As a nation, we must steer ourselves away from this self-destructive path. Bias and prejudice is part of human nature, but we have the ability to resist such vices through education.
Source/Credit: American-Statesman
By Huma Munir | February 7, 2016
Muslim-Americans are a vital part of this country and their contributions should not be forgotten. This is the point President Barack Obama wanted to make as he made his first presidential visit to a mosque in Baltimore.
As a Muslim-American, I truly want to believe in this message. But the recent incidents of Islamophobia, as well as the hateful rhetoric issued by the GOP presidential candidates, has made me question if people like me have a place in this country. And while Obama’s visit to a mosque makes me hopeful, the fact that Donald Trump or Sen. Ted Cruz have a chance at becoming the next president of the United States is truly frightening.
I have lived as a citizen of the United States for most of my adult life, but I have never been more afraid of being a Muslim than I do now. After the San Bernardino, Calif., shootings, I was afraid for weeks to step out in public wearing my headscarf. There were times when I wanted to scream out loud that the extremists who take lives in the name of Islam have nothing to do with my faith. I wanted to announce to people who stared at my headscarf that they have no reason to fear me — that I am repulsed by the act of killing in any form or shape. I am repulsed by the very idea of hurting another human being in the name of religion. Faith is meant to reform our inner selves, not turn us into monsters.
I believe that it is about time that the United States and its people confront their ignorance about Islam. Before we elect Trump or Cruz as our next president and lead our nation and its values to utter and complete destruction, we must pause and reflect. Is this truly the America we want? Today, it is Muslims; tomorrow, it can be anyone.
If this sounds far-fetched, let’s take countries like Pakistan for an example. In 1984, the Pakistani constitution made blasphemy punishable by law and issued discriminatory ordinances against minorities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Over the last decades, we have faced target killings and other incidents of violence against our community in Pakistan. Today, the same blasphemy laws issued by politicians are tightening the noose around the entire nation. No one is exempt from blasphemy and anyone can be considered guilty under such laws — not just Ahmadis but even Shiites and Sunnis.
Granted, though the United States doesn’t even compare to the abyss that Pakistan has become, I still fear the consequences of hateful rhetoric used by our politicians. I believe that such rhetoric can have powerful and grave consequences. As a nation, we must steer ourselves away from this self-destructive path. Bias and prejudice is part of human nature, but we have the ability to resist such vices through education. But if we let ignorance fester inside us, we are not far from days when coexistence becomes difficult or even impossible.
At the same time, I must reiterate that Muslim communities in the United States must root out extremism from within. The Islamic community leaders must create youth empowerment programs to prevent young Muslims from going down a wrong path. Muslim-Americans must not cherry pick parts of faith to fit their own ideologies or dogmas. Rather, they must adhere to Prophet Muhammad’s words: Being loyal to one’s nation is part of one’s faith. By doing that, we remain loyal to our country, as well as our faith.
As for people like Cruz and Trump, I have no doubt that we will defeat their hate with more love and tolerance for each other. But in order to do so, we must first confront our prejudices and align ourselves with people who believe in wisdom and compassion over aggression and hostility.
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Munir is a member of Teach for America and a teacher in the Austin school district.
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/opinion/munir-obama-visit-to-mosque-gives-some-hope-amid-m/nqKq2/
Read original post here: Perspective: Obama visit to mosque gives some hope amid much fear | Huma Munir
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