Most of those opposed to the Park51 Muslim cultural center -- known as the "Ground Zero mosque" despite being neither a mosque nor at Ground Zero -- have understandable apprehensions about Muslims. The questions raised by opponents of the cultural center deserve clear, unambiguous answers about Islam in America. That's the least we as Muslim Americans can do for our fellow citizens.
1. What about Sharia (Islamic law) in the U.S.?
If what you mean by Sharia is what is practiced in the Muslim world -- no! Many Muslims fled the Muslim world because of corrupt regimes, injustice, misogyny, and downright discourtesy. I love the Muslim peoples throughout the world, and to borrow from Thomas Jefferson, my heart trembles for the Muslim world when I reflect that God is just. Sharia, to me, means living up to God's will of establishing justice. It is driven by five noble goals (as agreed upon uniformly by Muslim scholars throughout the ages), namely to secure and promote individuals' rights to life, expression, faith, property and family. When we see stoning of women in Afghanistan or Nigeria, or child marriages in the Arabian Peninsula, that is not Sharia. It is an exploitation of Islam to oppress people, especially women. (See Abusing Women, Abusing Islam.)
In reality, the U.S. Constitution fulfills my obligation as a Muslim to achieve the five principles of Sharia. When I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, I make a pledge with God to uphold liberty and justice for all. Among our vast challenges today as Muslim Americans is the urgent need to develop a corpus of thinking and action that promotes a progressive approach to applying Islam in the modern era. We must find a way to keep the principles but do away with customs, cultural biases, and archaic traditions.
2. Are Muslims a liability or an asset to our national security?
Al Qaeda's ideologically driven violence has been rejected by Muslim Americans. We aim to promote and protect life, to enrich and enlighten our pluralistic societies, to promote constructive engagement with others, and to preserve God's will of racial, ethnic, and religious diversity. What Al Qaeda stands for is a cult of domination and death, leading them to send young people to die as an expression of their anger and victimhood, while its leaders sit on their empty thrones of self-righteousness. Muslim Americans have worked diligently to form partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement. We suffered with all other Americans on 9/11, and several hundred Muslims were killed at or around the Twin Towers when they were attacked by 19 terrorists.
3. Where's the funding of Muslim organizations coming from?
My organization, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, only accepts donations from American citizens and residents. If a foreign group or government wants to financially support us, we decline. We have done this since our inception more than 20 years ago because we want to preserve our Muslim American identity and maintain our intellectual independence from any foreign influence. Our challenge as Muslim Americans is to ensure complete financial transparency and accountability to our American constituents. The board of Park51 may not follow our policy, but that's their prerogative. They have at least committed to an audit of all financial transactions to ensure that no funds come from anti-American sources.
4. Is terrorism ever justified?
No. Terrorism is evil. You need to see a new video featuring nine major Muslim American religious leaders, entitled "Injustice Cannot Defeat Injustice." Yet, when terrorists tape video messages from the caves of Afghanistan or the jungles of Somalia, they get free publicity in all US markets. When we condemn terrorism, it is barely recognized. Regardless, our job as Muslim Americans is to state clearly our loyalty to America and our commitment to serve her interests.
5. Are Muslims anti-American and anti-Israel?
No. We Muslim Americans aspire to see democracy flourishing and human rights restored throughout the Middle East. Democracy and human rights are pleasing to God; dictatorship and oppression are not. We oppose any military option to resolve the conflicts in the Middle East. We support non-violent resistance to Israel's ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories. We do not seek Israel's destruction. We are concerned about the destruction of Palestine and the deterioration of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. It is the ongoing destruction wreaked by war that is radicalizing the region along with ideological violence that is causing so much suffering to innocent people.
These answers are intended to help elucidate our religious, social and political views. It is intended to promote a future of mutual respect, not mutual suspicion. I hope that the Park51 Muslim cultural center issue is resolved amicably between the sponsors of the project and the local community in Manhattan. As for the overarching issues involving Islam in America, they will need further discussion. If you wish, you may email me at salam@mpac.org to continue this dialogue. I only ask that you be polite and constructive.
Follow Salam Al Marayati on Twitter: www.twitter.com/salampacker
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Thank you for your patriotic American response. Many of us non-Muslims have genuine fears of Sharia law and versions of it. The other day I was watching a TV program out of NYC, and a Muslim man was bragging how he had several wives in NYC, and how Sharia law was coming to America whether we liked it or not. You can understand my concern about such arrogance.
I think we need to segregate military groups like HAMAS from the Muslim faith. This is a critical area where American Muslims need to speak up loudly.
I found your article enlightening. I look forward to hearing more from you and other responsible Muslims.
Rubbish. If most do not support Hamas, how the hello they get elected? Perhaps, they condemn in their sleep. Even Rauf refused to condemn Hamas.
