The Visit My Mosque day comes amid rising anti-Muslim sentiments in the United Kingdom. They’re the champions we cheer for – from Muhammad Ali to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
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CAIR has tracked a growing number of attacks on mosques and on individuals in the months following the Paris terrorist attack and the shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California.
Ibrahim Hooper from CAIR said: “I don’t think there’s ever been this level of fear and apprehension in the Muslim-American community”. The honoree that evening will be New York State Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood), who has recently spoken up emphatically about protecting the rights of Muslim Americans in the face of attacks-from pundits and politicians, and from those have shouted bigoted remarks or vandalized mosques.
When any part of our American family is made to feel isolated or targeted, it tears at the very fabric of our nation. “And the notion that they would be filled with doubt and questioning their places in this great country of ours at a time when they’ve got enough to worry about – it’s hard being a teenager already – that’s not who we are”.
During the open days, introductions to Islam and explanations on Muslim community activities will be offered, as well as opportunities to see prayers and guided tours.
The Rev. Franklin Graham denounced President Barack Obama’s recent visit to a mosque in Maryland, declaring that “Islam can not save anyone”.
Muslim Americans “keep us safe” as police, firefighters, intelligence officers and members of the military who “fight and bleed and die for our freedom”, Obama said. So, we can not just stand by and watch as our Muslim neighbours are victimised or marginalised.
Obama stated that hate crimes must be reported and punished. But most liberals, as you know, won’t even allow that terrorism and extremism have something to do with Islam. We must never give them that legitimacy.
He said there was such hatred among Muslims around the world towards Americans that it was necessary to rebuff them en masse, until the problem was better understood. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of “Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now”, wrote that insisting that Islam has nothing to do with violence makes it impossible to discuss and change the intolerant, outdated and violent teachings that do exist in Muslim texts. That betrays our values. It helps our enemies recruit.
An additional 11 percent believe that “most” or “almost all” Muslims are anti-American. This is not some clash of civilizations between the West and Islam; it’s a struggle within Islam, between the peace-loving majority and a radical minority. Numerous president’s ideas about “tolerance”, in fact, are antithetical to the American experience, not something to celebrate.
“It is important also to recognize, do you want to talk about religious discrimination in America?” I am unable to recollect where any muslim had anything to do with the creation of America’s greatness. He would have explained that no one in American politicians is plotting to kick Muslims out of the country.
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The president also spoke at length about the history of religious freedom in America, saying that the First Amendment protects religion from the state but also protects the state from those who would use religious animosity for their own ends. We are, and must always remain, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
