enough for that, Tamara. It means so much to me..."

"I can tell." Rara gave him a compassionate side-hug. "And you know what else? I might not need to hear Saka's views on Islam, per say; for I have made my decision." She let go, and matched his curious stare with her resolute one. "I shall join you both in Islam and, God Willing, will remain firm on it 'til my dying breath."

The husband sat up straight. "All things considered?"

"All things considered."

"Even being regarded an apostate by people of your faith?"

"Realistically? That's my problem. Even then I trust I'll continue to have your support. Maybe Saka's too."

"Count on it. Are you absolutely certain, thus? No more lingering questions nor doubts?"

Rara was momentarily quiet. "Just two more. First, what will become of our past sins prior to becoming a Muslim?"

"Actual crimes aside, you may consider yourself reborn. Clean slate. Free to start anew."

"Fair enough. And, second... I've been thinking, I might have to focus more inwardly as a Muslim. You know, like... less trying to convert others, and more on bettering my own behavior? Is that really considered fine in Islam? It almost feels like I'm being prompted to be an introvert..."

Randy laughed. "For comparison, that's what I've been doing; you've seen a good part of it. Does that make me come off as an introvert?"

"When you put it that way... no; but it just feels kinda odd. From what I understand, Muslims are encouraged to actively preach their faith."

"That's open to interpretation, sort of, and situational. Granted, there are and will be those who take that encouragement too seriously, and as a result appear to be just a tad too pushy. This holds whether we are in Indonesia, with its Muslim majority, or here, where we haven't that kind of luxury... yet. Just the way it goes. Either way, if continuing to keep a low profile is what it takes to continue practicing our faith while keeping our family safe, I'm all for it. Sound familiar?"

"Okay. So, um... do I need to make a declaration of any sort at this point?"

"Yes. When you're ready, utter the shahada: testify that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammad is His prime Messenger."

Tamara repeated it while holding his hand and gazing at him, perhaps for mental support.

"Alhamdulillah--praise be to Allah," Garendi took up. "I suggest you also repeat this declaration in the nearest mosque in the near future, to bring this new fact to bigger audiences, if you will... and... oh, that reminds me, I'll also have to buy hijabs and veils for you. Some prayer-rugs, too."

"Hijabs and veils, huh... How are they different?"

"You'll be wearing veils for the daily prayers only, in or out of the house... say, during trips... and that's mandatory," Randy pointed out. "As for the hijabs, you may wear them when you go outside. They're not mandatory, per say, but will help people identify you as a Muslim woman."

"Hmm. Right. Also, in light of this... do you think it's still fine for me to go visit Saka? If I told him about my conversion, he might be eager to let you know."

"Let him, and let that be his most treasured gift, even more so than the sarong and stories you'd be bringing him. Let him know too that when he gets home, we'll finally be a family of one uniform faith. For my part, I still have to sort things out with Baxter. Pray for me, would you?"

"I will. Oh, and Garendi..."

"Hmm?"

"This is more for Saka than for me, just in case he asks later... but how old does someone have to be before the daily prayers would be obligated to them?"

"Seven years old," came the reply, "and don't worry, he already knows."

"He... he has?"

"Yes. Why do you think he's asked for the sarong? He means to observe the prayers as best he could, even while bedridden."

"Huh... Looks like I'm the one who's got lots more to learn, then."

"In that, you will not be alone."

That night, as she went to sleep, Rara couldn't help feeling that she had done something praiseworthy. Not only had she successfully and amicably resolved issues often considered dicey with her husband; she had likewise taken the 'big leap' by willingly embracing Islam, thereby earning her first warm welcome.