Shirin is a young Iranian woman whom we have befriended over the last several weeks. She is 20 years old, laughs much, and has a winning smile, but her black eyes seem to beg for an answer she hasn’t yet found. Shirin speaks English clearly and catches English twists of words.

Because of our schedule, we have opportunity to sit near Shirin often. Today, as she sat right in front of us, we asked, “Where is your friend, Ali?”

“He has gone home, home to Iran,” she said. When we asked why, she simply replied, “He probably got to missing his family too much.” Then, with a saddened expression, she added, “We all miss our families a lot.”

As it was the first day of Ramadan, a 30-day season of both fasting and feasting, I asked, “Do you miss your family more during Ramadan?”
To my surprise, she said, “Ramadan really doesn’t matter that much to me.”

Esther asked, “Iran is mainly Muslim, yes?” Shirin shook her head and said, “Unfortunately, yes. But people don’t really like it.”

My wife questioned again, “You are a Muslim?”

Shirin said in a confident voice, “Yes, but I believe in Jesus’ way. He was a kind man. Mohammed only killed a lot of people.” We were surprised at her boldness with so many Muslim ears close by. But Shirin didn’t hedge her words. “I have read a lot about Jesus’ life, and He was a better man. My country is trapped by Islam, most know it.”

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