Posted on 10/22/2001 6:36:52 PM PDT by Anima Mundi
For the first time ever, American Muslims will see a U.S. postage stamp honor their religion and culture.
And they’re delighted - but San Antonio Muslim leaders hope the gesture is only a first step toward grater understanding and respect for Islam in mainstream America.
The 34-cent stamp will be available at post offices starting today. It has gold Arabic calligraphy on a blue background, with the English text, “Eid Greetings,” to feature the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid ao-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr breaks the fast to end Ramadan, the Islamic holy monthly. Eid al-Adha recalls Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, and comes at the end of the annual Hajj, the period of pilgrimage to Mecca.
“It’s about time this country did something to recognize the Muslim holidays,” said Muhammad Choudary, president of the Islamic Center of San Antonio. “We are a large minority.”
Nazli Siddiqui, who came to the United States from Pakistan in 1984, said Muslims are the nation’s fastest-growing religious group and soon will be its second largest religious minority. They have increasing political clout, too, she said.
“Republicans were heavily supported by Muslims in the last election. Given the closeness of their victory, President Bush wouldn’t be in the White House now without Muslim support,” Siddiqui said.
Imam Fotouh-Abouelsha of the Islamic Center of San Antonio, speaking through an interpreter, said the stamp is a welcome sign of recognition. “We appreciate it. It shows that people in charge care abut Muslim feelings,” he said. “It will help, but it’s not the only thing that is needed.”
Abouelsha said Americans in general seem insensitive to Muslim meeds.
For example, Jews have their Sabbath on Saturday and CHristians on Sunday. The way the American workweek has evolved, non-Jews and non-Christians get those days off, too. But the Muslim holy day is Friday, a general workday.
Many employers deny Muslims sufficient time from their jobs to attend mosque services, or a place at their office, store or factory to pray - as if their religious obligations were unimportant, the imam said.
“They say, ‘You can go on your lunch hour.’’ But the service takes longer than that. Those who come will be in a hurry while they’re here and they also won’t get to eat lunch.” Abouelsha said.
He said Muslims should be able to count on at least a half-day each Friday to fulfill their commitment. They could work Sunday instead, he suggested.
Failing that, even having a proper place to pray at the appointed times would be a major step forward, Siddiqui said.
More cultural sensitivity is needed, Siddiqui said. Muslim children sometimes are teased when classmates see them fasting during Ramadan, and school officials could help by explaining the holiday and encouraging respect, she said.
“In airports, we’re subjected to more thorough security and measures because of stereotypes of Muslims that exist,” she said.
American Muslims see reporting on the Arab-Israeli conflict by U.S news organizations in the Middle East as biased, blaming only the Palestinians for the violence, Choudary said. Jews have had better access to news outlets than Muslims, he added.
Still, things aren’t as bad as they used to be, Choudary said. “When I first cfame here from Pakistan more than 30 years ago, we wore Pakistani dress and were stopped by a policeman. He thought we were in our night clothes,” he said.
OHHHHHHH yea LOL..
If Americans in general boycott the stamp, it'll make the press and embatrass moslems here.
They might have no choice but to plow money into the Postal Service to keep their death-cult moon-god from looking like a total loser.
Win-win... More money for Uncle Sam, and less for terrorists.
BTW, someone suggested they wouldn't accept mail with the moslem stamp either.
I'm down with that.
< /sarcasm>
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.