Ties That Bind: Interfaith Friend, Interfaith Kin

Abstract

“Ako Bog da.” These three words permeate the speech of my moth­er-in-law of 13 years, Izeta. It is the Bosnian equivalent of the Arabic phrase popular with Muslims the world over, Insha’Allah (If God so wills). Somehow these words best capture the essence of the ever-evolving relationship between me, an American Catholic, and Izeta, a Bosnian Muslim. I see our spiritual friendship as God-willed, since we did not choose to be friends. Rather, we became family first, and friends later. We are thus both interfaith friends and interfaith kin. A unique situation indeed, and certainly not planned on our part. Providential.