The Backstory:
Growing up, politics was completely an invisible subject in my life. I spent my earlier years not knowing the difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party --- I had incorrectly believed it was something much simpler -- just two people with completely different opinions vying for the same post. It is safe to say that I had no party influence from the beginning.
When I turned ten, I wanted to be one of those two people. I had this extreme sense of patriotism that often seemed embarrassing for both my family and friends. I likened the fourth of July to my second birthday, and in fact, enjoyed it more. I cannot say much has changed from then and now, except the fact that I no longer have any interest in becoming a politician or anything of the sort.
At the age of twelve, I began going to the polls with my parents and soon enough, election days were added to my list of "holidays." Most kids at that age cannot wait to learn to drive or have their sweet sixteen, but I was the clear aberration: all I wanted was to be able to vote.
High school was the perfect outlet for me to unwind. I was elected as vice president to a class of five hundred, and re-elected to be their vice president until senior year. I became active with numerous clubs within my school, and found my voice. I spoke against Governor Chris Christie's budget cuts, and was adamant on having our school budget passed. I was able to organize a "Rock the Vote" event that featured our state senator, Barbara Buono and I personally mailed out 143 voter registration ballots. I became known as a student activist -- someone who once passionate about a cause or subject would, frankly, never shut up.
And now...
Soon enough, I knew where I stood. I learned I was a progressive and consistently allied myself with liberals -- and so, declared myself a Democrat once I turned eighteen (this past February). Although allied with a party, I do not vote blindly. I have to do my own research, before I "endorse" my own candidate -- and it is for this reason why I have been watching the Republican presidential hopefuls so closely. If a Republican candidate seems worthy, then I would support him/her. Unfortunately, especially with these recent debates, I am losing faith in the contenders the GOP has put out.
Last night's debate has hit me the hardest. American Muslims were a topic. Here is another thing about me: I am an American Muslim, and damn proud of it. In fact, I even started to wear the hijab, the headcovering, this past August on my own accord (a note: I was not forced) -- but that is a subject that deserves another blog post.
Herman Cain was already a thorn in my backside. His anti-Muslim comments were made without feeling and without justification. Just a couple of days ago, it was released on how he was relieved that his doctor who sported the name, Dr. Abdallah, was not Muslim. My reaction to that was: "What if he was? Would... he then deny treatment for the man who was attempting to help him?" I know if I was getting treatment, I would focus on the quality of treatment I was receiving, rather than the belief systems of the doctor and nurses around me.
Then of course, Herman Cain's comment in March, on how he would not appoint a Muslim to his cabinet or as a judge because he did not feel comfortable, really hit home. I have given my backstory: it is clearly evident that I am as passionate about this country as none other. I dress up not for Halloween but for the fourth of July. That should speak volumes about my own character. But when there exists a candidate, who blatantly says to the media that he would not trust a Muslim in his cabinet -- well, then that shows disrespect to American Muslims, and becomes a huge blow to my pride. I must have lived under a blanket because there was a point when I had sincerely believed that I could become... something in the political sphere. This, of course, I learned to be a distant dream.
Rick Santorum. Enough said. During CNN's National Security debate, he pointed to focus on Muslims (with the word, "obviously" preceding). Ron Paul's response was key: "That's digging a hole for ourselves. What if they look like Timothy McVeigh?" Terrorism is an awful, horrible thing -- but it is not endorsed by any religion -- and I think all of the GOP contenders but Ron Paul simply do not understand that fact (do not assume now, that I support Ron Paul). Some say the GOP targets Muslims because they are looking for a scapegoat. But why? "Islamophobia" is not necessary, and as a young, American Muslim -- I can say for a fact, that these contenders are just worsening the conditions. I'll tell you something. I'm not scary, I promise. But, both these candidates and some parts of the media brandish Muslims as the enemy -- but we are not. I am not.
Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali -- these are all household names. These are also some notable American Muslims from our own history. Names like Muhammad, then, were not considered a threat. Unfortunately, now I see people cringe when they hear any Muslim sounding name (like, Mr. Cain, here). It should not be any different now.
