Ramadan is a centuries-old American tradition; between 15 percent and 30 percent of Africans enslaved and brought to America were Muslims. Thus, American Muslim labor literally helped build this country.
Source/Credit: Pilot Online
By Qasim Rashid | August 3, 2014
They say a man's reputation is his most valuable possession.
I, along with every other Virginia lawyer, bet my reputation when I proudly took the oath to "faithfully and impartially" uphold Virginia's laws and the U.S. Constitution. This oath is also required of all Virginia civil servants.
Bob FitzSimmonds, who is chief deputy clerk of Prince William County's courts and the state Republican Party's treasurer, violated that oath Thursday on a public Facebook post:
"To mark the end of Ramadan... Obama released a statement thanking Muslim Americans 'for their many achievements and contributions... to building the very fabric of our nation and strengthening the core of our democracy.' It is one thing to be gracious on religous [sic] holidays, but this is pure nonsense. Exactly what part of our nation's fabric was woven by Muslims? What about Sikhs, Animists, and Jainists? Should we be thanking them too?"
Private citizens often send me such intolerant comments, misspellings and all. There's certainly no law against it. But if FitzSimmonds professes to represent Virginia and uphold the Constitution, I take issue with his rant. Every Virginian, every American, should take issue because such views are repugnant to the oath of impartiality.
FitzSimmonds was mute when President George W. Bush remarked during Ramadan 2003, "people who practice the Islamic faith have made great contributions to our nation," or in 2004, "Americans who practice the Islamic faith enrich our society and help our nation build a better future," or in a following Ramadan, "our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens."
So why does FitzSimmonds object to Barack Obama echoing Bush's sentiments?
Indeed, American Muslims have made incredible contributions to our nation's fabric.
As UCLA Law Professor Khalid Beydoun reports, Ramadan is a centuries-old American tradition; between 15 percent and 30 percent of Africans enslaved and brought to America were Muslims. Thus, American Muslim labor literally helped build this country.
Even at only 1-2 percent of our current population, roughly 10 percent of American doctors are Muslim. In sports, who can deny sports icons such as Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Mike Tyson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ahmad Rashad or Shaquille O'Neal?
Is music your forte? There's American Muslim Jazz greats Yusef Lateef and Ahmad Jamal and rappers Lupe Fiasco and Nas. Columbia University professor Hishaam Aidi's new book, "Rebel Music," details just how much America's music history owes to American Muslims.
And who doesn't love those funny cat videos? You can thank YouTube co-founder and American Muslim Jawed Karim. Speaking of funny, check out comedians Dean Obeidallah and Asif Mandvi. Like architecture? Thank Willis Tower chief architect Fazlur Khan. Watch "House of Cards"? Meet my friend and fellow American Muslim actor Mahershalalhashbaz Ali - i.e. Remy Danton. (Also look for him as Commander Boggs in "The Hunger Games.")
American Muslims serve in our military, teach in our universities and vote in our elections. American Muslims Keith Ellison and Andre Carson are elected members of Congress.
Remove Muslims from our nation's fabric and you remove an irreplaceable part of the authentic American experience.
And finally, as FitzSimmonds suggested, let's also thank "Sikhs, Animists, and Jainists" for their immense contributions to America. Let's thank American Jews, atheists, Hindus and pagans too.
This is not a "liberal" position. This is what that oath means when one promises to serve Virginia and uphold the U.S. Constitution "faithfully and impartially."
Here's another history lesson. Historian Ivan Van Sertima records that African Muslims arrived on America's shores 500 years before Columbus. They integrated peacefully, married and aspired for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In short, Muslims were in America long before America was discovered.
Welcome to America. Rather than rant about some of its citizens, perhaps Bob FitzSimmonds should think about that vow to be impartial - and appreciate the talented and diverse people who have helped to make this country great.
For Muslims, our oath is our invaluable reputation, woven into the fabric of our American society.
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Qasim Rashid is an author, attorney and national spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. He lives in Richmond. Twitter: @MuslimIQ.
Read original post here: Perspective: When civil servants aren't so civil | Qasim Rashid
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Well done Qasim Rashid, you tell'em, the Republicans. What's good for the goose (Bush) is good for the gander (Obama).
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