On Sunday evening, March, 2011, CNN aired a one-hour special called “Unwelcome: Muslims Next Door.” Reporter Soledad O’Brien went inside the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to investigate the controversy surrounding the proposed construction of a 52,000 square-foot mosque. This story highlights the national issue of religious freedom for the Muslim community that has been viewed as a suspect group across American since 9/11.
Showing posts with label Islamophobia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islamophobia. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, April 19, 2009
This is America: Muslims lack sensitivity...
American Muslims lack cultural sensitivity, awareness and respect for non-Muslims. It is a common scene in Muslim mosques. A non-Muslim walks in and is treated so badly, he or she makes quick judgments that are passed along to friends, who have never met or attended Muslim functions.
The above video exposes a tad of the problem. Throughout America, Muslim immigrants are of the opinion that they don't have to explain anything about Islam to their friends. Many Muslim immigrants begin to talk in their native languages around non-Muslim guests. It is rude behavior and very damaging in an effort to create a better understanding of Islam.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Prayer is the answer, period
Members of faith community dedicate CTCA chapel
April 16, 2009
ZION -- Muslim, Roman Catholic and Christian religious officials came together to dedicate the newly renovated chapel at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Zion Wednesday morning.
“This space holds a special spot in our hearts,” said Anne Meisner, CTCA president and CEO. "This is a dream come true for us. We're all pleased and excited with the result."
Ahmadiyya Muslim Hasan Hakeem of Waukegan reads from the Holy Quran during the dedication of the Mary Brown Stephenson All Faiths Chapel at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwest Regional Medical Center in Zion.
(Thomas Delany, Jr./News-Sun)
(Thomas Delany, Jr./News-Sun)
Registered nurse Julie Campbell of Beach Park holds up her "living stone."
Living stones for the tranquility fountain were given out at the dedication of the the Mary Brown Stephenson All Faiths Chapel.
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• Photos: Faith healingThe chapel is three times larger than the former chapel, said the Rev. Percy McCray, CTCA director of pastoral care. The Mary Brown Stephenson All Faiths Chapel is designed as a non-denominational space and is decorated with a tree of life theme. A water feature and a large stained glass window serve as the two focal points.
Anthony Fossland, president of Midwestern Regional Medical Center board of trustees, donated the stained glass windows to commemorate his three deceased wives, Laura, June and Beulah.
"I greatly appreciate the hospital," the Rev. Percy McCray read in a statement on Fossland's behalf. "God has indeed richly blessed me in my life." McCray is director of pastoral care at CTCA.
The dedication also included a blessing from different religious officials.
"My blessing for this new chapel is that God brings healing upon the people here," said Robert Ochsner, deacon for Our Lady of Humility Catholic Church in Beach Park.
"All of Lake County, if not the world, can be proud of what was started here," said Chaplain Hasan Hakeem, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Zion.
Hakeem shared the Muslim perspective on faith and medicine at a discussion prior to the dedication ceremony.
"We say the greatest weapon you have is prayer. You should always believe Allah (God) is a healer, but you should also go to your doctor," Hakeem said.
Ochsner echoed Hakeem's point about the power of prayer.
"Prayer is the answer, period," Ochsner said.
McCray said he didn't think there was as much of a struggle between faith and medicine as people think. He did say that people with faith tend to look for more extreme health measures.
Faith does affect the way some patients seek cancer treatments.
"I have had patients where their faith is just blinding them to the extent that unless God tells them to be treated, they won't get treated at all. That is more challenging to convince them. I tell them 'You are here because God sent you,'" said Dr. Rakhashanda Neelam, CTCA medical oncologist.
One of her patients, Lois Kearney, is a Jehovah's Witness, which does not permit her to accept blood transfusions. Kearney, a lifelong Jehovah's Witness, cited Acts 15:28, which says "you are to abstain ... from blood," according to the New International Version.
When she underwent her mastectomy, Kearney said her doctors worked with her.
"If I would have needed blood from my surgery, they told me they would comply with my wishes, which was very reassuring," Kearney said.
This particular faith restriction is among the "perceived contradictions to medical instructions" that pastoral care workers help smooth over, McCray said.
"We are obligated to honor and respect people's religious beliefs. We help moderate and help doctors understand (when) there are faith restrictions," McCray said.
The views expressed in these blog posts are those of the author and not of the Sun-Times News Group.
