[Tom B.]

My neighbor from Syria is likely to lose his father very soon. The family are Muslims. Can someone give me some do's or don'ts as far as expressing sympathy and supporting the family in the event of the death of a loved one?

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Name : Tom B., Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, City : High Point, State : NC Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Amy]

You might want to make a casserole or dessert and offer it to them; they may share it with you or put in the freezer for a later date. Visit them often, but do not stay for too long (15-20 minutes), lest you might feel you need to be entertained. If the mother is alive, she will be in seclusion for about four months and 10 days after the husband's death (the official mourning period for all widows). Perhaps the women of your family will continue to visit her during her seclusion. A verse from the Quraan states, 'Verily we are from God, and we shall all return to him.' Your kindness will be appreciated and remembered.

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Name : Amy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Asian, Religion : Muslim, Age : 40, City : Winnipeg, State : NA Country : Canada, Occupation : student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Mo]

Do: call them and ask what time you can stop by to express sympathy. Muslims usually have 3 to 7 days after the death for people to do that. You should not stay more than 20 minutes.

Do: when you go, do not say, 'I am sorry.' Just say that we are all for God (Allah) and we all will go back to him one day.

Do (if you want): invite or send them lunch or dinner during the first 3 or 7 days (call first), because they will be too busy to cook. Do not send or serve desserts.

Do not: if you have a wife and she should wanted to express sympathy, she should go to were women go; men and women have different places to do that.

Do not: talk of death as a tragedy; talk of it as a test from God and that we will all go to another life after this life.

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Name : Mo, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Muslim, Age : 32, City : Alexandria, State : VA Country : United States, Occupation : bank employee, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

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