The Day Shaytaan Tried His Best!

Chapter 2: Mekye's Initiative

The creation of Interfaith Library by Mekye was unique and necessary at that time for several reasons. Firstly, in a world marked by increasing globalization and interconnectivity, the need for understanding and cooperation among people of different faiths had become more critical and necessary than ever. Unfortunately, the availability of comprehensive and unbiased resources that accurately represent the various religious traditions were limited, and this gap in accessible knowledge hindered efforts to foster interfaith understanding and harmony.

Mekye's initiative addressed this gap by providing a centralized repository of resources on multiple faiths, thereby promoting greater understanding, dialogue, and respect among individuals of different religious backgrounds. By making these resources available in a single location, the Interfaith Library facilitated learning, research, and education about diverse religious beliefs, practices, and perspectives. This not only contributed to greater mutual understanding but also helped combat misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices that arose due to ignorance and misinformation about different faith traditions.

After the creation of the library, he took this radical idea to the internet where it took on a life of its own. The significance of sharing this initiative on the internet lied in its potential to reach a global audience. The internet offered a platform for disseminating information to a wide and diverse audience, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural barriers. By sharing the Interfaith Library online, Mekye had amplified its impact and made it accessible to most people around the world, thereby contributing to the promotion of interfaith understanding on a global scale.

Regarding why the initial council failed in the past, it's important to recognize that the promotion of interfaith understanding and cooperation had historically faced numerous challenges and scrutiny. In many cases, there had been limited recognition of the importance of such initiatives, and/or prevailing attitudes and geopolitical dynamics had most times hindered efforts to allow interfaith dialogue and cooperation to happen.

A few years went by and Interfaith Library was becoming a household name. Religious schools and universities were using its resources and also encouraging their students to reference from it. Interfaith Library was becoming more than a repository. It was becoming an institution. But like all successful things it had its trials. Mekye would also have his moments of being tested.

As time passed, Mekye's unwavering devotion began to waver. The lore of the world, with all its distractions and temptations, slowly began to seep into his heart and mind. The Imam found himself increasingly drawn to the complexities of the temporal world, its politics, its conflicts, and its ever-changing landscape. As he immersed himself in the affairs of the world, he felt a growing sense of unease and conflict within himself. His spiritual duties began to take a backseat to the demands of the temporal world, and he struggled to reconcile his deep-seated faith with the allure of worldly power and influence.

Mekye began to feel a sense of pride in his accomplishments, and he enjoyed the praise and adulation of his followers. However, as time went on, he began to crave more and more recognition. He found himself seeking validation from others and measuring his worth by the praise he received.

As his ego swelled, Imam Mekye's spiritual well-being began to suffer. He became increasingly focused on his public image and less on the true teachings of his faith. His once genuine and heartfelt examples became filled with self-aggrandizement, and his intentions became clouded by a desire for acclaim.

One day, his companion approached him and lovingly confronted him about the change she had observed in him. She reminded him of the humility and selflessness that should guide his actions as a leader and spiritual guide. Stating to him that he couldn't be a man of God and a man of the world too. At first, Imam Mekye was defensive, but as he reflected on her words, he realized the truth in them.

With a heavy heart, he sought solitude and turned to prayer and reflection. In the quiet moments of introspection, he recognized the damage his ego had inflicted upon his spirituality and relationship. He sought forgiveness and vowed to change his ways, humbling himself once more before the divine and committing to serving his Lord and community with sincerity and humility.

Over time, Mekye's transformation became evident to all who knew him. His teaching regained their sincerity, and his actions reflected a renewed sense of humility and devotion. As he let go of the need for worldly praise, he found a deeper, more fulfilling connection to his faith and his community. His journey began to served as a powerful reminder of the dangers of ego and the importance of spiritual humility.