I think the GOP often forgets that Muslims started immigrating to this country in the 1880's, and that America has been their home for decades. We have not just come in the past decade -- we have been here, so when hurtful comments pressed by random passersby (and by anonymous posters) say something along the likes of "Go back to your country" -- how am I to respond? This has been my home, and will always be.
My only hope now is to clear up misconceptions.
Follow Ammaarah Khan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ammaarahk
Abdur Rahman:
"Young lady, Muslims came here on the slave ships. Muslims
sailed to America before Columbus. If you are going to discuss
American Muslim history, please line up your ducks and get your
facts straight. Indian Muslims came later. African Muslims were
here way before the 1800s."
A very moving piece. You are what I put my hope in when I think of the future of America. I know so many young people who have your passion for justice and democracy, and who are engaged in the political process, including my own kids. You are an inspiration to me. I want to tell you that in me, you have a friend. I admire your beautiful faith tradition. I have read the Qur'an and studied Islam, much to my edification and enlightenment. I always attend Eid celebrations and al-Fitr diners, but those are not the days you will find me at mosque. I number number many Muslims among my friends. If only the mass of Americans would go to a mosque, meet Muslims, learn what Islam is really about, not from Fox News or Glenn Beck or extremist politicians and Christians. These bigoted haters engage in a magic trick of warped propaganda and preach that Islam is a "religion" and in their own fanatical hatred want to limit or deny your rights under the Constitution and Bill of Rights, deport you, launch nuclear strikes on Mecca and Medina. Please stay strong.Maybe you will be our first Muslim President.
Warm regards,
Bud Polk
The corporate media collusion in their efforts should not be overlooked.
Our leadership reflects the worst parts of our society, a bitter bunch who triumph in others misery whilst collecting their scrip from the 1%. They care nothing for the average voter.They use fear as a weapon wielding it with pleasure in some Orwellian nightmare from which there is no escape. It is time for a constitutional convention to reign in these pretenders and return our nation back to the people. America cannot afford another 4 years of misery, we need fundamental change.
She is happy being a second class citizen with no rights to vote or publicly express her opinion etc, she is also happy that her daughters will not receive neither the same education or the same treatment than her son's will get.
Is that what you are saying?
I'll say: how can there be love in a home when the greatest love giver, the mother, is treated as a second class citizen, humiliated, segregated and so on. I also ask. could it be that by suppressing the freedom of expression of this great love giver you are also suppressing love in general and perhaps that's the reason for so much turmoil in the Islamic society?
There will always be men that try to restrict women to secondary roles, and I'm seeing FAR too much of that right here at home from the fundie republican-corporate minions trying to sell the USA to the highest bidder.
Kevin Chamow
I respect your desire to practice your religion and live in the US like everybody else. It is wrong for the GOP candidates to make anti-muslim comments in the debates or deny your human rights in any way.
Having said that, note that everywhere where Muslims are a majority, they have wiped out non-Muslim minorities. Case in point: Pakistan. When Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947, nearly 30% of it's population was non-Muslim. Today it's 1%. What happened to all those people? They were either forced to convert or leave. Same thing is happening in Bangladesh today. There are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. If someone writes a cartoon of the prophet, they try to kill him. Coptic Christians are under assault in Egypt. I can go on and on, without even mentioning terrorism.
My point is, you guys (moderate Muslims) never do anything to change this dynamic and then you complain when some other majority community (slightly) mistreats you, when the offenses of your fellow Muslims against other communities are far worse. This is why there is Islamophobia in non-Muslim countries. Have you ever done anything about this?
What about Indonesia? The country with the largest Muslim population in the world guarantees religious freedom, and with the exception of a few incidents of terrorism (just as many western countries have had), populations from different religions live peaceably together. The Indonesian Muslims have not wiped out their Christian or Hindu countrymen.
==
Well, you have a lot of allies in that effort.
Including me.
http://clarifyingislam.com/
I'm not Muslim. I'm just pro-fact and anti-prejudice.