America is not a Christian nation
Religious conservatives argue the Founding Fathers intended the United States to be a Judeo-Christian country. But President Obama is right when he says it isn't.
By Michael Lind
Apr. 14, 2009 |
Is America a Christian nation, as many conservatives claim it is? One American doesn't think so. In his press conference on April 6 in Turkey, President Obama explained: "One of the great strengths of the United States is … we have a very large Christian population -- we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."
Predictably, Obama's remarks have enraged conservative talking heads. But Obama's observations have ample precedent in American diplomacy and constitutional thought. The most striking is the Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1797. Article 11 states: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility [sic], of Mussulmen [Muslims]; and, as the said States never have entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
Conservatives who claim that the U.S. is a "Christian nation" sometimes dismiss the Treaty of Tripoli because it was authored by the U.S. diplomat Joel Barlow, an Enlightenment freethinker. Well, then, how about the tenth president, John Tyler, in an 1843 letter: "The United States have adventured upon a great and noble experiment, which is believed to have been hazarded in the absence of all previous precedent -- that of total separation of Church and State. No religious establishment by law exists among us. The conscience is left free from all restraint and each is permitted to worship his Maker after his own judgment. The offices of the Government are open alike to all. No tithes are levied to support an established Hierarchy, nor is the fallible judgment of man set up as the sure and infallible creed of faith. The Mohammedan, if he will to come among us would have the privilege guaranteed to him by the constitution to worship according to the Koran; and the East Indian might erect a shrine to Brahma, if it so pleased him. Such is the spirit of toleration inculcated by our political Institutions."
Was Tyler too minor a president to be considered an authority on whether the U.S. is a Christian republic or not? Here's George Washington in a letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island in 1790: "The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy -- a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support ... May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants -- while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid."
Eloquent as he is, Barack Obama could not have put it better.
Contrast this with John McCain's interview with Beliefnet during the 2008 presidential campaign: "But I think the number one issue people should make [in the] selection of the President of the United States is, 'Will this person carry on in the Judeo Christian principled tradition that has made this nation the greatest experiment in the history of mankind?'" Asked whether this would rule out a Muslim candidate for the presidency, McCain answered, "But, no, I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles ... personally, I prefer someone who I know has a solid grounding in my faith. But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is a Muslim would not make a good president. I don't say that we would rule out under any circumstances someone of a different faith. I just would -- I just feel that that's an important part of our qualifications to lead."
Conservatives who, like McCain, assert that the U.S. is in some sense a Christian or Judeo-Christian nation tend to make one of four arguments. The first is anthropological: The majority of Americans describe themselves as Christians, even though the number of voters who describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated has grown from 5.3 percent in 1988 to 12 percent in 2008. But the ratio of Christians to non-Christians in American society as a whole is irrelevant to the question of whether American government is Christian.
The second argument is that the constitution itself is somehow Christian in character. On that point, candidate McCain said: "I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation." Is McCain right? Is the U.S. a Christian republic in the sense that according to their constitutions Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan are all now officially Islamic republics? What does the Constitution say? Article VI states that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust in the United States." Then there is the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... "
True, over the years since the founding, Christian nationalists have won a few victories -- inserting "In God We Trust" on our money during the Civil War in 1863, adding "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance during the Cold War in 1954. And there are legislative and military chaplains and ceremonial days of thanksgiving. But these are pretty feeble foundations on which to claim that the U.S. is a Christian republic. ("Judeo-Christian" is a weaselly term used by Christian nationalists to avoid offending Jews; it should be translated as "Christian.")
The third argument holds that while the U.S. government itself may not be formally Christian, the Lockean natural rights theory on which American republicanism rests is supported, in its turn, by Christian theology. Jefferson summarized Lockean natural rights liberalism in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights … that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …" Many conservatives assert that to be a good Lockean natural nights liberal, one must believe that the Creator who is endowing these rights is the personal God of the Abrahamic religions.
This conflation of Christianity and natural rights liberalism helps to explain one of John McCain's more muddled answers in his Beliefnet interview: "[The] United States of America was founded on the values of Judeo-Christian values [sic], which were translated by our founding fathers which is basically the rights of human dignity and human rights." The same idea lies behind then-Attorney General John Ashcroft's statement to religious broadcasters: "Civilized individuals, Christians, Jews and Muslims" -- sorry, Hindus and Buddhists! -- "all understand that the source of freedom and human dignity is the Creator."
