Holland, MI — Earlier this year a message was left on my cell phone. The call had come from a dear friend and colleague, a woman who had taught me a great deal about the fundamental principles of her faith — honesty and kindness, striving to do righteous deeds, rejecting societal injustices, speaking truth, giving to the less fortunate, avoiding sin. My friend is a Muslim.
I listened to her message with great sadness. Her tearful voice asked if I was aware of the congressional hearings on the “radicalization of the American Muslim” launched by Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.
My friend questioned whether non-Muslim Americans would be suspicious of their Muslim neighbors, co-workers and classmates solely on the basis of their religion. How much more scrutiny, she asked, will people of my faith experience as a result of these hearings? What can we do to help people understand Islam is a religion of peace, not hate, and that we also love this country and work for the betterment of society?
Tags: interreligious understanding, Islam Awareness, islamophobia, peter king
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
