In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
What a welcome development! The Islamic Society of North America, the largest American Muslim umbrella group, has elected its first female president, Dr. Ingrid Mattson. I know Dr. Mattson personally, and she is an excellent choice. It is about time our sisters took their rightful spot in the leadership of our community.
"I want to make sure women are fully engaged," Dr. Mattson told the Chicago Tribune on August 29. Assad Busool, professor at the American Islamic College in Chicago, also told the Tribune, "There's nothing in Islam to ban women from leadership positions."
Here here! I agree wholeheartedly. Dr. Mattson, for those of you not familiar with her, was born into a Canadian Catholic family. She converted to Islam in 1987 and moved to Pakistan to work with Afghan refugees, where she met her husband. She then moved to Chicago and studied Islamic law and legal theory. She is currently a professor of Islamic studies and Christian-Muslim relations at the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut.
I have consulted her on religious affairs, and I must tell you that she is very knowledgeable. I deeply admire and respect her, and I am very happy she was selected to lead the largest American Muslim organization. It's about time.
Which brings up an important question in my mind: would this have happened in any other country in the world? My guess is probably not. Which is one of the great things about being Muslim in America: you can live and practice Islam without the ugly cultural baggage of many of the Muslim countries from which our parents and grandparents hailed.
Unfortunately, many women in the Muslim world are terribly oppressed. They are denied many basic rights, and in some countries where "Islamic law" is implemented, women are frequently unfairly targeted. Contrary to the contention of many in America, this occurs despite - not because of - Islam. Here in America, however, we Muslims are able to practice Islam as it should be practiced - and elect a woman to lead the Islamic Society of North America.
Yet, all is not dark and gloomy in the Muslim world when it comes to women and leadership. In the recently held Kuwaiti elections, women were allowed to run and vote for the first time. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, elected its first female president - Megawati Sukarnoputri - in 2001. Before that, Pakistan also elected a female prime minister, Benzir Bhutto, in 1988 and again in 1993. We in the United States have yet to elect a female president, and we are a much older country than either Indonesia or Pakistan.
Come to mention it, Iraq has a higher proportion of females in parliament than does the United States! In fact, the United States ranks 67th in the world in terms of the proportion of women in national parliaments, according to the Inter-parliamentary Union. We are behind several Muslim countries, such as Iraq, Tunisia, Senegal, Guyana, Bosnia, and even Pakistan! In fact, we have less women in parliament than both Cuba and China!
Once again, it is a great day that American Muslims have elected a woman to lead its largest umbrella organization. It is testimony to both the greatness of America and the maturity of the American Muslim community. It is also testimony to the beauty of the religion of Islam, especially when it is allowed to flourish unstained with the cultural shames of the past. I hope I get to congratulate her personally when I attend ISNA's annual convention to be held in Chicago this weekend.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Conservative radio talk show host Michael Medved (yes, I do listen to conservative talk radio from time to time) recently had a Muslim guest on his show. I applaud him for doing so. Mr. Medved asked the guest, a Muslim from Seattle, what positive contributions Muslims have made to the world in 2006, not 1006 A.D.
I had to leave my car before I could hear the Muslim's answer, but I thought that was a great question. And you know what the worst part of that question was? I had to stop and think about it. Lately, the only thing "Muslim" that comes up in the news has to do with terrorism and violence. Yet, is there anything positive that Muslims do? Do Muslims positively contribute to this society and the general world at large? Can Muslims do anything constructive?
The answer is absolutely. Yet, unfortunately, those positive aspects about the Muslim community are downplayed by the media. Yet, I am not scapegoating the media at all. I recently spoke at the Society of Professional Journalists conference here in Chicago. I was blessed to be on a panel about coverage of Muslim and Arab issues. It was very well attended, and there was a genuine interest on the part of reporters and editors to do a better job when it came to reporting on things Muslim and Islamic. That interest was palpable. I don't believe there is a vast media conspiracy against Islam.
