USA: American Muslims need to reflect on their patriotism

Sadly, [Faisal] Shahzad took the oath [of citizenship] only with his tongue, not his heart and soul. Shahzad did not possess even the weakest degree of patriotism, instead showing complete disloyalty to his country on the eve of May 1.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source & Credit: Duluth News Tribune
By Imran Hayee |  Duluth, MN | May 26, 2010

A Pakistani-American Muslim, Faisal Shahzad, and his despicable attempt to bomb Times Square in New York City cast a dark shadow over the relationship between Islam and America. Furthermore, the Times Square plot obliged 200,000 Pakistani-American Muslims to rethink and renew their Oath of Allegiance to America — and to Islam.

A Pakistani-American Muslim, Faisal Shahzad, and his despicable attempt to bomb Times Square in New York City cast a dark shadow over the relationship between Islam and America. Furthermore, the Times Square plot obliged 200,000 Pakistani-American Muslims to rethink and renew their Oath of Allegiance to America — and to Islam.


As a Pakistani-American Muslim, I find myself compelled to evaluate why Shahzad would try to commit such a horrible act.

Shahzad became a naturalized American citizen not long ago, so he must have remembered the words of the Oath of Allegiance, its recitation required to complete the naturalization process. The Oath of Allegiance clearly states one must completely abjure all fidelity to any foreign government and declare complete allegiance to the United States and its Constitution. Sadly, Shahzad took the oath only with his tongue, not his heart and soul. Shahzad did not possess even the weakest degree of patriotism, instead showing complete disloyalty to his country on the eve of May 1. Shahzad indeed committed an act of terrorism, but to call him a mere terrorist would belittle the offense. In my opinion, the offense is much more: He committed the heinous act of treason against his country, making him a terrorist as well as a traitor.

But did Islam motivate Shahzad to commit this act? I am a practicing Muslim and try to read the Quran — the holy scripture of Islam — almost daily. I find no justification whatsoever in the Quran for such ruthless actions. Rather, the message of Quran clearly forbids terrorism. As an example, the Quran states, “Whosoever killed a person, it is as if he had killed all mankind.” Quran further forbids Muslims to create any kind of chaos and disorder in the society and enjoins them to remain loyal to their country. Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, clearly instructed his followers that love of one’s homeland is part of faith. This is clear proof to me that Shahzad not only committed treason against his country but also against his own religion, Islam.

What really motivated Shahzad? I attribute it to a brand of so-called Muslims who apparently have hijacked Islam and who are using their extremist and twisted interpretations of Islam to commit abominable acts.

This is the time for all rational-minded Muslims in general and Pakistani-American Muslims in particular to come forward and unequivocally and unconditionally condemn the actions of people like Shahzad. Moreover, this is the time for all American Muslims to renew their Oaths of Allegiance with their beloved country, the United States of America. This is possible only if one’s religious beliefs can truly marry with one’s patriotic beliefs.

I am sure most Muslims are peace-loving and can easily consummate this marriage. If a small minority of Muslims, for some reason, cannot renew their Oath of Allegiance to America, those Muslims should leave the country and settle where they can have harmony between their religious and patriotic beliefs. Any Muslims unable to resolve the conflict between their religious and patriotic beliefs and who remain in America because of economic, social and political freedoms are leading a hypocritical life and are being totally ungrateful to this great country.

Such behavior is not only unjust but also un-Islamic. The Quran reads, “Surely (the) worst of creatures in the sight of Allah are those who are ungrateful.”


Imran Hayee of Duluth is an associate professor and the director of graduate studies in the electrical and computer engineering department at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is UMD’s only Pakistani-American Muslim faculty member.

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