In reality, neither Jewish nor Christian traditions know anything of the ideas of natural rights and social contract found in Hobbes, Gassendi and Locke. That's because those ideas were inspired by themes found in non-Christian Greek and Roman philosophy. Ideas of the social contract were anticipated in the fourth and fifth centuries BC by the sophists Glaucon and Lycophron, according to Plato and Aristotle, and by Epicurus, who banished divine activity from a universe explained by natural forces and taught that justice is an agreement among people neither to harm nor be harmed. The idea that all human beings are equal by nature also comes from the Greek sophists and was planted by the Roman jurist Ulpian in Roman law: "quod ad ius naturale attinet, omnes homines aequales sunt" -- according to the law of nature, all human beings are equal.
Desperate to obscure the actual intellectual roots of the Declaration of Independence in Greek philosophy and Roman law, Christian apologists have sought to identify the "Creator" who endows everyone with unalienable rights with the revealed, personal God of Moses and Jesus. But a few sentences earlier, the Declaration refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God." Adherents of natural rights liberalism often have dropped "Nature's God" and relied solely on "Nature" as the source of natural rights.
In any event, in order to be a good American citizen one need not subscribe to Lockean liberalism. Jefferson, a Lockean liberal himself, did not impose any philosophical or religious test on good citizenship. In his "Notes on the State of Virginia," he wrote: "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
The fourth and final argument made in favor of a "Christian America" by religious conservatives is the best-grounded in history but also the weakest. They point out that American leaders from the founders to the present have seen a role for otherwise privatized and personal religion in turning out moral, law-abiding citizens. As George Washington wrote in his 1796 Farewell Address:
"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them."
In Washington's day, it may have been reasonable for the elite to worry that only fear of hellfire kept the masses from running amok, but in the 21st century it is clear that democracy as a form of government does not require citizens who believe in supernatural religion. Most of the world's stable democracies are in Europe, where the population is largely post-Christian and secular, and in East Asian countries like Japan where the "Judeo-Christian tradition" has never been part of the majority culture.
The idea that religion is important because it educates democratic citizens in morality is actually quite demeaning to religion. It imposes a political test on religion, as it were -- religions are not true or false, but merely useful or dangerous, when it comes to encouraging the civic virtues that are desirable in citizens of a constitutional, democratic republic. Washington's instrumental view of religion as a kind of prop was agreeable to another two-term American president more than a century and a half later. "[O]ur form of government has no sense unless it is founded on a deeply felt religious faith," said Dwight Eisenhower, "and I don't care what it is." And it's indistinguishable from Edward Gibbon's description of Roman religion in his famous multi-volume "Decline and Fall": "The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people, as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord."
President Obama, then, is right. The American republic, as distinct from the American population, is not post-Christian because it was never Christian. In the president's words: "We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values." And for that we should thank the gods. All 20 of them.
-- By Michael Lind
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A Glimmer of Hope or...are we spinning out of control?
Recently, I posted a press release (it can be read on my blog) that was simple and straightforward regarding Islamophobia. It was an invitation to a event held April 18, 2009, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Zion, Illinois. USA
The Daily Herald, a very respected and well read newspaper, published the press release in its entirety. We thank the publishers for including it as a Letter to the Editor. After online publication, the letter was besieged by bloggers, who certainly are entitled to their views, who ripped Islam, Muslims. They created a string of comments that were curious to me. I applaud the "voices of reason" in the community that responded to the Islamophobic comments with incredible wisdom and patience.
Here are some excerpts taken from almost 180 comments:
My dear Hasan,
Perhaps I'll attend your meeting Saturday. When I arrive I'll be interested in seeing copies of your groups condemnation of all muslim terrorist attacks, as well as those condemning Hamas, Hezballah, and al Qiada, and your statement recognizing the right of Israel to exist.
You do have such public declarations, don't you? Or are you simply a lot of hot air like the rest of the closet islamo-fascist organizations in this country, like CAIR?
Until you publicly declare your allegiance to US, you are the enemy.
But again, it is the bad apples that get all the attention. Here too, if Hasan Hakeem and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community made a call to Jihad it too would be front page news- but their attempt to reach out to the community is stuck in the Letters section.