Yet, still, nice human interest stories about Islam and Muslims rarely make the front page. So, I am starting a series on God, Faith, and a Pen highlighting the positive things ordinary Muslims do each and every day. I think it will be beneficial to all.
The first item will be this story about a Norte Dame football player, Ryan Harris. It was originally published in the August 24 edition of the Chicago Sun Times:
Harris wants to put new face on Muslim faith
Harris doesn't doubt his faith, doesn't question its motives. But there are times he wonders if he can adhere to Islamic rituals based on his already hectic schedule. Giving up isn't an option. ''It really gives me a sense of dedication and passion,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm extremely dedicated and extremely responsible with my duties on the football field. That comes directly from my faith and how I see what I need to be and the type of person I need to be.''
Harris' faith presents a challenge every fall, and this year is no different. Ramadan -- the month of blessing for Muslims -- begins Sept. 24. During the monthlong observance, Muslims spend time fasting, refraining from food or drink until after dark. For Harris, an All-America candidate at left tackle, fasting is virtually impossible. The Irish will be four games into the schedule once Ramadan begins -- not the ideal time for him to lose weight or nourishment.
''Fasting is obviously the full extent and the intention of the holiday, but I would not survive if I fasted,'' said Harris, listed at 6-5, 285. ''I thought about fasting. On our days off, I usually do fast. But it is extremely, extremely hard. ''And that's one of the things I appreciate about Islam: It's a very, very individual religion in a sense that there are other avenues to celebrate the holiday.''
Instead, Harris will read the Koran -- the sacred book of Islam -- more often. He'll make certain to pray five times a day, another ritual. He'll spend time meeting with other Muslims at the Islamic Society of Michiana, located in the South Bend area. Harris visits the mosque on Fridays, the Muslim Sabbath Day.
He's not treated like a celebrity, although some realize he plays for the Irish. He'll spend 45 minutes in the mosque, praying and listening to Arabic readings. Just a couple of weeks ago at the mosque, Harris taught football to some of the Muslim children. ''Some kids were like, 'Awesome,' and others thought we were going to play soccer,'' Harris said. ''It was great to contribute. Anything that someone can gain from me means a lot.''
Harris' teammates have gained more of an appreciation for his religious beliefs. Wide receiver Rhema McKnight and tight end Marcus Freeman attended a Koran study with Harris. Quarterback Brady Quinn said he would have fasted late at night with Harris had the lineman decided to fast during the daylight hours this season. ''I have so much respect for Ryan, to be that devoted to something, especially during the season,'' Quinn said. ''I don't know if I can do it. Even Lent is tough for me.''
Harris' goal isn't to convert his teammates. It's to educate others about Muslims and Islam. ''The common question is, 'Do you guys believe in God?' It's like, 'Of course, yes, we do.' It's understandable because Islam is not a predominant religion in this country. Over time, it will become known.''
Conservative radio talk show host Michael Medved (yes, I do listen to conservative talk radio from time to time) recently had a Muslim guest on his show. I applaud him for doing so. Mr. Medved asked the guest, a Muslim from Seattle, what positive contributions Muslims have made to the world in 2006, not 1006 A.D.
I had to leave my car before I could hear the Muslim's answer, but I thought that was a great question. And you know what the worst part of that question was? I had to stop and think about it. Lately, the only thing "Muslim" that comes up in the news has to do with terrorism and violence. Yet, is there anything positive that Muslims do? Do Muslims positively contribute to this society and the general world at large? Can Muslims do anything constructive?
The answer is absolutely. Yet, unfortunately, those positive aspects about the Muslim community are downplayed by the media. Yet, I am not scapegoating the media at all. I recently spoke at the Society of Professional Journalists conference here in Chicago. I was blessed to be on a panel about coverage of Muslim and Arab issues. It was very well attended, and there was a genuine interest on the part of reporters and editors to do a better job when it came to reporting on things Muslim and Islamic. That interest was palpable. I don't believe there is a vast media conspiracy against Islam.
