Obama’s “Muslim Problem”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
07/06/2008
By Kamran Memon
Some American Muslims are upset with Sen. Barack Obama. He meets with various religious communities, but he has declined to meet with major Muslim organizations. He visits many houses of worship, but he has avoided mosques.
Obama appears to be minimizing his contacts with American Muslims in an effort to undercut right-wing political opponents who claim he’s an untrustworthy closet Muslim who supports al-Qaida and hates America.
Being Muslim would be the kiss of death for a presidential candidate in post-9/11 America. A poll by the Pew Research Center showed that almost half of Americans would hesitate to vote for such a candidate. The Pew poll also found that 10 percent of registered voters believe the false rumor that Obama is Muslim.
Some American Muslims think Obama should take a strong stand against anti-Muslim sentiment in America, even if it hurts him politically. But few American Muslims seem to be willing to help Obama solve his “Muslim problem.” They don’t acknowledge that the American Muslim community has the power to improve the public standing of Islam between now and Election Day, which would help take the heat off Obama. Instead, they want Obama to do all the work.
Many Americans believe that Islam encourages violence, and they are suspicious that Islam and Muslims pose a threat to this country, according to some poll results. They hear al-Qaida calling on Muslims to kill Americans. They hear about some American Muslims being convicted of aiding al-Qaida. They read (or are told about) verses in The Recitation, i.e. the Qur’an, relating to subjects such as violence and Muslim domination, and they wonder whether Muslims are commanded to be violent and whether Muslims want to impose Islamic law on America and the rest of the world.
In response to all this, American Muslims should go beyond condemnations of terrorism and such slogans as “Islam means peace.” We should address the real, post-9/11 questions that many Americans are asking on issues that include Islamic beliefs regarding violence and totalitarianism. Mosques around the country, for example, should hold regularly scheduled public forums at which articulate Muslim scholars can provide detailed analyses of various verses from The Recitation relating to these subjects. They also can explain the mixture of religious and political grievances that have led some Muslims to react violently to decades of Western intervention in the Muslim world.
Of course, there already have been some isolated and sporadic efforts along these lines. Various Muslim groups have published materials and held occasional panel discussions explaining various verses. But these groups have not made the dissemination of this information a priority, so the vast majority of Americans have not seen these materials or heard these discussions.
American Muslims are in an ideal position to help educate our fellow Americans about Islamic beliefs on these issues, and we should not shrink from the challenge. The questions won’t go away just because we ignore them.
In fact, our community’s hesitation to answer tough questions only makes others suspicious, and it does all Americans a disservice by depriving them of the authentic information they want about Islam and Muslims at this critical time.
If American Muslims make it a priority to help educate all Americans honestly about Islamic beliefs on these issues, many of the questions will be answered, and there will be fewer tensions left festering under the surface.
And if we get our act together sometime soon, we may even be able to take some of the heat off Obama. Maybe then he would be willing to meet us half way.
Kamran Memon is the founder of Muslims For A Safe America, a Chicago-based group established in 2005 to encourage honest and informed discussion about how to make Muslims and America safer. He was a student of Sen. Barack Obama’s at the University of Chicago Law School and is a member of the Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Jack Kime said
on July 6 2008 @ 7:37 am
I read your column (in the STL P-D as “Obama’s ‘Muslim Problem’”) with interest. You are one of the few Muslim writers who has not simply presented the argument that “Islam is a peaceful religion.”
I am not Muslim, but I do read. I would not suggest that all Muslims are terrorists, but certainly, overwhelmingly, the terrorists worldwide have been Muslim. It is not enough for Muslims to apologize for the terrorism of their fellow religionists anymore than for an Irish Catholic to apologize for the Irish Catholic’s murdering of Protestants a few years ago (not excusing the retaliation of the Protestants of Northern Ireland). An apology without action is worse than no apology at all; it is hypocrisy.
You are correct in saying that Americans (i.e., non-Muslim Americans) are “suspicious.” I will pay more attention to the words of Muslims saying “peace” when Muslim leaders worldwide take the lead in denouncing and then halting terrorism, or at least offering substantial assistance in Western efforts to eliminate it.
Whether Obama is a Muslim is much less important that whether he subscribes to American traditions, values and culture which include a strong Judeo-Christian foundation. America is not simply another country in the world community. America is a nation which has a long standing tradition of acceptance of immigrants from every nation, ethnic group, language, and religion.
What America asks in return is a broad acceptance of our American ways and of those principles of freedom that make us different. Speak our language, honor our flag, and accept our system of government.
Terrorism is foreign to our traditions and our values, and if Muslims truly want to be accepted then American Muslims must take concrete steps to convince the rest of us of their sincere wish to be American, not Muslim-Americans.
Thank you for your views that do not include the usual knee-jerk defense of Islam.
Sincerely, Jack Kime, Maryville, Illinois
E.J.Goedeker said
on July 7 2008 @ 3:12 pm
I read with real interest your article “Obama’s Muslim problem” carried in today’s (July 7th) St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Thank you for taking the time to give us a very succinct and important view from you and your organization. You are certainly correct that the Muslim community has to come out of its shell and begin educating the masses of Westerners (not just Americans) about Islam, the Qur’an, Muslim life, etc., etc.. But, that will not be enough. You will also have to reject many things that are in the Qur’an because they certainly are intolerant to anyone who does not follow Islam. And, the Muslim who says he strictly follows the Qur’an will always be considered a threat because of that intolerance.