My feeling is that it is bridges- not walls- that will get us over troubled water and from one place to the next. I wish I could make it Saturday- if for no other reason than to say thanks.
Hakuna Matata & Namaste!
I agree that there are radicals out there in all walks, but we need to see that our media is conditioned to only tell us what is wrong- and not what is right. Over time this can lead us to an almost McCarthyism like state that we see here in several posters.
If the Queen of Jordan suggested Jihad, it would be front page news- But her months and months of work to breakdown stereotypes barely gets her a youTube award.
posted by Veteran American on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:08 AM
I'll listen when they step forward and take back their religion from the radicals. Until then you are the enemy
posted by Lou Skolnick on Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:01 AM
Hasan Hakeem, President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: Muslim voices who say Islam means peace have been drowned out a long time ago by radical clerics who support jihad and promote hatred in the name of Islam.
Lou: Apparently, Hasan does not know "salaam" means peace -- Islam means submission.
Since Hasan has his words confused, perhaps he misunderstand what those "radical clerics who support jihad" are saying. Perhaps, those "radical clerics who support jihad" merely want you to submit to Allah's will and obey Sharia in the way Allah demands.
posted by Donnieyo on Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:02 AM
Hasan, if you want peace, then YOU as a moderate Muslim must fight for justice. Denounce unequivocally the violent acts of the extremists of your religion. Then you will end Islamophobia and win respect.
I think I'd rather take Arabic lessons from a guy named Hakeem than a guy named Skolnick. But Lou's mileage differs, as always.
posted by Evie2 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:37 AM
It's interesting how our president, with his willing accomplices in the press, allow Muslims to characterize America as having a damaged image around the world while Islamo-cavemen blow up women and children, terrorize the seas and plot the destruction of the modern world.
Gimme a break! If anything we should be acting more aggressively to exterminate the blight of Islam on the world.
posted by CCL on Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:57 AM
Just because some Muslims are terrorists doesn't mean they all are. We have Christian terrorists also who think nothing of battering Gays because of the Bible.
Also ever heard of the Ku Klux Klan - they still exist you know and believe the Bible is their guide.
The Southern Poverty Law Center also tracks other American terrorists in this country and there are many of them - mostly nazi-like militia groups.
No doubt there are plenty of bad guys out there. The level of violence and associated deaths put forth by Islamic extremists every single day throughout the world is, however, unmatched.
Although there is no denying the existence of non-Muslim terrorist groups, there is also no denying the Muslim terrorists are the most active and have by far perpetrated the most death.
posted by sluggo on Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:48 PM
Mike the Fledgling Lawyer asked "Who said: Not all Muslims are terrorists, but almost all terrorists are Muslim."
Don't know, but whoever it was is an idiot.
posted by Victoria77 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:10 PM
HASAN: I would like to know your view on Jerusalem being the rightful capital of the Israelites.
The fact that Arabs and Jews are half-brothers stemming from Abraham, the hatred could not be more clear. You view Ishmael as Abraham's eldest son, whereas Jews and Christians view Isaac as Abraham's true heir.
As it says in Genesis 16:12 of Ishmael, although his lineage will be blessed and the people multipled exceedingly, it specifically says this:
He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."
It amazes me that the above Biblical verse could not have been more prophetic and how Muslims kill their own without any remorse.
The Quran teaches that if you do not convert to Islam no matter what your religious beliefs, or no religious belief at all, you need to be killed. This is more pervasive today than ever before.
Having people come and talk about so-called "peace" is a smoke screen. Once Arabs stop viewing Israel as a rotting corpse and hate the United States for unwavering support of Israel, things can never be solved.
posted by Poindexter on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:32 PM
posted by Victoria77 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:10 PM
The Quran teaches that if you do not convert to Islam no matter what your religious beliefs, or no religious belief at all, you need to be killed.
===
So you're a scholar of the Qur'an now? Could you please quote chapter and verse... Excuse me, could you please cite for me the sura and ayat where this decree from Allah may be found?
posted by Pumbaa on Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:57 PM
Victoria- the vile stuff you think is Islam is not Islam but your Islamaphobia.
Seriously the meeting Hasan Hakeem and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are putting on is ideal for Islamaphobics like you.
posted by Jickles on Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:26 PM
These responses alone prove Islamaphobia is alive and well.