Yet, still, nice human interest stories about Islam and Muslims rarely make the front page. So, I am starting a series on God, Faith, and a Pen highlighting the positive things ordinary Muslims do each and every day. I think it will be beneficial to all.
The first item will be this story about a Norte Dame football player, Ryan Harris. It was originally published in the August 24 edition of the Chicago Sun Times:
Harris wants to put new face on Muslim faith
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It irks Ryan Harris that people associate Muslims with 9/11 and terrorism. The Notre Dame offensive lineman has heard the negative chatter for years, read it on the Internet, listened to it on television. It only makes him more adamant about showing that Muslims -- such as himself -- are peaceful.
''The religion is a religion of tolerance and knowledge and peace,'' said Harris, who converted to Islam two years ago. ''And those are the foundations of the faith -- not the things that we see on CNN day in and day out. ''Not every Muslim is a terrorist.''Harris doesn't doubt his faith, doesn't question its motives. But there are times he wonders if he can adhere to Islamic rituals based on his already hectic schedule. Giving up isn't an option. ''It really gives me a sense of dedication and passion,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm extremely dedicated and extremely responsible with my duties on the football field. That comes directly from my faith and how I see what I need to be and the type of person I need to be.''
Harris' faith presents a challenge every fall, and this year is no different. Ramadan -- the month of blessing for Muslims -- begins Sept. 24. During the monthlong observance, Muslims spend time fasting, refraining from food or drink until after dark. For Harris, an All-America candidate at left tackle, fasting is virtually impossible. The Irish will be four games into the schedule once Ramadan begins -- not the ideal time for him to lose weight or nourishment.
''Fasting is obviously the full extent and the intention of the holiday, but I would not survive if I fasted,'' said Harris, listed at 6-5, 285. ''I thought about fasting. On our days off, I usually do fast. But it is extremely, extremely hard. ''And that's one of the things I appreciate about Islam: It's a very, very individual religion in a sense that there are other avenues to celebrate the holiday.''
Instead, Harris will read the Koran -- the sacred book of Islam -- more often. He'll make certain to pray five times a day, another ritual. He'll spend time meeting with other Muslims at the Islamic Society of Michiana, located in the South Bend area. Harris visits the mosque on Fridays, the Muslim Sabbath Day.
He's not treated like a celebrity, although some realize he plays for the Irish. He'll spend 45 minutes in the mosque, praying and listening to Arabic readings. Just a couple of weeks ago at the mosque, Harris taught football to some of the Muslim children. ''Some kids were like, 'Awesome,' and others thought we were going to play soccer,'' Harris said. ''It was great to contribute. Anything that someone can gain from me means a lot.''
Harris' teammates have gained more of an appreciation for his religious beliefs. Wide receiver Rhema McKnight and tight end Marcus Freeman attended a Koran study with Harris. Quarterback Brady Quinn said he would have fasted late at night with Harris had the lineman decided to fast during the daylight hours this season. ''I have so much respect for Ryan, to be that devoted to something, especially during the season,'' Quinn said. ''I don't know if I can do it. Even Lent is tough for me.''
Harris' goal isn't to convert his teammates. It's to educate others about Muslims and Islam. ''The common question is, 'Do you guys believe in God?' It's like, 'Of course, yes, we do.' It's understandable because Islam is not a predominant religion in this country. Over time, it will become known.''
Copyright (c) 2006 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Monday, August 21, 2006
"We Are At War"
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
In the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker expressed his displeasure at being asked to spy on the Chancellor. Such an act was against the Jedi Code. In response, Obi Wan Kenobi retorted: "We are at war, Anakin." Yet, that fact was irrelevant. A similar situation occurred with me.
I mentioned to someone that it was wrong for Hezbollah to fire rockets on civilian targets. I was told, "It's a war." That fact is irrelevant, also. "What do you expect them to do?" I am asked. Not shoot rockets at non-combatants, that's what. And for Hasan Nasrallah to tell the Arabs of Haifa to leave so as not to be killed added insult to injury. What about the Jews of Haifa? Are they not human beings, too?