9/11 was a waking call for me. Over my 70 years I have traveled to most countries of the world but not the Middle East and Africa (my company employer was on the Arab black list because we had a textiles plant in Israel). So I said to myself Who are these Muslims, these Arabs, these followers of Islam that they can just go around killing innocent people in the name of a religion. I had to do something to explore the situation. So I took University courses, read books and read as much as I could, kept aware of what is happening currently via newspapers and magazines. As a result,I think I have much better knowledge of your world, the good and the bad. I am certain there are millions of good Muslim families around but like anywhere else there is a smaller group of fanatics who will make it difficult for everyone else.
I am certain I am not the only American who has been keenly learning more about Muslim life. That is good. We are probably in the minority. But, with that knowledge comes my comment above that, since the Qur’an is the core of Muslim life, there may not be an understanding until certain parts of the Qur’an are refuted.
Unfortunately, as I understand it, there is no central authority in the Muslim world–other than Allah himself–and consequently there are different interpretations of what the Qur’an says/means. And, there are probably many who have never studied the book and therefore are influenced by those who are considered important relaters of what is said. I have attached what I have identified as certain verses that are very intolerant and would be very disturbing to most people if Muslims devoutly believed these to be truths.
Well, I guess you get my point. Thank you again and continue with your good efforts.
E.J.Goedeker
St.Louis, MO
Anthony Tumminello said
on July 7 2008 @ 4:08 pm
Your comments were very interesting to me. I refer to the
comments concerning understanding of Islam. Your words contain
“can”, “should” “isolated efforts”, etc. I too am interested in
“When” “if” and “how” Muslims with make public and strong
statements against the Islamic words and actions we see every
day on TV, newspapers, Internet, etc. When your community is
not vocal and does not publicly disagree with al-Qaida, or Iran,
or whoever seeks to speak for Islam’s hold war of violence,
Americans are even more convinced that their opinion is right.
Your hesitation and silence speaks volumes. Maybe you are
afraid that to disagree would mean death to you also, from
certain elements. I would think it is vital that you take
whatever means possible – internet blogs, public debate or
educational forums of Christian vs Islamic beliefs, TV programs,
books and such, because your people obviously suffer from
misconceptions in this country. I have many questions also that
I would like to see answered, but it seems that the only ones
speaking for Islam are the violent ones. It seems that we will
only have “peace” when the Moslems have killed off all people in
the world who don’t believe what they believe. If that is true,
this war of religions will never end. How sad.
Anonymous said
on July 10 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Non-Muslim Americans aren’t evil. They don’t even hate us. I believe many of them just don’t know us. And, as individuals .. as communities … we need to step up and hold ourselves accountable. I don’t think we, as American Muslims, should just sit back and allow our organizations or community leaders to shoulder the responsibility – that responsibility belongs to each of us. More power to all of you who are doing it – now, here’s to all the rest!
H Snyder said
on July 10 2008 @ 6:52 pm
A person can hardly question the words but the deeper truth is why have not the moderate Muslims taken strong action, not words, to bring justice down on the heads of their terrorist brethren? Oh they say, but we have! True, but only when it affects the safety of the ruling party in a Muslim Country!
Few there be in the Western World that fully understand the Islamic religion, me foremost, though having studied the Koran off and on since 1948/9. Having lived in three Muslim countries in the 1980s, two mostly secular and the last Saudi Arabia, definitely not, it is no small secret that under Sharia Law you better keep our opinions to yourself and forgo bringing in any literature not approved by their government. It is not the Koran that is the major problem, except for denying that Jesus is the Christ and the literal son of a heavenly Father: Many agnostics and atheists do the same. In many Muslim countries the teaching is that for anyone not born and raised a Muslim is an infidel. This by radical imams, mullahs, ayatollahs.
In several Islamic countries, under Sharia Law, some tribal leaders have customs and religious practices that are abominable. In the Koran it is he who sits in the judgement seat which are the religious leaders and interpreters of right and wrong who wield the power, not secular government officials. They use their power to issue warrants of death (fatwa) on whom ever they wish when in their minds eye someone has attacked the Koran, left the faith, or openly lived contrary to the Sharia Law.
From my observations while living in Europe, Africa and the mid-east the thing most obvious is that when a population of Muslims is very, very small, all is quiet on the western front and it is live and let live. When the population becomes sizeable it is Katy bar the door. A person needs to look at the history of this planet in modern times, after A. D. 00 and realize the first intrusion on a person’s religious belief was not by the Christians but the Arabian Muslims and this with the sword: Convert or here is your head 600 – 700 A. D. Read “SWORD OF ALLAH” by A. I. Akim, a retired Pakistani General. The Arabian General, Khaleed (sp?) bin al Waleed, broke 9 swords in one battle. This man has killed more men in hand to hand combat than anyone in my knowledge of history. He would go into battle challenging the opposing leadership with “I Am The Sword of Allah” convert or die; he never lost. One exception, he lost his only battle to Muhammud early on in his career and immediately converted to Islam (spare me my head). He was most zealous in spreading the Gospel of Islam with the sword, not only on the Arabian Peninsula but into Persia – Iran and Babylon- Syria. He was finally defrocked by a noble religious leader who realized that Khaleed was taking too much honor unto himself and was probably in it more for self gratification (killing) than converting the infidels. He was denounced and retired from the Army.
