A Question
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
In the Name of God The Merciful The Compassionate
It has been almost half a year now since I said I would publish my blog entry about Science, Religion and the West. It sits in the hard drive of my laptop gathering cyber-dust, incomplete. I literally think about it every day, and I tell myself every day that I must sit down and finish it. Being in the hospital, taking care of things in our new residence, fitting in some studies in Arabic and visiting family, keeps you busy.
With the recent events in Lebanon and now the thwarted terror attack on London, I find myself wondering, "Would there even be any benefit in my writing about 'Science, Religion and the West' anymore?" The other day I was walking through the Operating Suite in the hospital where I am currently stumbling through my third year medical rotations, looking for the resident that I was supposed be with for the upcoming case. I stopped at the main desk, where two nurses were stationed. One of them was Indian, the other, Caucasian. The conversation went something like this:
"Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Dr. Solnik?", I asked being fully aware of my status as 'bottom of the food chain' med-student. After a two-second blank stare and awkward silence, the Indian nurse replied. "She was just here, she's around here somewhere." After another brief pause, the nurse asked, "Who are you?" I gave my standard response to the question: "I'm the medical student." Both the nurses leaned forward simultaneously to look at the ID tag hanging from the front pocket of my scrub shirt. The Indian nurse said quizzically, "Your name is Saleem? Are you Muslim?" (which I must admit caught me off guard, I wasn't used to hearing people asking me if I'm Muslim). I stated proudly and happily, "Yes, I am." It was at this point that I just so happened to glance at the Caucasian nurse's face only to be deeply disturbed. My conversation with the Indian nurse continued for a few more seconds, but all I could think of was the expression on the other nurse's face. I can't quite put my finger on it, but anyone reading this should know that if pictures can speak a thousand words, then facial expressions can speak many more. She actually looked afraid, suspicious and disgusted all at once. With her eyes wide open, she stared at my light brown and bearded face and without saying a word told me, "I can't believe that you are a Muslim. I can't trust you. How could you? What are you up to? What is wrong with you?" The words penetrated my skin and shot through to my heart faster than any surgeon's knife could. An abysmal sadness overtook my being, one which I was only able to shake off by reminding myself of some verses of the Qur'an while I was in the OR later on that day. Sadness because simply my being Muslim, something that I hold to be dearer than my very life, something that permeates every moment of my day and every aspect of my being, something that is so beautiful and brings so much peace and tranquility to so many human beings around the world, seemed so horrid and dreadful to this woman. Mind you I am not one of those paranoid Muslims, the type that believe that everyone is out to get them, that every second person they meet could possibly be an FBI agent, or that they couldn't get their job because the interviewer was Jewish. Nor am I the "Woe is me I'm Muslim in America" type, the ones who constantly talk about how difficult it is to be Muslim in post-WTC America and think that everyone on the street hates them because they're brown or their name is Ahmed. This all being said, this woman's fearful reaction to me for the simple reason that I was Muslim is what disturbed me. How many others are there that perhaps would not display it on their face, but have a voice of fear or suspicion or disgust within themselves? How many people are there who will fear or for that matter hate a Muslim because of what they see on the news every day in their living rooms? Because of the actions of a deranged and twisted few in a sea of one billion, how many will grow up teaching their children that "those people" are the ones you have to stay away from? And, in the end, what will my writing about "Science, Religion and the West" do for the situation?
In reality, the question has nothing to do with writing a blog entry or not. The question is, what must be done to address this situation? This was not the first time I was made aware by someone that Muslims aren't at the top of everyone's dinner guest list, nor is this the first time the question has crossed my mind. It is, however, the first time I decided to take advantage of a place as public as a blog to start working with many others find an answer to the above question. I don't want to hear, "brother, we must perfect our character to show the non-Muslims how good we are," because that doesn't make sense to me. We should all be working on our character all the time, as part of a given of our existence. In addition, we shouldn't be doing it to "make" anyone like us or "show" anyone "how good we are". That wasn't the reason the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did it. His blessed character was a function of his love of God. He, peace and blessings be upon him, didn't help the orphan or forgive someone who wronged him because he thought, "If I do this he will come to Islam", he did so because it was what God wanted of him, it was because God has granted all human beings the incredible ability to have the potential to know Him and this confers such an exalted status on the human that we are obliged before God to give our best to each other. All human beings have a spirit, and this spirit is so precious that it must always be honored regardless of whether the individual that it enlivens believes in it, in God or in anything else for that matter. Having established that being good to your fellow humans is not supposed to be an exercise in public relations, I bring the question to you again. What actions do we take? Might I have the audacity to once again tell you which answer is unacceptable? A one-time event, conference, or seminar that teaches non-Muslims about Islam. I am looking for an answer that takes the long term into account. Something or some things that we can do, individually and collectively in our own communities. As Steven Covey, author of, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, puts it, something within our "sphere of influence". I do not expect to arrive at an answer that will change the world or the community in which I live or for that matter even myself overnight, but I hope, with your help, to arrive at an answer -I am sure one of many- that will help me and others to espouse a positive, realistic mind-set with the ensuing goal-oriented and well thought-out action.
