Another Woe Is Me For Being A Muslim-American In Hate Filled America Op-Ed [CDR M]

Chalk up this op-ed as another woe is me being a muslim in America op-ed. A Muslim American Reflects On Osama Bin Laden's Death. While it sucks that you have been put on a watchlist, other non-muslims are singled out for silly politically correct procedures so as NOT to offend muslims (like patdowns of 6 year old girls and active duty military on one way tickets to their deployed unit, etc) so forgive me if I really don't care about this Mr. Chowdhury.

Chowdhury then makes some other statements in his article that undermine his own argument against supposed anti-muslim beliefs in America.

Islamophobia in America seemed to hit a fever pitch in recent months with the controversy over the mosque in Lower Manhattan and congressional hearings on whether American muslims were becoming "radicalized". Yet, neither terrorism nor Islamophobia will end with bin Laden’s demise. In the short run, prejudice may get worse. The press’s and the public’s fascination with the gory details of his killing — and the demand for more details and images — reflect a nation collectively fantasizing about killing bin Laden and, by extension, Muslims. This past week, a Portland mosque was vandalized with messages such as “Osama today, Islam tomorow [sic],” “Long live the West” and “Go Home.”

Nice. So you whine about Americans supposedly lumping all muslims into the terror lovin' group based on the supposed actions of the militant minority but at the same time, some idiot defaces a mosque in Portland (I didn't even hear about this on the news nationally) and you assume that's the view of all Americans? Generalize much? The argument over the mosque in Manhattan WASN'T about muslim religion, it was about the location of said mosque and it's proximity to an attack carried out by the militant minority as you state that killed nearly 3000 Americans. It is offensive. No different than if a Christian church wanted to build a massive church right next to Mecca. You'd hate that too. And what's this pap about fevered pitch? Really? One guy burning a Quran is a fevered pitch? A Senate hearing asking questions is fevered pitch? In 2009, according to the FBI's hate crime statistics, 71.9% of the 1,575 victims of religious hate-crimes were perpetrated by anti-Jewish offenders. So you might want to tone down your descriptive language there dude. It does not fit the data.

While you argue the militant muslim is a minority, they have cornered the market on terror attacks within the US. Let's see you have the Times Square bomber, you have the Ft. Hood shooting, you have the shooting of two soldiers outside a recruiting center in Little Rock, Arkansas, you have the Ft. Dix terror group, you have the Christmas Day bomber, etc, etc. So yes, it is wise for Americans to be wary and to ask questions. As one should with ANYONE or ANY group that looks dangerous.

Despite this, I’m hopeful. Bin Laden’s death is symbolic, but symbols matter. Islam has long been burdened by its association with one angry man. Now this weight has been lifted. In time, Muslim Americans like me may no longer be linked to two burning, crumbling towers, but to Muslim youth throughout the Middle East revolting against tyranny.

Islam is not just burdened with its association with one angry man. There are others that are just as vicious and are still out there. It is foolish to think that one man's death will make militant islam go away. Some have argued that bin Laden actually muzzled Zawahiri as it was he who was more violent and bloodthirsty in his quest to wage terrorism. With Osama dead, will he still be muzzled? No, he won't be.

It is too early to tell what will happen with the Middle East revolts and whether or not they will rise up to equal freedom, equality and respect for all that you state they desire. Sharia Law is not compatible with those thoughts no? And it's highly likely some, if not many of these countries could go down that path. If the majority of muslims want to do away with the militant minority, it is well past the time for Islamic leaders to step up to the plate and actively pursue and purge their religion of said people. Words won't cut it anymore. Actions DO speak louder than words.

Cross posted at Clarion Advisory.

posted by Open Blogger at 12:07 PM

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