What I expect from American Muslims

Vanity | 9/19/01 | Antoninus

[Antoninus]

An insidious, monstrous criminal atrocity has been committed against our country. There's now little doubt that this barbaric act was committed by fanatical Muslims as part of a jihad against the 'Great Satan' America. In the aftermath, we are treated to platitudinous and largely unnecessary calls for Americans to exercise 'restraint' and not take out our anger against other Americans who happen to be of the same religious extraction as the maniacs who perpetrated this act. These calls for restraint could be made unnecessary if American Muslims would simply do the following...

Convene a very public, nationally televised 'town hall' meeting of Muslim clerics and high-ranking officials with in their communities around the country. Within this public forum, allow presenter after presenter to state unequivocably that they:

1. Decry the dastardly attack on the World Trade Centers in no uncertain terms.

2. Declare to be false and pernicious the notion that a murderous, suicidal death leads one's soul to heaven. State in no uncertain terms that this teaching is contrary to true Islam.

3. Renounce the use of terroist violence to achieve political ends, and call for ALL foreign governments to do the same.

4. State publicly that they support the right of the United States to wage war against those nations and groups which harbor and abet terrorism whether they be Muslim or otherwise.

5. Put forth a dire warning to the terrorist cells that may be in their midst that Muslim-Americans will not think twice about turning these perfidious scoundrels over to the US government.

6. Mention that any public celebration of these attacks by Muslim-Americans is a deplorable act which harms not only the Muslim community, but America as a whole.

What I don't want to hear in relation to this is one single word about:

1. How this would never have happened if the US didn't support Israel.

2. How our 'imperialist' oppression of Arab nations brought on this attack.

3. Any kind of justification for terrorist barbarism.

Individual statements along these lines have surfaced here and there, but until the Muslim community as a whole does this in a very public fashion, I will have to view them with some suspicion. The mere fact that we haven't seen more of these kinds of statements indicates to me (and I hope I'm wrong on this) that there is decent amount of clandestine approval of the attack within the Muslim-American community...

[Antoninus]

Heck, if it were some extremist Catholic group that did this, we might expect to see every single priest, nun, bishop and the Pope too begging the world for forgiveness. A little more condemnation and consternation from the Muslim community would go a long way at this point.

[NewLand]

BEST POST I've seen this week...BUMP!

[anniegetyourgun]

I must say, it would be welcomed - especially if it is not combined in any way with the last 3 items you list.

I'm not convinced, however, that the Muslim community can agree on #2 in your first set of 6. While there is scripture to suggest that Mohammedism would rule out suicide, others of their scriptures suggest that anything necessary to rid the world of infidel dogs is acceptable.

[NovemberCharlie]

Wouldn't it be simpler to make them sign loyalty oaths?

[Vigilanteman]

Another suggestion-- raise your own regiment like the Japanese-Americans did in 1942 to fight for your country. This was the most decorated regiment in World War II and performed with distinction in Italy. The 142nd's bravery and patriotism led to an early closing of the notorious relocation camps which, themselves, were engineered by a LIBERAL coalition of FDR and Earl Warren, then California's attorney general.

[FITZ]

Bumping this! But really you wouldn't think they'd have to be told to do this. I'm not sure all that many were opposed to the would-be outcome.

[P-Marlowe]

Don't hold your breath.

[SEA]

BINGO!!

I am an observant Catholic, and I therefore oppose abortion. But when an abortion doctor is shot, do you think I would get positive media attention if I made statements like "this wouldn't happen if he didn't perform abortions?"

It's nut-cutting time at the Mosque. Decent Moslems better step forward right now and stand with the USA to kill every last terror organization and terror-sponsoring state, and not hide behind the Islamic brotherhood. It may not be fair, but that's the way it is.

[Antoninus]

Wouldn't it be simpler to make them sign loyalty oaths?

Nope. I'm more interested in the PUBLIC nature of such an event. No oaths are involved. They should just be speaking from the heart that which they truly feel (at least what we are told they feel by the media...)

[bootyist-monk]

Here, here, Antoninus. I've heard enough of this "we're victims" crap. Time to prove that they are indeed Americans, in which case we will embrace them and protect them as brothers - otherwise expect our wrath.

[Antoninus]

Another suggestion-- raise your own regiment like the Japanese-Americans did in 1942 to fight for your country.

I think that's a fantastic idea. It could be #7, no doubt.

[ambrose]

I have yet to hear a single Muslim unequivocally denounce the WTC attack. Not one. They always will say "yet it is bad, but Israel..." "Yes, but America..." It is always "yes, but..."

[bluebeowulf]

Excellent idea. I've been saying, since the 11th, that a very public renunciation of the specific horrors as well as a general show of support for US interests would do a great deal. I, too, think the calls for restraint are, so far, unnecessary.

[Joe 6-pack]

I supervise a Muslim Pakistani at work who would eagerly sign up for this...

He, and my Korean born wife, are probably far more cognizant of the freedoms afforded by this country than the vast majority of native born, "Americans." (sometimesthetruthhurts...)

[Skip Ripley]

Quite right! Here in Ohio the most vocal supporters of Islam have been Christians. I've heard plenty of ministers explaining that the terrorists do not represent the Islamic faith, but I haven't heard too many Muslims say it. I haven't heard ANY of their leaders say it.

I have heard them express their concerns about the potential for violence being directed at THEM. I haven't heard them express any concern re future attacks against non Muslims.

I'm beginning to think that this notion that the terrorists don't represent the mainstream of Islam is false...

[goodieD]

Bump! What really gets me are all the lies circulating about the Koran, that it's a loving book, something akin to the New Testament,knowing full well that most non-muslims won't take the time to check it out for themselves.

[Antoninus]

I am an observant Catholic, and I therefore oppose abortion. But when an abortion doctor is shot, do you think I would get positive media attention if I made statements like "this wouldn't happen if he didn't perform abortions?"

A brilliant point. Similar equivocation from muslims and the far left should be similarly intolerable!

[Roscoe]

Then immediately free the great hero Jonathan Pollard as a demonstration of America's solidarity with the greatest ally in all of recorded history. Provide all and complete intelligence gathered without restriction by our FBI, CIA, NSA, et al to the Mossad. Allow all Mossad agents to operate freely in the U.S. without any restrictions whatsoever. If they need to selectively target troublemakers in America it is to be permitted.

This tragedy has brought a number of Jew-haters out into the open.