The same goes with the Israel Defense Forces. Although Human Rights Watch has "collected evidence that Hezbollah has stored weapons in or near civilian homes and that fighters placed rocket launchers within populated areas or near U.N. observers," which are serious violations of international humanitarian law, "those cases do not justify the IDF's extensive use of indiscriminate force in other situations where civilians were killed and there was no evidence of a Hezbollah presence at the time of the Israeli attack."
During this latest conflict, innocent human beings - Arabs and Israelis - were needlessly killed. Both sides killed civilians on the other side, albeit one side inflicted far more damage than the other. Innocent blood was mercilessly shed, and that is why I am very happy the guns, bombs, and rockets have stopped (mostly). May they never start again in the Holy Land. May peace - so elusive for so long - finally come to this terribly troubled region. Amen, O Lord, Amen.
Yet, the point remains: "we are at war" is never a legitimate excuse for committing injustice. Yes, the terrorist enemy we face is brutal. Yes, the terrorist enemy we face has no regard for human life. Yes, the terrorist enemy seems to outdo itself in committing ever more vicious attacks on innocent human beings. Yes, we are at war with them. But that never gives us the license to rape, maim, and murder. This applies just as much to U.S. soldiers fighting the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world.
But, it also equally applies to Muslims all across our world. There is much injustice in our world, and Muslims face much of that injustice. From oppression by corrupt and illegitimate governments (many supported and propped up by the United States), to living under military occupation, to dying from starvation and disease, there are many Muslims who suffer tremendously throughout the world.
Yet, that terrible fact never justifies murder of the innocent under the guise of "being at war." It never justifies committing mass murder - whether it be on airlines, or passenger trains, or Shi'i mosques. Furthermore, it can never be committed in the name of God. Yes, one can use scripture to lend credibility, but it is never legitimate. Never let the hatred of a people towards you move you to commit injustice.
If we stoop to the level of those who wish us harm - and the "we" here can mean Americans or Muslims - then we are no different; we are just a tribe among tribes. Yet, we are different. We have to always maintain the high moral road. And if we do thus, then know that the Lord God will come to our aid.
In the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker expressed his displeasure at being asked to spy on the Chancellor. Such an act was against the Jedi Code. In response, Obi Wan Kenobi retorted: "We are at war, Anakin." Yet, that fact was irrelevant. A similar situation occurred with me.
I mentioned to someone that it was wrong for Hezbollah to fire rockets on civilian targets. I was told, "It's a war." That fact is irrelevant, also. "What do you expect them to do?" I am asked. Not shoot rockets at non-combatants, that's what. And for Hasan Nasrallah to tell the Arabs of Haifa to leave so as not to be killed added insult to injury. What about the Jews of Haifa? Are they not human beings, too?
The same goes with the Israel Defense Forces. Although Human Rights Watch has "collected evidence that Hezbollah has stored weapons in or near civilian homes and that fighters placed rocket launchers within populated areas or near U.N. observers," which are serious violations of international humanitarian law, "those cases do not justify the IDF's extensive use of indiscriminate force in other situations where civilians were killed and there was no evidence of a Hezbollah presence at the time of the Israeli attack."
During this latest conflict, innocent human beings - Arabs and Israelis - were needlessly killed. Both sides killed civilians on the other side, albeit one side inflicted far more damage than the other. Innocent blood was mercilessly shed, and that is why I am very happy the guns, bombs, and rockets have stopped (mostly). May they never start again in the Holy Land. May peace - so elusive for so long - finally come to this terribly troubled region. Amen, O Lord, Amen.
