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Daily Press – July 9, 2004 To be a Muslim in America By Ajmal Sobhan These are worrisome times for Muslims in America. Worse off are the Arab Muslims, but just being Muslin or having a Muslim name poses problems, which are at times distressing and at other times hilarious. In the post-Sept. 11, 2001, era, with the war on terrorism in progress, you are reminded every day of how things have changed. Whenever Attorney General John Ashcroft calls a press conference, you wonder what he and his team have discovered now. The vigilant law enforcement authorities are on the lookout for errant Muslims bent on creating havoc in the country. And how can you blame them? At this point in history, there appears to be no plurality among terrorists. There are no Hindu terrorists or Jewish terrorists or Buddhist terrorists bent on bringing the West to its knees. There are only Muslim terrorists. Whether they are the Abu Saif in the Philippines, the Hamas in Palestine, or the al-Qaida, worldwide they all claim to be Muslims. Now in order to be politically correct, you have to use the right phraseology: fanatic Muslim or radical Islamist. But whatever you may call them, they are all Muslims. In the pre-Sept. 11 era, it would be amazing to read an article in the newspaper that described Islam as a violent religion and its prophet described as a violent person. But now it is commonplace to read such articles. Before, people both Muslims and non-Muslims would protest when such assertions were made in the print media, as well as on television. Now, most people don't bother. The situation is so bad that there is a pervasive atmosphere that has been created that justifies degrading Islam by both intellectuals and lay persons. The division between those who consider the radical elements to be on the fringe and those who feel that Islam itself is the root cause, is getting small. Most who consider that Islam itself is at fault feel that the others are just trying to be politically correct. There are several million Muslims in America. Most, if not all, are law-abiding citizens. Most, if not all, are appalled at the level and magnitude of violence being perpetrated in the name of Islam. And all of them feel that they will suffer untold misery because of the sins committed by the few…. What is happening today in the name of Islam is a travesty. It is shameful. It is despicable. It is wrong. But we who have made America our home also came to this land to avoid the strictures that bound our old societies. The beauty of America is not just life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The beauty of America is liberty, more than anything else. Democracy is strong only when minorities are protected and not victimized. The erosion of civil liberties and the lack of due process in the name of security can and will have some short-term gains, but will unquestionably be detrimental to the constitutional framework on which this country was founded. We have to be vigilant, we have to be secure, but we also have to be free. Today it is the Muslim name that has become the pariah, but tomorrow it could be another…. As an American and a Muslim, I am torn. I am torn because my allegiance is suspect. I am torn because I am embarrassed and humiliated at the same time. I am also blessed to be in this country, as I can participate in a discourse with my fellow citizens and be critical of my government and not be persecuted. I just hope and pray that this remains true in the future, for the well-being of all races, religions and ethnic groups. Sobhan is a surgeon in practice in Newport News and Hampton. http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-36046sy0jul09,0,1084139.story?coll=dp-opinion-editorials |