I am curious how many people who posted know any Muslims? And I do not mean see some working at the Amoco station or drive by some while driving down Devon ave. in Rogers Park, but actually know and spend time with them? I am just curious...
posted by LetFreedomRing on Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 PM
"True" Islam cannot co-exist with other religions. They seek to overtake, overwhelm, overrun everyone else. The push others to 'tolerate' them, which really means they use any force necessary to impose their religion, laws, customs, traditions, upon everyone else. Look to the spread of Sharia here in America. The 'true' islamists won't be happy until all our laws are replaced with Islamic Sharia law and our courts are all run by Muslims.
This is a fact.
Now, not ALL muslims feel this way, nor do they feel the need to impose their religion upon a western society.
But it just takes a few vocal ones to do it, combined with the idiotic soclialism and liberals in the western countries, and before you know it, it takes root.
posted by POV on Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:07 AM
posted by paper reader k on Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:47 AM
My dear Hasan,
Perhaps I'll attend your meeting Saturday.
........................
Yes Paperk I encourage you to do so with an OPEN mind. Then come back and report on what you experienced, without bias.
Unfortunatly I have serious doubts you will follow through on your threat to attempt learn something.
posted by Charles60191 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:14 AM
There is not a country on this planet that does not have issues with their Muslim population.
France? Muslim Problems (Riots last year)
Canada? Muslim Problems (Citizens of Toronto are being intimidated by Muslim groups)
Spain? Muslim Problems (Remember the bombings?)
Iraq? Muslim problems (They are ALL Muslims in Iraq and they can't get along)
Any country that has a mix of ANYONE and Muslims has issues with the Muslim population.
Why is that?
Could it be that Muslims get upset when everyone else does not bow to their needs?
Are Muslims militant and violent due to the teachings of their religion?
Are these people just animals and totally incapable of living among other people?
Whatever the case may be, I have yet to see ANY high ranking Muslim cleric speak out against the violence, caused by Muslims, in the name of Islam. NOT A SINGLE HIGH RANKING MUSLIM CLERIC.
The bottom line is that this "Religion" is a sadistic and oppressive cult that has no tolerance to any view point beyond its own teachings. They are completely unable to mix with any society (including their own).
End Islamophobia?
No
End Islamofascism.
posted by TGSantini on Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:47 AM
Hasan's letter sounds a bit like a trolling pervert telling a youg kid to get in his car because he has candy.
No one ever shows the kid the candy and no Islam-o-"insert suffix here" has denounced the terror perpatrated by his fellow religious bretheren.
If you want to be accepted then you have to all play by a common set of rules. In this country those rules are the Constitution.
If they take control of this country then we have no one to blame but ourselves and our liberal politicaly-correct pandering idiocy.
I'm fine for letting people practice their religion as long as it stays their religion and isn't forced on anyone else.
If you want Islam to be accepted in America then you have to publicly denounce the horrible deeds done by your brothers and sister.
CHEERS
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:23 AM
A couple of clarifications: What is Allah?s cause, to harm fellow beings?? His cause is to create peace and harmony amongst all of us not to quarrel and kill one another. The other cause is to worship one true God!
What is Jihad, it is a struggle or to strive to do the better righteous thing. Therefore, each of us has a Jihad, we want to create peace and that is a struggle, it is the right thing to do. Jihad is not a war of machines, ammunitions, etc. We want a better life for our families that is Jihad, we want the right environment and peace for our children.
It is the believer?s task to reflect over the Holy Qur?an and the advice and counsel of the Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said ?Avoid oppression because oppression will manifest itself as darkness on the Day of Judgment. Avoid greed, materialism, and malice as it destroyed the earlier people.?
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) defined ?a destitute person? as that individual amongst us who will present himself on the Day of Judgment with his prayers and his fasting. However, he would have had abused people and take over other?s property and physically harmed others. His virtues (prayers & fasting) will be granted to his victims and he will thus be ?destitute?.
These are just 2 simple examples from Muhammad.
There are individuals who observe worship of God and who give a lot in financial terms, however, they do not recognize other?s rights. Purity is not by virtue of what is apparent; rather it is by virtue of the state of one?s heart. That is what we should concerns ourselves with, look in the mirror and say am I pure in my heart, am I feeding the wrong message to others to create disharmony? It seems like the overwhelming majority are creating disharmony, is this a trap?
