American Muslims Are Americans. Let's Act Like It

Opinion Journal ^ | September 14, 2001 | Tarek E. Masoud

[jokemoke]

Are Americans.

Let's Act Like It.

Friday, September 14, 2001 12:01 a.m. EDT There's a famous photo of a Japanese-owned grocery store in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor with these words emblazoned across the front: "I AM AN AMERICAN." It accurately encapsulates the way many of us in the Islamic and Arab community feel at this hour. As it becomes ever more apparent that our co-religionists have visited slaughter upon our compatriots, so many of us want to declare from the rooftops our allegiance to this great nation, to show our solidarity with our fellow citizens, and to join the fight against our common enemy.

[Major Matt Mason]

Those who profess to believe this but now single out Arab Americans for special scrutiny are hypocrites.

You aren't serious, are you? The only ones singling themselves out as Arab-Americans are Arab-Americans. Why do you think that John Zogby's ugly mug is on TV every 10 minutes? He is the head of an Arab-American organization, and continually says this. Isn't it about time he simply referred to himself as an American? Better yet, isn't it about time that the members of his organization refer to themselves as Americans? Zogby is a Democrat, BTW, so I'm not surprised that he is out mewling about victimhood, since this has been an arrow in the DemocRat's quiver for many years. Politics, as usual.

This article is correct, Arab-Americans have chosen the time-honored tradition of America's recent minorities, that of victimhood, rather than taking this opportunity to display some disgust for what has happened.

[jmp702]

There's not quite that many and not all are Arabic

Here are some of the terrorists living in America as American citizens. These organizations have been terrorizing the constitution and American way of life for many decades and are far more dangerous in that we can't physically obliterate them with bombs. (can we?)

ACLU, SPLC, PUSH, ADL, NOW, GLAAD, GREENPEACE, PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY.

[crazykatz]

BUMP

[LADY J]

ACTIONS will speak louder than words!! This is true for ALL the religions. Speaking sentiments is not as valid as SHOWING PATRIOTISM!!!

[Anonymous2]

no we can't, not until they grow the rabid fangs that islam has grown. then, it's open season on nazis and communists when they start playing their cards. it's all coming.

[crazykatz]

That film was no JOKE! A Japanese photograher actually took pictures of those roasted Serbians....and I WILL NOT EVER EXCUSE that behavior as JUST stuff that happens in war! PERIOD!

I am the recipient of several awards for my work with refugees...I will NEVER again work for Bosnians....NEVER! NEVER!!!!!

And, I am not alone in this decision. Our organization lost fully 40% of volunteers who had similiar experiences....the rest were working with Cambodians,Kurds, Africans and Vietnamese.

We help others now...and it WILL stay that way!

[BADROTOFINGER]

I really dont see any slander, and if there is, YOU should be the one to prove it (you are the one accusing after all). Looks to me like Texas is just telling us what he sees and even admits the possibility that he might be over-sensitive. I have seen a lot more bigoted posts than his, maybe you are being a little oversensitive???...JFK

[BubbasGottaGo]

"A Japanese photograher actually took pictures of those roasted Serbians...." And just what the hell am I supposed to make of that little tidbit? The guys laughing at the WTC were CHRISTIAN KOREANS. Doesn't make all Christians idiots, doesn't make all Koreans a$$holes. I was graced with a discerning heart and American citizenship. Think I'll use both to best advantage for my country. Did you ask them what it was about the Serbs that engendered such a hatred, or do you merely surmise barbarianism on only one side because they upset your stomach and that's all you saw? This thing we are in now is going to make some heavy-duty calls on all of us. We are about to fight our way out of the dark corner we painted ourselves into in the house we built for all to live in. Buck up. It ain't gonna be easy. Did anyone bother to inform the FBI or CIA about the celebrations you quote? If so, then why the heck not?

Talk is cheap. Gotta go. There actually ARE things we can do, and I have to go do some of them now.

