To tell you the honest-to-God truth, I have really never been "in love" with you.

Oh, you're a nice girl and all ... don't get me wrong here ..., but the truth of the matter is this:  I have really never felt comfortable around "your kind".  Being a Christian and all, I mean.  You see, I am a person of the Islamic faith.  It's how I was raised; it's all I have really ever known.  No, I am NOT the "extremist" type who bomb buildings or kill people at will, just to pass along their sick agenda, but I am a Muslim just the same and Islam is my religion.

Please don't be offended by this, but I couldn't hold it inside of me much longer.  If I did, I was afraid it would up and kill me, so I had to get it out in the open.  At least I'm not gay or doing drugs or anything like that, but because I AM a Muslim, people look at me with such contempt in their eyes and I know some of them probably want to rub me out or intentionally hurt me, especially since September 11, 2001, nearly ten years ago (gosh, has it really been that long already??).

I like most people, but I have really never felt comfortable around Christians as a whole, especially those Bible-thumpers who pound on their Bibles and scream damnation and hellfire to anyone who doesn't believe as they do.  Know too many of those kind, and it is because of them that I have been turned off of Christians (and Christianity) as a whole.  Any other "religion" I have no problem with; it's the Christians that I can't really deal with.

In addition, I know your family must hate me ... being a Muslim, and all.  How very sad.  They tend to judge me before they even get to know me as a person.  They would find out that I wouldn't hurt a living soul: to me, Islam is a religion of peace; it's the extremists who have twisted things around and have performed henious acts and now, because of September 11, 2001 (and other attacks, the most recent one being a few days ago in Oslo, Norway in which several people were killed), again the Muslim/Islamic world is in the spotlight ... and not in a very favorable way, I must add.

I love all living creatures and I love most people, but I have a problem with Christians.  I know my parents don't care for them and I have tried to be a good friend to you, but I just have a problem with how you believe.  It's because of the Bible-thumpers; there's extremists in your beliefs, too.  Think about it and look about you; you will clearly see what I mean once you do this.  It just might open your eyes at how you look at things or at your beliefs as a whole.

I still want to be your friend as an acquaintance, but sweetheart, I could never be "your guy".  I know you must be royally pissed off at me, but as I said, I had to get this out in the open before it destroyed me.  I have lost sleep and haven't eaten well ever since I wanted to tell you this, what I am writing down now; I just couldn't deal with it any longer, so this is why I write.  If you don't want to remain friends with me any longer because of this note, I can fully understand.  Sometimes I don't understand myself either.  The feeling will probably be mutual befween the two of us.

Well, Angel, I have bent your ear long enough.  I think it's high time I put this to bed and continue with my life.  Maybe we'll see each other again after this, but somehow I doubt it.  I hope you have a good life and I wish you well in all you do.  Thanks for reading this and (hopefully) understanding my views on this subject.

~Regards, your friend (I hope!), Malik Abood.  :(

~To be continued.~