Yet, the point remains: "we are at war" is never a legitimate excuse for committing injustice. Yes, the terrorist enemy we face is brutal. Yes, the terrorist enemy we face has no regard for human life. Yes, the terrorist enemy seems to outdo itself in committing ever more vicious attacks on innocent human beings. Yes, we are at war with them. But that never gives us the license to rape, maim, and murder. This applies just as much to U.S. soldiers fighting the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world.
But, it also equally applies to Muslims all across our world. There is much injustice in our world, and Muslims face much of that injustice. From oppression by corrupt and illegitimate governments (many supported and propped up by the United States), to living under military occupation, to dying from starvation and disease, there are many Muslims who suffer tremendously throughout the world.
Yet, that terrible fact never justifies murder of the innocent under the guise of "being at war." It never justifies committing mass murder - whether it be on airlines, or passenger trains, or Shi'i mosques. Furthermore, it can never be committed in the name of God. Yes, one can use scripture to lend credibility, but it is never legitimate. Never let the hatred of a people towards you move you to commit injustice.
If we stoop to the level of those who wish us harm - and the "we" here can mean Americans or Muslims - then we are no different; we are just a tribe among tribes. Yet, we are different. We have to always maintain the high moral road. And if we do thus, then know that the Lord God will come to our aid.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thank The Precious Lord They Were Caught
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
All Praise and Thanks is due to the Lord God Almighty that these alleged terrorists were caught. In a raid conducted yesterday, British authorities arrested 24 suspects who allegedly planned on boarding planes bound to the United States and explode them in mid-air. I am extremely happy this attack was thwarted. All Praise is due to God.
Unfortunately, those who have been identified are Muslims. This comes as no surprise to most people (and I am sure it is one more argument for those who believe all of Islam is "evil"), but still, it disturbs and angers me. I am not surprised, either, but still, I don't like it. That's why I am so thankful to the Lord - and to British authorities - that these alleged terrorists were caught before they could carry out their diabolical plan.
If what is alleged against them is true, all I can say is "God is enough for me, and He is the best of those who handle affairs." These agents of Satan thought they could commit mass murder in a twisted effort to "defend Islam." Yet, the Hand of the Lord is longer and more powerful. If what is alleged against them is true, these partisans of Satan thought they were performing "jihad." They were doing nothing of the sort. They were planning to commit murder, and I am thankful to the Precious Lord that they were caught.
There are, however, some important points regarding this story that must be pointed out. This whole investigation started with an anonymous tip, and that tip came from a concerned member of the Muslim community in Britain. Would you look at that! A Muslim, helping to fight terror! In fact, we Muslims have been fighting the good fight for a long time.
In addition, the Pakistani intelligence services - which do not have a great track record fighting terror - were also instrumental in the foiling of this alleged plot. Wow! They are Muslims, too! That is very important to understand.
Yet, there are other things that must be said as well. We still do not know the motivations of these 24 suspects (one of which is a woman with a child...eek!). They are still innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing, and we must all wait the for the facts. Just as we wait for the facts to come in with the investigation of American soldiers accused of rape and murder in Iraq, let us also wait until the facts come in with this incident.
For the sake of argument, however, let us assume these guys were trying to conduct a "jihad" against the West (stupid idiots!). How can the entire faith of Islam be blamed? Yes, they take inspiration from a twisted interpretation of Islam, but how can all Muslims be tarred with their stain?
Every day, I get barraged with vicious hatred against me and my faith by people who do not even know me. And to prove their point that Islam is evil, they scour the internet to find an article chronicaling the various crimes committed by Muslims in different parts of the Muslim world (or America, even). Yet, this is unfair.
If someone were to do a Lexis-Nexis search every day about the crimes committed by Americans in the various towns and cities of our country and then say, "Americans are nothing but murderers, rapists, thieves, and charlatans," would this be fair? Is this an accurate portrayal of what America truly is? Is America defined by the sins of a minority of her people?
Absolutely not.
Whenever one of our soldiers commits a crime while in Iraq, such as rape, does this define the totality of our Armed Forces? Is it fair for someone to then conclude: "Americans are nothing but murderous rapists"?
