American Muslims Are Americans. Let's Act Like It

Opinion Journal ^ | September 14, 2001 | Tarek E. Masoud

[jokemoke]

Are Americans.

Let's Act Like It.

Friday, September 14, 2001 12:01 a.m. EDT There's a famous photo of a Japanese-owned grocery store in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor with these words emblazoned across the front: "I AM AN AMERICAN." It accurately encapsulates the way many of us in the Islamic and Arab community feel at this hour. As it becomes ever more apparent that our co-religionists have visited slaughter upon our compatriots, so many of us want to declare from the rooftops our allegiance to this great nation, to show our solidarity with our fellow citizens, and to join the fight against our common enemy.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

Bump.

[super175]

bump

[Jalapeno]

It is time for the Muslim community to join this country, or they will be forever seperated.

Unfortunately, at times it appears that this is what they want.

[Vince Ferrer]

Another bump

[undergroundwarrior]

I hear Muslims say they are tearful over the attacks. They say the attacks are wrong. They say they are not responsible and are a peaceful people. How many Muslims have called for justice? How many Muslims have called for the destruction / eradication / extermination of these sons of satan???

If a Christian or Jew was responsible for these acts, Christians and Jews would be calling for swift justice.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I see the Muslim community as being a brotherhood. They will not condemn their evil brothers???

[Chairman Fred]

God Bless Mr. Masoud and those like him. (It's about time you spoke up!)

[StoneColdGOP]

Ping.

[Bush2004]

How many Arab Americans have been donating blood, making monetary contributions, raising a flag, etc...? James Sogby - Arab American Institute --> Inquiring minds would like to know!

[Arkinsaw]

I admire the sentiments. But the best things that Arab-Americans can do is to go above and beyond.

1) Speak out daily against these hijackers of Islam. Curse them, condemn them, loudly and at every opportunity. Don't just respond. Take the lead in condemning them.
2) When passing through security checks at airports don't make the authorities racially profile you, do it yourself. You know that these terrorists are primarily Arabs and that authorities will be interested simply to protect the country. Volunteer information, ask them if you can assist.
3) Report any non-citizens who behave suspiciously or make anti-US statements in your mosques or communities. Keep your own house clean.
4) Be careful of the Yay-hoos out there.

Someday we may get into a war with a caucasian nation. You will be clear during that one. Its not done out of racial hate, its done out of racial reality.

[Bush2004]

"They will not condemn their evil brothers?" Hmmm, where has this rang true before? C-L-I-N-T-O-N I am right with you on this one. James Sogby needs to convince me that Arab Americans really are acting like Americans because I've seen no evidence of it yet.

[Osinski]

I would feel more comfortable if all non-American arabs were deported.

[TheDon]

Make it your duty to go out of the way to reassure any Americans of Mid-East Ethnic, or religious, background, that you think it is wrong for anyone in America to treat them as though they had something to do with this attack.

We must not repeat the travesty of the Japanese Internment during WWII.

[a_witness]

Like the New Yorkers who even now are volunteering in greater numbers than relief workers can make use of, it is time for American Muslims to start acting like Americans. Mr. Masoud is a graduate student at Yale.

Yes, and the real test is how many of them provide INTEL on the Moslems who have infiltrated our nation to murder us.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Perhaps a bit off topic but I can't resist.

In my neighborhood, all around, businesses are flying the Colors or have put up signs of support and the like. In the midst of this outpouring there are five Arab owned/operated conventient stores and gas stations. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS FLOWN THE AMERICAN FLAG OR MADE ANY EFFORT WHATSOEVER TO DEMOSTRATE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE ATTACK OR TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR AMERICA. This is in striking contrast to the many oriental owned businesses that are flying flags or have just put a hand written poster of support in their windows. Perhaps I'm over-sensitive right now but it really ticks me off.

/End rant

[ao98]

great points
5) Turn into the FBI all people you know that have given more than 10$ to the PLO, hezbela, Ben Leden, Kafafi, Iran or any other terrorists.

[BurkeanCyclist]

[neutrino]

Good post.

Here's the fatwa I would need to see before I start believing they're really against Oscuma bint Larden:

On that basis, and in compliance with God's order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill Osama bin Ladin and his allies -- civilians and military -- is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it, in order to liberate Islam from the grip of a murderous terrorist and his satanic followers, and in order for them to be defeated and unable to threaten any person anywhere.

When I see this hypothetical fatwa activated, I'll start to reconsider certain opinions. Until then, they remain.

[a_witness]

Make it your duty to go out of the way to reassure any Americans of Mid-East Ethnic, or religious, background, that you think it is wrong for anyone in America to treat them as though they had something to do with this attack.

No, watch them carefully to see what they do. Protect them as you would any American citizen but watch them carefully. We must not repeat the travesty of the Japanese Internment during WWII.

This day of infamy was carried out by Islamic Terrorists from within. It differs entirely from Pearl Harbor in that respect. One would be foolish to discount the public reports that there are hundreds of these Terrorist cells operating in America. I'll give you a clue. They are not hiding out and receiving support in your local synagogues.

[RightWinger]

If American Muslims act like Americans, I will treat them like Americans.
If they don't, I won't.