Do you happen to know where the money was coming from?
and what about hamas? do you see their hand in the "ongoing destruction wreaked by war that is radicalizing the region along with ideological violence that is causing so much suffering to innocent people."?
not a mosque ? then you need to tell Sharif El-Gamal, CEO of Soho Properties and developer of Park51 cause he thinks it is a mosque needed for space for lower Manhattan’s growing Muslim population
"LLUME speaks with Sharif El-Gamal, CEO of Soho Properties and developer of Park51, who addresses the concerns raised by the plan's opponents.
How did you first conceive of the idea of a facility like Park51 for Lower Manhattan?
For seven years, we had been looking for a space for lower Manhattan’s growing Muslim population. There were mosques in the neighborhood, some operating for decades, but they were becoming too small."
If the public is not ready for this, if this is likely to result in violence and even more biases and resentment, I don't see how building in the location is positive or even how it can possibly build understanding. The time is wrong and the location is wrong, and I wonder what those building the community center are thinking, and I'm amazed they don't understand.
It is very close to a location of tragedy, and the wounds are far from healed. I believe that those responsible for choosing the site should be more sensitive, regardless of the misinformation surrounding this situation. If they wanted to invest money to create understanding, they should do so with a gentle public information campaign, not a building that represents a culture to which people (wrongly or rightly) have a knee jerk reaction. This seems to beg for violent reactions.
What do you think?
Would you want your rights to be decided by "gut reaction?" Rights are rights whether they are convenient or not. Protecting our rights requires protecting other people's rights as well.
#1: What about Sharia (Islamic law) in the U.S.?
If other Western countries serve as examples, there won't be any pressure to apply Sharia UNTIL Muslims represent a sufficient percentage of the population.
Another factor is the influence of Saudi Arabia (Google Wahabbism) through the funding of Muslims communities.
#2: Are Muslims a liability or an asset to our national security?
The number one reason given by Bin Laden for 9/11 is the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden found justification in the Koran itself.
Nidal Hasan the Fort Hood killer said "you're not supposed to have alliances with Jews or Christian, and if you are killed in the military fighting against Muslims, you will go to hell."
The Times Square (failed) bomber, Faisal Shahzad's stated that the car bomb was revenge for drone attacks on Taliban in Pakistan.
I don't believe in the development of homegrown organized terrorism but in individuals snapping and going on a killing spree for reasons they will find in the Koran.
#3: Where's the funding of Muslim organizations coming from?
I command the Muslim Public Affairs Council for its policies. What is crucial is to keep Saudi money from being invested in the US to promote Wahabbism (medieval Islam).
#4: Is terrorism ever justified?
I can only agree here.
In addition, suicide is one of the worst sins any Muslim can commit.
#5:Are Muslims anti-American and anti-Israel?
I think overwhelmingly not anti-American.
Security risk or not - we are a nation founded on religious freedom. Islam says - if you are a guest in a nation, you follow their laws. They should all practice what they preach.
Just looking at this situation ... fly on the wall ... it's starting to look frightening. I wouldn't be surprised if these people who are "opposing" all things muslim ... dream up some red, white, and black flag - and start setting up rallies in local bars ( beer halls? ). Followed by a national bigoted talk-radio host organized "protest" of smashing windows of muslim-owned properties.
History repeats itself.
Just a different victim in this case.
Do you want to compare the condition of Muslims in the US to the condition of non-Muslims in Muslim countries?
"if you are a guest in a nation, you follow their laws" I agree. But here is what happens today in the UK. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mlxMndnlzw.
I also gave you 3 famous examples of Muslims who attacked Americans in the name of Allah, What more do you need?
Let me repeat: I don't believe in the development of homegrown organized terrorism but in individuals snapping and going on a killing spree for reasons they will find in the Koran.
#3 point of clarification, Wahabism is not medieval, it is only about 400 years old, and is a reform movement. Though I do agree that the quicker it dies, the happier I'll be.
2:191 "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers."
#3: You're correct. Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab, lived in the 18th century. It was indeed a reform movement intending to to purify Islam of what were considered "innovations".
As for the Cultural Center situation, It's become a game of poker, and both sides have a bad hand they're trying to bluff their way through. Not all Muslims weren't asked if they wanted a center there, but since some folks are using the opportunity to oppose the center using hate as their argument, it's only natural that you're gonna get a first amendment fight. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if another location is found and agreed to behind closed doors. Just wait. Then both sides can fold their cards and save some face.
Honestly, using Shariah as a reason to oppose a Muslim cultural center? How exactly is that going to happen? First we allow Muslims to live here, then they'll over-populate, take over the House, Senate, Supreme Court AND the White House, then change the Constitution? Really? Muslims can't even agree on when Ramadan starts!
So funny and so true. The two ladies down the hall were actually arguing about it just before it started this year. I thought to my self "and these are the people we are supposed to be trying to take over the country, they can't agree on when their own holidays are"
Is it wise? Maybe not.
IF imam Rauf does what he says he will do, this should be a great place for people to meet, learn and communicate.
My prediction is that a few years from now everyone will have forgotten this useless debate. As a family, we enjoy both the local YMCA and the local Jewish community center, why not a Muslim community center?