It's Time For American Muslims To Stand Up And Be Counted

Here are some items from the NY Times of March 18.

A.  "The State Department ... dropped an Egyptian activist from a list of women to be honored ... after (her) comments celebrating attacks on Israelis in Bulgaria. " Page A 4

B.  "Two Frenchmen suspected of plotting terrorist attacks, making explosives and being involved in extremist activity online were detained Thursday amid heightened concern about threats to France over its military campaign against fighters in Mali linked to Al Queda."  Page A 8

C.  "...Taleb Yaacoub kept the cover story he had been years building: He was a Lebanese businessman looking for import opportunities.  .........(later)  Mr. Yaacoub admitted he was in Cyprus working for Hezbollah."    A 12

This is just in one day's edition of the NY Times.

What goes through the minds of American Muslims when they read such items?   Do they support Salafist ambitions in Mali?  Do they resent the more secular Muslims who the French are trying to aid?  The Turks have traditionally been hostile to the Greeks, and the Greeks don't much care for the Turks.  And, maybe that's the way it will be for Israelis and Muslims.  But, do Muslims celebrate the murder of tourists traveling on a bus simply because they're Israelis?  Do American Muslims ally themselves with Hezbollah?  Do they celebrate the assassination of Sadat?

If American Muslims can not accept the Jewish State of Israel, a state that gives equal rights to its Christian and Muslim citizens, then it will be inevitable that Islamicphobia  will follow.  If they favor a state that seeks the umbrella of Sharia for its citizens rather than western values that seek to promote freedom to speech and religion, it will find itself in conflict with American values.

So where do American Muslims stand on these matters?  Many are proud, patriotic Americans who join  us in the support of our secular Constitution.  But, what is the number of Muslims that do not share these values?  This is a question that must concern all Americans, but most especially Muslim Americans.  Americans have worked long and hard to eliminate prejudice based on ethnic differences.  It is a job that requires the best efforts of all Americans.  That, of course, includes the American Muslim community.