Dorothea Duba said
on July 11 2008 @ 4:32 pm
Thank you for writing the above article. I have to admit that I am very very apprehensive and don’t understand the religion ‘Islam’ and I have tried to by reading about it.
I have mixed feelings concerning Muslims coming to this country. I have this feeling that the whole purpose is to change our way of life. As a woman, I also resent what I perceive is the attitude toward women by Islam.
Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely hate some of the things that we Americans do and do voice my opinion of that. I also recognize that many of our “Christian”
religions and peoples have done wrong and that the “Bible” is fraught with violence. I do not live my life that way and I hope to be a good role model in that
respect.
I hope you understand that the above was written respectfully toward you, but I did think you might wish to hear from an ordinary US citizen.
Sincerely, Dorothea Duba
Arash Karami said
on July 29 2008 @ 8:43 pm
Hi Mr. Memon
I read your article ‘Obama’s ‘Muslim Problem” and enjoyed it very much. I am an Iranian American who graduated from UCLA. I have always found it very interesting that Muslims are so inactive when it comes to politics and public policy. For instance, Muslim Student Union at UCLA always held very austere and alienating rally’s, where as the Jewish groups always seemed to have more upbeat and jovial functions. I was wondering why you think this is so. Thank you.
Arash Karami
Barry said
on July 14 2009 @ 8:55 pm
As an American born Christian, it seems odd to me that Muslims hate American’s as they do. Why would people move to a country full of people they find so distasteful.
Many American soldiers have given their lives defending oppressed people around the world yet we are viewed a war mongers.
Our economy has flourished, providing income for people of all beliefs, to feed their families, yet America, who is made up of people not things, is viewed as evil and worthy of constant ridicule.
It seems to me that if Muslims had their way, then the entire world would be exterminated of all non Muslim people.
This is not the case for America. We hold these truths, that all men are created equal, and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; unlike most of the people we have freed around the world that live under dictators and oppression. Where, I ask the Muslim, do you get that you are the only faithful and the world is your enemy. If it is your religion that teaches you this then you have been deceived and the love of God is not in you. I say this to anyone, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc. Love is what binds man and heals wounds, not hate and division.
Isn’t it time for the world to realize that we are all in this together and that we are all living, breathing, individuals with common interests. Jesus Christ, of whom I follow, tells me that I am to love my neighbors as well as those who persecute me. I don’t see this in the speech of the Muslims. I only hear hate and degradation, us and them, separation and division.
Satan is winning when he is able to plant seeds of separation in the minds of God’s people, of which we all are, like it or not, we are all created by God. There is but one true God so shouldn’t we band together as human beings and try to discover who God really is instead of thinking that we have some God given right to judge and dictate what God thinks.
I serve a God that doesn’t require me to work for my place in heaven after this life is over and any religion that teaches contrary to this is simply going against God’s plan for mankind and has Satan at its core. I have heard it said that if a Muslim man dies while killing an enemy (American) such as in the 9-11 incidents, then he is guaranteed a place in paradise and is given a host of virgins with which to enjoy. I can’t think of anything more immoral and self centered for any human being, religious or not, to choose as a worthwhile endeavor. What does this say about women, especially the wives of those who have engaged in such heinous acts? It says that their husbands never loved them and that women are nothing more than sexual property and that devotion means nothing.
God tells us that we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. In other words, we are to show true love and devotion to our wives and treat them with respect, not like object to be discarded once we enter eternity.
I have a guide that I follow in choosing my faith in God and that is simply; if any religion has at its core, a self seeking motive for the believer, then it is contrary to God and therefore should be rejected. On the other hand, if your belief has the entire human race at the center of God’s love and self isn’t an issue, then and only then can one assume this to be the true heart of God.
May the peace of God that passes all understanding be bestowed on all men!
Barry Sowell
Friend
John said
on June 22 2010 @ 11:07 pm
I say to all Muslims who say they are peaceful, then you should be the ones who take a stand against the Muslim extremist who kill in the name of Allah. Personally don’t try to “educate” me in the ways of a Muslim when there are those “Muslims” who hate Amercians and Christians, and wish to do away with all of us. I want to see peaceful Muslims marching in the streets, peacefully, against their own brothern, trying to put a stop to all this violence. When I watch the news, all I see are Muslims who are protesting our Constitution, our leaders, especially President Bush, and other Government run entities, fighting for your rights, all the while there are your brothers in the faith who are killing or at the least wish to destroy us. When I see the peaceful Muslims do this then maybe I’ll be more open to listening to your faith. But for now, the Muslim faith if followed by the book, is a violent one. Please prove me wrong!