Absolutely not.
Why not? Because I am American and know the truth about America. I know the goodness of our people: I live it every single day. We are not like the criminals amongst us, be they military or civilian.
The same goes for the Muslim community. It is not like the criminals amongst it. These terrorists that act in Islam's name are nothing but criminals, plain and simple. They are criminals precisely because they choose to abandon the rule of law for their own agenda. They can use whatever sacred text to justify their actions. The fact, however, remains the same: they are criminals, and their actions should not tar the majority from whence they came.
Another thing: precisely because they are criminals, they plan their crimes in secret. Thus, unless we can read their minds, we can never know when these criminals plan to commit their crimes. I mean, it is an unpleasant fact that there is an abundant amount of crime committed in our country today. Part of the reason for this is that we are not able to predict when a criminal is about to strike. If we had such an ability, we would be able to eradicate crime forever (just like in the movies). Yet, is the American public complicit in the crimes of its criminals? Of course not.
How, then, can the Muslim community be accused of complicity in the crimes of terrorists who hide among it? It should not be, plain and simple. I wish more people would understand that.
All Praise and Thanks is due to the Lord God Almighty that these alleged terrorists were caught. In a raid conducted yesterday, British authorities arrested 24 suspects who allegedly planned on boarding planes bound to the United States and explode them in mid-air. I am extremely happy this attack was thwarted. All Praise is due to God.
Unfortunately, those who have been identified are Muslims. This comes as no surprise to most people (and I am sure it is one more argument for those who believe all of Islam is "evil"), but still, it disturbs and angers me. I am not surprised, either, but still, I don't like it. That's why I am so thankful to the Lord - and to British authorities - that these alleged terrorists were caught before they could carry out their diabolical plan.
If what is alleged against them is true, all I can say is "God is enough for me, and He is the best of those who handle affairs." These agents of Satan thought they could commit mass murder in a twisted effort to "defend Islam." Yet, the Hand of the Lord is longer and more powerful. If what is alleged against them is true, these partisans of Satan thought they were performing "jihad." They were doing nothing of the sort. They were planning to commit murder, and I am thankful to the Precious Lord that they were caught.
There are, however, some important points regarding this story that must be pointed out. This whole investigation started with an anonymous tip, and that tip came from a concerned member of the Muslim community in Britain. Would you look at that! A Muslim, helping to fight terror! In fact, we Muslims have been fighting the good fight for a long time.
In addition, the Pakistani intelligence services - which do not have a great track record fighting terror - were also instrumental in the foiling of this alleged plot. Wow! They are Muslims, too! That is very important to understand.
Yet, there are other things that must be said as well. We still do not know the motivations of these 24 suspects (one of which is a woman with a child...eek!). They are still innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing, and we must all wait the for the facts. Just as we wait for the facts to come in with the investigation of American soldiers accused of rape and murder in Iraq, let us also wait until the facts come in with this incident.
For the sake of argument, however, let us assume these guys were trying to conduct a "jihad" against the West (stupid idiots!). How can the entire faith of Islam be blamed? Yes, they take inspiration from a twisted interpretation of Islam, but how can all Muslims be tarred with their stain?
Every day, I get barraged with vicious hatred against me and my faith by people who do not even know me. And to prove their point that Islam is evil, they scour the internet to find an article chronicaling the various crimes committed by Muslims in different parts of the Muslim world (or America, even). Yet, this is unfair.
If someone were to do a Lexis-Nexis search every day about the crimes committed by Americans in the various towns and cities of our country and then say, "Americans are nothing but murderers, rapists, thieves, and charlatans," would this be fair? Is this an accurate portrayal of what America truly is? Is America defined by the sins of a minority of her people?
Absolutely not.
Whenever one of our soldiers commits a crime while in Iraq, such as rape, does this define the totality of our Armed Forces? Is it fair for someone to then conclude: "Americans are nothing but murderous rapists"?
Absolutely not.
