Image via WikipediaI think it started with a group trying to build a mosque close to where the 9/11 tragedy happened. I can understand the reaction to the potential symbolism of a mosque being built where Islamic terrorists destroyed thousands of lives and huge amounts of property; it is as if they (the terrorists) were saying, see we hurt you, we invaded you and now we will conquer you.
Obviously, Muslims and mosques have been in this country for many, many years. I remember when we used to drive through Toledo, Ohio to get to Dayton or Cincinnati; we passed a most beautiful mosque amidst farms and farmland and that was many years ago.
Today, mosque building is being challenged all over the country (and the world) due to a different perception of Islam. Today Americans see mosques as breeding grounds for terrorists, places where young Muslims are “radicalized” into becoming terrorists just like in England.
On one level you can see the concern of many Americans as valid and the fact that prominent Muslims do not condemn Muslim radicalism and terrorism in loud enough voices, adds to the concern.
People take phrases out of the Quran / Koran and use them to prove that Islam is a violent and aggressive religion that aims to conquer the world; the same can be done with the Christian Bible. Mosques in my area hold open-house sessions for the general public to try to educate them about Islam and the Quran but that is not done on a wide enough basis and so the religion and its adherents seem suspicious and plotting.
So far, local government leaders like the mayor of New York defend the building of mosques as a natural right of religious groups; a right guaranteed by our Constitution to practice their religion freely and without hindrance of any kind and that is the law of the land, plain and simple.
I thing an important American perception of Islam is that it is not just a religion but a religion tied to governments as in theocracies like Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. so the natural inclination is to see Islam in America as plotting to eventually take over our government and make it into a theocracy something fundamental Christians have been trying to do for many years and in fact have accelerated their efforts under Bush and will again under the next Republican president.
Obviously, the thought of an American theocracy, Muslim at that, is preposterous. In fact, American Islam is a branch of the religion that will be and already is different from Islamic branches around the world and hopefully will show the world that Islam can survive and prosper in a country with many religions.
In fact, the earliest history of the Islamic empire showed great toleration for other religions. It has only been in modern history that some Muslim countries have become theocracies with strict rules against allowing other religions into their territory.
Please also remember that Muslim or predominantly Muslim countries have secular governments and fiercely protect their secularism like Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. Yes, they have to battle constantly the forces that would destroy their secular state and impose a theocratic government; but that is the reality in the Muslim world today.
We are a land of immigrants; a melting pot. So let’s welcome the Muslims into the pot and allow them to enjoy our culture as we assimilate theirs but let’s not be naive but continue to keep vigilant watch over mosques and Muslims that could potentially be harmful to us; and that is the reality of the world we live in and future generations will live in.
My only potential problem with American Islam is the need for minarets to constantly call people to prayer (5x/day); too loud and annoying. I have heard that the new American way to perform this task will be to send out “prayer calls” by cell phone.
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