Don't prejudge Muslims (BARF ALERT)

Chicago Sun-Times letter to the editor ^ | 8/03/05 | M. Ali Khan

[Chi-townChief]

While I applaud the national ''Not in the Name of Islam'' campaign condemning terrorism, it is a sad commentary about America. Neither Christians nor Jews feel compelled to take out newspaper ads declaring their faith's innocence whenever acts of violence and extremism are carried out by individuals or groups who share their religion. And that's simply because we are enlightened enough as a nation to know that you can't condemn Christianity just because a few Christians committed the Oklahoma City bombing terrorism.

The Not in the Name of Islam campaign is being sponsored principally by Muslim Americans who immigrated to this country beginning in the '60s when Robert Kennedy declared that America's fight against racism included opening our shores to people of color. Knowing the atrocities committed against blacks in the name of Christianity, African-American Muslims feel no similar defensiveness about Islam.

But while all Muslims in America have felt the sting of stereotyping and discrimination since 9/11, the immigrant Muslim community has had to live in fear in this land where they have excelled as citizens. They have felt the full brunt of the war on terrorism: automatic suspects.

Thus, the Not in the Name of Islam campaign is really a plea. It's asking America to have the good and common sense not to judge an entire religion by the acts of a few. It's asking America in advance not to lose its cool if another terrorist attack should strike this nation -- as we shamefully did in locking down Japanese Americans in World War II. It's asking that religious prejudice not be in the name of protecting America.

M. Ali Khan, executive director, American Muslim Council, Lincoln Park

[Publius6961]

McVeigh was not a Christian. He was an atheist. He never claimed to be acting on behalf of Christ or God.

McVeigh was found, tried and executed by his American "Christian" brothers.

I wonder if there are any other "equivalent" examples this mangy dog can think of that we can discuss?

[BayouCoyote]

Your tagline sums it up rather well. I've never payed much attention to the menace of the muslim hordes, but after 9/11, the playing field has seen a new player fielded, me. Now, with all the readily available information that I have gathered, I will always inform anyone who cares to listen to the threat that islam is to the world. Privately, publicly, constantly and most of all under any circumstances I will challenge anyone who cares to mislead the public about the true nature of the great lie. The truth will destroy islam in the end. That's why they are so opposed to scrutiny, and for that reason, I will carry on professing the truth.