279 - "Just curious, do you discuss religion with your Muslim friends much?"
Yes, as a matter of fact, we discussed all kinds of things. I was particularly close with a retired Colonel, and a Retired General and a retired Sargeant from the Egyptian Air Force. They had all been to the US, spoke english well, and were well college educated, pragmatic Muslims. In fact, as it was very important to him, I helped out the Sargeant financially so his daughter could go to a good Muslim college. My friends during this period were a mixture of Muslim and Coptic Christians.
Interestingly sevaral of their children got married during those years (right age grouping) and while we were friends, only the Christians could invite me the weddings (some of the Coptic churches are abosolutely beautiful). The Muslims appologized profusely, and I understood, but they invited me to the wedding receptions. That was a busy couple of years, I must have gone to half a dozen weddings/receptions.
Sometimes they would translate the mulla's rants from some of the mosques. Sometimes they refused, as they were "too bad", and didn't want me to be offended.
281 - Note - I gave my friend, the Sargeant's daughter, my copy of the Koran, in English and Arabic (English on one page, Arabic on the facing page), so she could perfect her English and her religion. (I was using it to learn mid-eastern culture, religion, and arabic language).