Why not? Because I am American and know the truth about America. I know the goodness of our people: I live it every single day. We are not like the criminals amongst us, be they military or civilian.
The same goes for the Muslim community. It is not like the criminals amongst it. These terrorists that act in Islam's name are nothing but criminals, plain and simple. They are criminals precisely because they choose to abandon the rule of law for their own agenda. They can use whatever sacred text to justify their actions. The fact, however, remains the same: they are criminals, and their actions should not tar the majority from whence they came.
Another thing: precisely because they are criminals, they plan their crimes in secret. Thus, unless we can read their minds, we can never know when these criminals plan to commit their crimes. I mean, it is an unpleasant fact that there is an abundant amount of crime committed in our country today. Part of the reason for this is that we are not able to predict when a criminal is about to strike. If we had such an ability, we would be able to eradicate crime forever (just like in the movies). Yet, is the American public complicit in the crimes of its criminals? Of course not.
How, then, can the Muslim community be accused of complicity in the crimes of terrorists who hide among it? It should not be, plain and simple. I wish more people would understand that.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Christian Terrorist?
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
It goes without saying that those who seek to smear Islam and Muslims point to the recent heinous murder of Jewish-American sisters in Seattle as just another example of the "Jihad coming to America." Indeed, Naveed Haq did proclaim that he was an "American Muslim" before he started shooting up the Jewish Federation office, a crime which I condemned unequivocally.
Ever since that time, the Muslim community in Seattle has reached out to the Jewish community in peace, to stand in solidarity against this act of barbarity. I commend such actions, and I am there with them in spirit.
Yet, something interesting was reported in the media, and I thought it was important to share with everyone else. It turns out that Naveed Haq was baptized as a Christian last year. According to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Haq was frustrated at his lack of friends and female companionship. He told friends he felt alienated from his own family, in part because his career had disappointed his father and also because he had disavowed Islam last year, converting to Christianity.
Yet, there are other possible iterations of this interesting fact about the shooter. Did Haq shout out he was a Muslim so that he could make Islam look bad? Did he want to call himself a Muslim to make life more difficult for Muslims in America? Was he hoping for a retaliatory attack on a mosque in Seattle?
We may never know his true motivations, although the P-I article does go into pretty good depth about what he was going through before his shooting rampage. One thing the article did not say was that Haq was afraid for his life after converting to Islam. Most definitely, he had a lot of stress inside because he knew that his leaving Islam would offend his family. But, he never told anyone - according to the article - that he was afraid for his life. (Just in case someone was going to bring up the whole "kill the apostate issue")
Yet, I still have one question: doesn't this make Naveed Haq a "Christian terrorist"? I mean, his group leader at the Word of Faith Church in Kennewick, WA told the P-I that Mr. Haq had "accepted his new faith, though he knew that he would also be offending his own family and its deeply rooted culture." There was no mention that he came back to Islam. So, why hasn't anyone called Naveed Haq a "Christian terrorist"?
Because it's inappropriate, that's why.
What about the pro-Israel driver in Michigan, who tried to run over an Arab-American protester? Susan Bazzi, a Lebanese-American, stood across the street from a pro-Israel rally being held at a Michigan synagogue. She held up two posters showing children killed by Israeli bombing. According to the Arab American News:
Now, I presume this person was Jewish, but I cannot say so for certain. If he was Jewish, however, would it be fair for me to call him a "Jewish terrorist"? I mean, isn't this very similar to the actions of Mohammed Reva Taheri-Azar, the man who rented an SUV and drove it into a crowd of students at the University of North Carolina, injuring several of them? Everyone called him a "Muslim terrorist." Why can't I call this man a "Christian" or "Jewish" terrorist?
Because it is inappropriate, that's why. Terrorism transcends ethnicity, epoch, and religious faith. Terrorists come in all flavors, and I condemn them all.
