Posted on 04/20/2008 6:41:29 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Barack Obama is not a Muslim, but a recent survey found that about 10 percent of Americans believe he is. That perception has been fueled by a campaign of rumors and innuendo. It's a campaign that has caused pain in many Muslim communities, including one in Pennsylvania, which holds a key presidential primary Tuesday.
Obama had a Muslim stepfather. As a child, he learned about Islam and sometimes went to mosque. Nevertheless, he's a devout Christian.
But his middle name, Hussein, has been used by opponents to imply that he's a Muslim.
In February, radio host Bill Cunningham spoke in Cincinnati at a campaign event for Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
"At some point the media will quit taking sides in this thing and maybe start covering Barack Hussein Obama," Cunningham said. McCain quickly condemned Cunningham's comments.
There are other examples. Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa, speaking on a local radio station last month, said: "I will tell you, if he is elected president then the radical Islamists, the al-Qaida and the radical Islamists and their supporters, will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11th."
The trickle-down effect of such messages over radio, TV, the Internet and e-mail can be felt in West Philadelphia, in the city's Muslim community.
'No Shame to Be a Muslim'
"We felt sad," says Abdul Musaitif, who runs a Muslim pizzeria in Germantown. "It's no shame to be a Muslim."
Musaitif, a Palestinian from Ramallah, is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. He decries the idea that a reference to Obama being a Muslim could be seen as an accusation. But he says this is just the latest piece of negativity he has witnessed.
He adds: "They say this is a [democratic] country."
Musaitif also owns the butcher shop next door. His employees are all Muslim, and all the meat he serves, including pizzas, burgers and bacon, are halal — pork-free and Islam sanctioned. Despite everything though, Musaitif says he still feels very American.
"I've been here 24 years; my kids [were] born here," he says. "Everything I own is here."
Standing beside him is Khalil Abdul Jabbar. An African-American convert, he now wears the sort of garb — a long black tunic, prayer cap and unkempt beard — that singles him out as a devout Muslim. He says he's not surprised that labeling Obama a Muslim is considered a smear.
'One Bad Apple'
Jabbar says, "They'll say that ... 'his middle name is Hussein. We don't know about him becoming president because he might have ties.' What kind of ties? It has nothing to do with that. Once again, it's about the generalization of one bad apple with the entire group of people — it happens all the time in this country"
Germantown's Muslims have carved out a solid presence among businesses a little less pious. A bar is still open in the morning. There's music pumping into the street outside. A family emerges from a liquor shop pushing trolleys stacked with cases of wine and vodka.
But there's also an Islamic bookstore playing Quranic verses at full volume, and a boutique selling veils. Fatima Umbeke is going through the racks. She hates the negative attention Islam has gotten in this fracas over Obama's religion.
"It upsets me, you know ... that somebody would feel that way about a religion, and it's a religion of peace," she says. "But that's people for you."
'A Certain Fear Mongering'
For his part, Obama has repeatedly condemned the rumors, which have spread like weeds via e-mail.
"These e-mails are obviously not just offensive to me, somebody who is a devout Christian, who's been going to the same church for the last 20 years," Obama said on 60 Minutes last month. "But it's also offensive to Muslims, because it plays into, obviously, a certain fear mongering there."
The fear mongering, the feeling of distrust and suspicion is part of a wider problem, says Dalia Mogahed, who polls Americans for Gallup.
"Our data shows that only 34 percent of Americans say that they have no prejudice against Muslims," she says. "That figure compares to 74 percent who say they have no prejudice against Jews. So while anti-Semitism is certainly not a relic of the past, anti-Muslim sentiment is at an alarmingly high rate right now in America, and because of that it's used as a political tool against politicians."
Last month on 60 Minutes, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's Democratic opponent, was asked about whether she believes he is a Muslim.
"No, no. Why would I?" she said. "There is nothing to base that on, as far as I know."
'It's Dirty Politics'
Obama says he believes American voters are smarter than some give them credit for.
Helena Murray agrees.
"His middle name is Hussein ... I'm aware of that, but I just think, once again, it's dirty politics," the retired Lancaster schoolteacher says while flower shopping west of Philadelphia. "I was a women's libber and I was somebody that wanted a woman in the White House, but I prefer Obama now."
A "relic of the past"? As opposed to a "relic of the future"?
Would Americans have elected someone named Heinrich during WWII?
Something is always “painful to muslims”. I’ve stopped caring long ago.
Halal bacon, who knew?
Hmmm, since he considers middle Americans to be gun worshiping, racist that cling to their churches out desperation, you have to wonder just which Americans B. Hussein is referring too.
I do not know just how one would determine the religion of Barak Hussein Obama. To me it seeme that he would not fit in anywhere, so let him say what he will, but I do not think any devout Christian could have Jeremiah Wright as a friend or mentor. But then when you take a good look, all of his “friends” are anti-american or criminals. Birds of a feather, do flock together. Then when you add to this, the fact that Obama does not want to wear a flag pin, this oes definitely tell a complete story.
There are other examples. Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa, speaking on a local radio station last month, said: “I will tell you, if he is elected president then the radical Islamists, the al-Qaida and the radical Islamists and their supporters, will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11th.”
Dear NPR and Jamie Tarabay: HAMAS has come out FOR Obama. Can you tell me, what exactly is wrong about Steve King’s prediction? The only way we’ll know for sure is to elect He-who-must-not-be-middle-named and watch what Islamists, al Qaeda and their supporters do. HAMAS is already on board.
I've yet to read or hear any convincing proof of that. Usama Dakdok has witnesses who confirm that the Trinity United Church of Christ doesn't require Muslims to give up Islam to become members of of TUCC.
No quote I've heard or read of BHO's begins to suggest to me that he has in any way been sprinkled with, let alone steeped in, Christian doctrine.
HF
Reporting in — one of the 65% who ARE prejudiced against Muslims. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
Illuminati disruption agent Stephen Colbert asks:"Is Barack Obama a secret muslim?"
"Stephen Colbert tells us how the Democratic Party is destroying itself with name-calling and rumors; McCain is partying; and tries to find out if Obama is a Muslim. Stephen Colbert examines the facts and comes up with a yes anyway."
but does he cling to it and is he bitter about it?
LOL.
Over at al Jazeera, US Muslims call on (their savior) Obama for change: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/96760D5C-448D-46A0-BB99-91D3A2546AA9.htm
That article you referenced needs posted here on FR for informational purposes. If not you, let me know and I will. Thanks.
Yes, I’d be happy if you’d post it. I’m just leaving the house and won’t have time.
It’s always interesting to read al Jazeera’s take on the issues.
Will do. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.