I have been listening for so long, and getting defensive and upset for so long, over the same things that are said in the media, in group discussions, by people around me in real life about the same subject over and over again, that finally the light bulb went on. The discussion has not so much been about my religion itself (although at it's core the subject I am talking about has led to constant discussion about Islam), as it has been about what Muslims are doing (or rather NOT doing) to stop the fanatics, and the terrorists. There seems to be a general consensus in the United States of America that the "silence" of Muslims (specifically American Muslims) is simple, quiet complacency with the beliefs and actions of the radicalized few. So much so that now WE are the suspects.
For years now, we have been hearing the same thing from the public and the media. They say we don't do anything to condemn the terrorists, we don't say anything about the fact that they are using our religion to kill. Every time I heard this, or heard someone ask why we don't stand up against terrorism, I got angry. This last time, hearing a discussion panel talk about Muslims in America, I got angry again. But this time a light bulb went on somewhere. I felt something different than before. A light turned on and I thought to myself, "maybe they are right". "Educating" people about Islam doesn't work ( since the only people who seem to be interested in learning more about this religion they do not know are generally NOT the same people who NEED the education), our President reminding us we are NOT at war with Islam doesn't work, reminding our fellow Americans that we are ALSO AMERICANS doesn't work...so what is going to? I realized in that moment that the only thing that will work is US coming out of the woodwork and showing our communities who we are. Being reachable, being active, being noticed...being KNOWN.
So my appeal is to all my Muslim friends...no matter how religious you are, no matter if you wear hijab or not, if you pray every day or not, you are still a Muslim, and we need to be out there, we need to be active and we need to change the direction this country is headed in regards to Islam and Muslims. So what are we going to do about it? What should we do about it? ANSWER...I WANT ANSWERS...I WANT IDEAS...SO GIMME SOME!!!!!
For years now, we have been hearing the same thing from the public and the media. They say we don't do anything to condemn the terrorists, we don't say anything about the fact that they are using our religion to kill. Every time I heard this, or heard someone ask why we don't stand up against terrorism, I got angry. This last time, hearing a discussion panel talk about Muslims in America, I got angry again. But this time a light bulb went on somewhere. I felt something different than before. A light turned on and I thought to myself, "maybe they are right". "Educating" people about Islam doesn't work ( since the only people who seem to be interested in learning more about this religion they do not know are generally NOT the same people who NEED the education), our President reminding us we are NOT at war with Islam doesn't work, reminding our fellow Americans that we are ALSO AMERICANS doesn't work...so what is going to? I realized in that moment that the only thing that will work is US coming out of the woodwork and showing our communities who we are. Being reachable, being active, being noticed...being KNOWN.
So my appeal is to all my Muslim friends...no matter how religious you are, no matter if you wear hijab or not, if you pray every day or not, you are still a Muslim, and we need to be out there, we need to be active and we need to change the direction this country is headed in regards to Islam and Muslims. So what are we going to do about it? What should we do about it? ANSWER...I WANT ANSWERS...I WANT IDEAS...SO GIMME SOME!!!!!
