Islam’s True Nature Lost in Interpretation

On a recent edition of the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “The 700 Club,” following a report on Muslims in Minneapolis seeking religious accommodations at school and work, host Pat Robertson warned, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize that Islam is not a religion. It is a worldwide political movement meant on domination of the world.” In a previous telecast, Robertson warned: “These people are crazed fanatics, and I want to say it now: I believe it’s motivated by demonic power. It is satanic and it’s time we recognize what we’re dealing with.”

Robertson is not alone in condemnations. The Reverend Franklin Graham unapologetically stated that Islam “is a very evil and wicked religion,” and especially since the tragedy of Sept. 11, some radio and TV hosts, politicians and columnists have proclaimed that such terrorist acts are not in fact perpetrated by a small fraction who have hijacked Islam, but rather by Muslims actively following the prescribed tenets of their faith.

To be sure, terrorist attacks such as Sept. 11 and the recent Fort Dix and John F. Kennedy airport plots have produced numerous false interpretations that are grounded not only in misunderstandings of the other but of oneself as well. Are there some extremists who promote violence in the name of their faith? Of course, but extremists of all faiths have done so for time immemorial. Few need much justification for hate. The cowards who attacked us and declared themselves to be our enemies cared not for our faiths, only that we are Americans.

As Americans, we share values of hope, family, liberty and justice. In our representative democracy, we can and should work together in pursuit of our common goals rather than allow an atmosphere of suspicion to poison the well. Today, more than six million Muslim Americans are proud to live, work and serve in our country. They, like their fellow Americans, pay taxes and contribute to the American economy every day by owning businesses that employ thousands of Americans. And, like their fellow Americans, they serve in uniform, both in the armed forces and as first responders. Indeed, Arab and Muslim Americans have served their country in every war since the American Revolution, and thousands serve today and have done so with distinction.

More than one billion Muslims in the world, including Muslim Americans, live peaceably with their non-Muslim friends and neighbors. They take to heart God’s assurance in the Quran, the Muslim scripture, “be they Muslims, Jews, Christians ... those who believe in God and the Last Day and who do good have their reward with their Lord. They have nothing to fear, and they will not sorrow.”

Muslim Americans were there on Sept. 11 as well. They were victims of the attacks; they were witnesses to it; and were, several of them at least, among the first who rushed to the aid of those injured and dying. And they provided comfort and care without regard for religious concerns. Their valor should remind the world that the acts of terrorism were not representative of a people nor a faith, but instead reflected the twisted and tortured interpretation by a few terrorists’ and their masters of the Islamic faith.

The vast majority of Muslim organizations and religious leaders have unequivocally condemned terrorism and violence time and time again. In the days after Sept. 11, thousands of Muslims in the United States, the Muslim world and even in Iran, marched in the streets, held vigils and interfaith prayers in solidarity with Americans. However, the media has largely ignored these repeated condemnations and gestures in support of freedom.

Instead of making every effort to bring together all freedom-loving people, some seek to divide us, cynically questioning the ability of millions to embrace peace based solely on their faith. They seek to brand Islam as a religion of hate and violence, and do a great disservice to the true understanding of the Islamic faith and Muslims but also to the aberrant nature of the murderous enemy we currently face as Americans.

Such divisive rhetoric can lead to violence with real victims. Waqar Hasan of Texas, was murdered on Sept. 15, 2001. The Pakistani immigrant was killed by Mark Stroman, who was convicted of also murdering Vasudev Patel days later. Stroman admitted to authorities to attacking a third victim, a Bangladeshi, bragging, “I did what every American wanted to after Sept. 11 but didn’t have the nerve.”

Such bigotry only gives in to the terrorists. It demonstrates to our enemies that we are willing to respond to their hate with hatred, and to give in to fear by succumbing to prejudice.

We can be thankful that the majority of Americans stand strong against this kind of divisiveness. Indeed, most are determined to avoid the racism and ethnic division so many others sadly experienced in our nation’s darker moments. They have taken to heart the promise made by our first President, George Washington, that Americans would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

As Americans, we can take pride in the fact that, regardless of ethnic and religious heritage, we stand united as one people. And as Americans, we are united in defending our cherished liberty in the many long days ahead.

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