Now, will any of you come to this event, will you ask questions, will you meet Muslims? I am an American, I care about my country and yes I am a Muslim, meet me and talk to me, I am as human as you are, I care more about the society than myself. I simply dare you to come
posted by Pumbaa on Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:52 PM
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM
Now, will any of you come to this event, will you ask questions, will you meet Muslims? I am an American, I care about my country and yes I am a Muslim, meet me and talk to me, I am as human as you are, I care more about the society than myself. I simply dare you to come.
---
I wish I could make it but have several other commitments Saturday. I truly respect the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for this outreach and hope that there will be many more.
I wish you much luck with this project and hope it goes well. As you can see from several posters here- Islamophobia is seemingly contagious.
posted by PeaceMaker7 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:13 PM
For those interested in reading about Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's view towards terrorism, there is plenty of literature available at http://www.alislam.org/terrorism.html you are welcome to read it.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Islamophobia: The fear of Islam/Muslims
President Barak Obama told the Muslim world in a speech on Monday the United States was not at war with Islam, using his first international tour to try to repair the United States' damaged image abroad.
Mr. Obama told the Turkish Parliament on Monday that: “America’s relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot and will not just be based upon opposition to terrorism,” he said. “We seek broader engagement based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.”
In his speech he said: “The United States has been enriched by Muslim-Americans,” he said. “Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country. “I know,” he said, “because I am one of them.”
The line was a bold one for Mr. Obama, who has been falsely described as a Muslim. The claim persists on some right-wing Web sites, which may try to interpret his remarks as proof of that view.
Consider this view from the American Daily Review - News, politics and conservative commentary without compromise, in response to Obama’s Turkey speech: “Radical Islam’s desire, whether or not the Left, President Obama, or the touchy-feely crowd are willing to admit it, is to conquer the world. Their goals are to eliminate Israel, kill every Jew walking the Earth, and to bring down the West, transforming the Great Satan into Islamic Nations operating under the thumb of Sharia Law. Radical Islam will not ever be at peace with non-Muslim nations not to mention Muslims who do not share a belief in Sharia Law.”
In Lake County, as is the case throughout the nation, the conservative view and mistrust of Islam prevails for two reasons. The first is simply an inherent fear which can be described as “Islamophobia.”
The second is that American Muslims have failed to change irrational perceptions of Islam. Muslim voices who say “Islam means peace” have been drowned out a long time ago by radical clerics who support jihad and promote hatred in the name of Islam. The time has come for reasonable, peace-loving Muslims to step forward. And it's time for the rest of us to listen to them.
Muslims have migrated to America in an almost stealthlike manner, building mosques, praying in airports and demanding religious freedom that most Christians could never enjoy in their respective countries. And many have slipped into the America in flagrant violation of its immigration laws to pursue a better life while at the same time watching nightly news of mullahs, sheiks screaming for blood in the name of Islam.
According to the Holy Qur’an, such actions create disorder and injustice which is considered in Islam to be worse than murder. “Those who love that immorality should spread among the believers, will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, and you know not.” (24:20)
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released this month points out that Americans think President Obama's outreach to the Muslim world is an important goal, but nearly half hold negative views about Islam and a "sizable" number believe that even "mainstream" members of Islam encourage violence against people of other religions.
And while a majority of those polled think that Islam is a peaceful religion, a substantial minority—nearly 3 in 10—said they see mainstream Islam as advocating violence against non-Muslims. About half, 48 percent, said they have an unfavorable view of Islam—the highest in polls since late 2001, in the weeks following the September 11 attacks.
The data also show that a majority of those polled said they do not have a basic understanding of the Muslim faith, nor do they know anyone who is Muslim.
As the president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, we have continued to advocate and encourage interfaith dialogue, and diligently defends Islam and tries to correct isunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths.
Our motto simply states: Love For All. Hatred For None. So, let’s get together and meet Muslims who will explain basic teachings and the philosophy of Islam in a spirit of American goodfellowship.
We are holding a public meeting on “Islamophobia – Everything You Wanted to Know About Islam, But You Were Afraid to Ask,” Saturday April 18th at the Park Place Senior Center, 412 Lewis Ave., Waukegan, from 3 to 5 PM. The public is invited to attend this free event.
We have invited the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Hate Task Force to make a presentation on hate crimes. In addition, Zahir M. Ahmad, a national board member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will speak on Islam and the beliefs of Muslims.
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