[willyboyishere]

Well, I'M SORRY, but there are not enough of them. A radio reporter from WABC in NYC , Joel Sanestaban, took it upon himself a few days ago to go out to Long Island and visit the biggest Mosque there, to interview Muslims and get impressions: he came away VERY disappointed that, TO A MAN, he could not get a single word of denunciation or remorse, or even empathy from a single one. They coldly told him "they didn't want to talk about it". I repeat, they are among us, but they are not OF us. It will take several generations for that.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Well aren't you just brilliant.

You've got absolutely no idea what you are talking about. You're attempt to project this personification upon me is totally invalid. You go ahead with your apologetics. I have slandered no one. Furthermore, I have taken my concerns to a few of the store owners directly suggesting a $20 investment in a flag to fly in the window.

I have met honorable Muslims and I have met others that were less than moderate. I have learned much about Islam from a Sunni friend of mine. In your haste to try to hoist me on my own petard you make too many assumptions. I have NOT called any names, defamed, or called from any type of action. I simply relayed an observation and registered my disappointment in it. From a business stand point you would figure that these people would want to distance themselves from Muslim extremists seeing as how their devotion is on full display whenever they close their shops during prayer time.

Why don’t you just come on down from your high horse and stop reading things into what is said.

[Polybius]

Arab Americans do not need to do either more or less than any other American to prove their allegiance

The point of this Editorial written by an American Muslim to other American Muslims is that they, his fellow American Muslims, are indeed doing less than any other Americans and are even doing less than foreigners overseas.

Even when put into detention camps during World War II, Japanese Americans volunteered for combat in Europe. They acted as other Americans did.

As Mr. Tarek E. Masoud points out, however, that is not the case with many American Muslims. Such conduct does raise doubts as to whether those who behave in the manner Mr. Masoud describes truly love America or are simply here for economic reasons while despising this country as The Great Satan.

[FITZ]

because the silence from the Arab Ametrican community, except to claim the victim status, has been stunning.

Yes, they had an Arab woman on the callin show on NPR (I only listened to hear how bad the liberals were on this) and she was griping and whining that her friends felt that people were looking at them funny and they felt like they were being watched. I'm sorry but if that's all the harassment they're facing, I don't feel too bad and they should go back home if they don't like it. She also defended the attack on us because we didn't do what the Muslims wanted as far as Israel etc.

[FITZ]

This is the first evidence I've seen of a "good" Muslim. I've heard them in the chat rooms and on the radio and most seem to be gloating quite a lot over this. I haven't heard of any others condemning the attack.

[FITZ]

Oh---I have to take that back, this is only the SECOND good one I've actually seen or heard from. There was one guy from Pakistan on NPR who did sound good and he seemed pretty concerned about his children and family back home and he did say some good things about the US.

[Polybius]

She also defended the attack on us because we didn't do what the Muslims wanted as far as Israel etc.

Look at the last sentence of my Post#113 right above yours:

"Such conduct does raise doubts as to whether those who behave in the manner Mr. Masoud describes truly love America or are simply here for economic reasons while despising this country as The Great Satan."

[Don Joe]

"Nothing much. But, the German-Americans laid pretty low. There was limited support for Hitler among the Germans in the US, the Bund was not all that strong."

I spent about a year living on a friend's farm. "German Americans," good people. They told me that during the war, they had family members fighting on both sides. Very sad for them, but they were Americans first and foremost.

[FITZ]

I used to know some of the ones who would burn the US flag during their campus demonstrations. They were friendly and interesting to talk with. But they claimed they hated our government and that's why they burned our flag. Those were Iranians, and at the time the Arab students seemed less radical. They all do seem to love money if nothing else.

[caddie]

Bingo.

Deep down, they are all disloyal muslim bastards.

The ones reporting to American armed forces recruiting stations may be excepted. Maybe not, though.

That's what the Barnified American public needs to come to grips with, or it will be unable to defend itself against these stinking, lice-infested scum.

Have a nice day, jarhead.