I read the latest foiled terrorist plot in Portland like many people do, with a mix of shock and relief. However, this one struck closer to home, literally. While I have lived in New York now for over six years, I grew up just outside Portland in a small town called Battle Ground, and frequented downtown Portland most of my life, including for school and church. The day after the arrest, I received the following text message from my sister:
“Hey, I was at Pioneer Square last night when they found that guy who was going to bomb it. He was Muslim and he was yelling ‘allahu ackbar’ when he was arrested. If the FBI hadn’t have intercepted his plan you’d be down a sister. Why aren’t Muslims speaking out more publicly against these people?”
My sister’s text was an earnest message from a reasonable American. Despite the stereotypes of living in rural Oregon, she has come to the defense of Muslims when an in-law claimed that “Muslims want to kill us (Americans).” She is not an Islamophobe. However, when the crosshairs of violent extremism finds you, the fear breeds both confusion and anger. Why aren’t more Muslims speaking out against terrorism?
Tags: fatwah, islamophobia, muslim americans, portland bomber, religion news, religious freedom, terrorism
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