In American history, there have been flash points of controversy, contrasted to continued struggles for equality. Americans from the Muslim community has moved from the former to the latter. Since the summer’s media obsession over Park51, wrongly dubbed the “Ground Zero Mosque,” we have seen many flash points flare up, from the Murfreesboro Islamic Center protests, to the Oklahoma referendum to ban Sharia being used in court. Most recently, we have seen a Muslim community center in Bridgewater, New Jersey come under attack, without a shred of evidence to suggest it is anything other than a benevolent community center. Tennessee lawmakers are now considering a bill that would outlaw adherence to “Sharia” altogether, essentially making the practice of Islam a criminal offense. It’s crept up to the U.S. Congress as well, with Peter King’s McCarthy-esque hearings on the “radicalization of Muslim Americans.” Rather than seeing these issues merely as a string of events, we must take a step back and look at the big picture.
While few could forget the polarizing issue around Park51, attacks on the Muslim American community have become significantly more concerning. First of all, the summer’s protests were around a sensitive issue. Even if we don’t agree with the opinions of some the families of 9/11 victims, we must be cognizant and compassionate to their pain. However, protests at mosques in Tennessee, New Jersey, California, and elsewhere, where Ground Zero is nowhere nearby, shows a clear delineation between sensitivity at Ground Zero and bigotry across the nation.
The second issue that is a cause for alarm is timing. Not only was September an anniversary of September 11th, but it also was during an election. When asked on a panel in December why the protests seemed to have subsided, I quipped half-jokingly that the election was over. However, now watching these latest rounds of protests, hearings, and anti-Muslim legislation, there is no anniversary or election to blame. There is just unadulterated rage from one American community to another.
Tags: american muslims, bridgewater mosque, frank fredericks, islamophobia, peter king hearings, religious freedom, religious freedom usa
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