It goes without saying that those who seek to smear Islam and Muslims point to the recent heinous murder of Jewish-American sisters in Seattle as just another example of the "Jihad coming to America." Indeed, Naveed Haq did proclaim that he was an "American Muslim" before he started shooting up the Jewish Federation office, a crime which I condemned unequivocally.
Ever since that time, the Muslim community in Seattle has reached out to the Jewish community in peace, to stand in solidarity against this act of barbarity. I commend such actions, and I am there with them in spirit.
Yet, something interesting was reported in the media, and I thought it was important to share with everyone else. It turns out that Naveed Haq was baptized as a Christian last year. According to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Haq was frustrated at his lack of friends and female companionship. He told friends he felt alienated from his own family, in part because his career had disappointed his father and also because he had disavowed Islam last year, converting to Christianity.
Haq had begun studying the Bible, attending weekly men's spiritual group meetings, only to stop coming a few months after his baptism.
He had told the group's leader that he seen too much anger in Islam and that he wanted to find a new beginning in Christianity. [emphasis added]
Yet, he declared himself to be an "angry Muslim" when he went on his shooting rampage. What does this mean? Is this further evidence that he was truly a disturbed individual and not a jihadist foot-soldier? (that's my guess)Yet, there are other possible iterations of this interesting fact about the shooter. Did Haq shout out he was a Muslim so that he could make Islam look bad? Did he want to call himself a Muslim to make life more difficult for Muslims in America? Was he hoping for a retaliatory attack on a mosque in Seattle?
We may never know his true motivations, although the P-I article does go into pretty good depth about what he was going through before his shooting rampage. One thing the article did not say was that Haq was afraid for his life after converting to Islam. Most definitely, he had a lot of stress inside because he knew that his leaving Islam would offend his family. But, he never told anyone - according to the article - that he was afraid for his life. (Just in case someone was going to bring up the whole "kill the apostate issue")
Yet, I still have one question: doesn't this make Naveed Haq a "Christian terrorist"? I mean, his group leader at the Word of Faith Church in Kennewick, WA told the P-I that Mr. Haq had "accepted his new faith, though he knew that he would also be offending his own family and its deeply rooted culture." There was no mention that he came back to Islam. So, why hasn't anyone called Naveed Haq a "Christian terrorist"?
Because it's inappropriate, that's why.
What about the pro-Israel driver in Michigan, who tried to run over an Arab-American protester? Susan Bazzi, a Lebanese-American, stood across the street from a pro-Israel rally being held at a Michigan synagogue. She held up two posters showing children killed by Israeli bombing. According to the Arab American News:
But little did Bazzi know that even the police presence couldn't stop a crazed pro-Israeli attendee from trying to run her over with his car.
"I was across the street standing on the corner of an entrance to the parking area." Bazzi said.
"There was a car pulling out that was supposed to turn left and instead he turned into me. He made a very wide turn, literally right into me. I jumped back. He was going to hit me for sure if I didn't," she recalled.
Bazzi said that she hadn't been paying attention to the driver, but when he came at her full throttle, she saw him out of the corner of her eye. "I didn't think, I just jumped out of the way," she said.
According to Bazzi, the police immediately gave chase. The driver tried to get away but the cops sprinted after him, banged on his windows and made him stop after only traveling 30 feet...
"The Arab American News" spoke to another protestor on the scene who said he didn't want his name mentioned for fear of jeopardizing his job. However, his account of what happened matched up with Bazzi's.
Now, I presume this person was Jewish, but I cannot say so for certain. If he was Jewish, however, would it be fair for me to call him a "Jewish terrorist"? I mean, isn't this very similar to the actions of Mohammed Reva Taheri-Azar, the man who rented an SUV and drove it into a crowd of students at the University of North Carolina, injuring several of them? Everyone called him a "Muslim terrorist." Why can't I call this man a "Christian" or "Jewish" terrorist?
Because it is inappropriate, that's why. Terrorism transcends ethnicity, epoch, and religious faith. Terrorists come in all flavors, and I condemn them all.
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