In the Name of God The Merciful The Compassionate
It has been almost half a year now since I said I would publish my blog entry about Science, Religion and the West. It sits in the hard drive of my laptop gathering cyber-dust, incomplete. I literally think about it every day, and I tell myself every day that I must sit down and finish it. Being in the hospital, taking care of things in our new residence, fitting in some studies in Arabic and visiting family, keeps you busy.
With the recent events in Lebanon and now the thwarted terror attack on London, I find myself wondering, "Would there even be any benefit in my writing about 'Science, Religion and the West' anymore?" The other day I was walking through the Operating Suite in the hospital where I am currently stumbling through my third year medical rotations, looking for the resident that I was supposed be with for the upcoming case. I stopped at the main desk, where two nurses were stationed. One of them was Indian, the other, Caucasian. The conversation went something like this:
"Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Dr. Solnik?", I asked being fully aware of my status as 'bottom of the food chain' med-student. After a two-second blank stare and awkward silence, the Indian nurse replied. "She was just here, she's around here somewhere." After another brief pause, the nurse asked, "Who are you?" I gave my standard response to the question: "I'm the medical student." Both the nurses leaned forward simultaneously to look at the ID tag hanging from the front pocket of my scrub shirt. The Indian nurse said quizzically, "Your name is Saleem? Are you Muslim?" (which I must admit caught me off guard, I wasn't used to hearing people asking me if I'm Muslim). I stated proudly and happily, "Yes, I am." It was at this point that I just so happened to glance at the Caucasian nurse's face only to be deeply disturbed. My conversation with the Indian nurse continued for a few more seconds, but all I could think of was the expression on the other nurse's face. I can't quite put my finger on it, but anyone reading this should know that if pictures can speak a thousand words, then facial expressions can speak many more. She actually looked afraid, suspicious and disgusted all at once. With her eyes wide open, she stared at my light brown and bearded face and without saying a word told me, "I can't believe that you are a Muslim. I can't trust you. How could you? What are you up to? What is wrong with you?" The words penetrated my skin and shot through to my heart faster than any surgeon's knife could. An abysmal sadness overtook my being, one which I was only able to shake off by reminding myself of some verses of the Qur'an while I was in the OR later on that day. Sadness because simply my being Muslim, something that I hold to be dearer than my very life, something that permeates every moment of my day and every aspect of my being, something that is so beautiful and brings so much peace and tranquility to so many human beings around the world, seemed so horrid and dreadful to this woman. Mind you I am not one of those paranoid Muslims, the type that believe that everyone is out to get them, that every second person they meet could possibly be an FBI agent, or that they couldn't get their job because the interviewer was Jewish. Nor am I the "Woe is me I'm Muslim in America" type, the ones who constantly talk about how difficult it is to be Muslim in post-WTC America and think that everyone on the street hates them because they're brown or their name is Ahmed. This all being said, this woman's fearful reaction to me for the simple reason that I was Muslim is what disturbed me. How many others are there that perhaps would not display it on their face, but have a voice of fear or suspicion or disgust within themselves? How many people are there who will fear or for that matter hate a Muslim because of what they see on the news every day in their living rooms? Because of the actions of a deranged and twisted few in a sea of one billion, how many will grow up teaching their children that "those people" are the ones you have to stay away from? And, in the end, what will my writing about "Science, Religion and the West" do for the situation?
In reality, the question has nothing to do with writing a blog entry or not. The question is, what must be done to address this situation? This was not the first time I was made aware by someone that Muslims aren't at the top of everyone's dinner guest list, nor is this the first time the question has crossed my mind. It is, however, the first time I decided to take advantage of a place as public as a blog to start working with many others find an answer to the above question. I don't want to hear, "brother, we must perfect our character to show the non-Muslims how good we are," because that doesn't make sense to me. We should all be working on our character all the time, as part of a given of our existence. In addition, we shouldn't be doing it to "make" anyone like us or "show" anyone "how good we are". That wasn't the reason the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did it. His blessed character was a function of his love of God. He, peace and blessings be upon him, didn't help the orphan or forgive someone who wronged him because he thought, "If I do this he will come to Islam", he did so because it was what God wanted of him, it was because God has granted all human beings the incredible ability to have the potential to know Him and this confers such an exalted status on the human that we are obliged before God to give our best to each other. All human beings have a spirit, and this spirit is so precious that it must always be honored regardless of whether the individual that it enlivens believes in it, in God or in anything else for that matter. Having established that being good to your fellow humans is not supposed to be an exercise in public relations, I bring the question to you again. What actions do we take? Might I have the audacity to once again tell you which answer is unacceptable? A one-time event, conference, or seminar that teaches non-Muslims about Islam. I am looking for an answer that takes the long term into account. Something or some things that we can do, individually and collectively in our own communities. As Steven Covey, author of, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, puts it, something within our "sphere of influence". I do not expect to arrive at an answer that will change the world or the community in which I live or for that matter even myself overnight, but I hope, with your help, to arrive at an answer -I am sure one of many- that will help me and others to espouse a positive, realistic mind-set with the ensuing goal-oriented and well thought-out action.
>Saleem
posted by Mujahada at 4:03 PM
14 Comments:
asalaamualaykum
bro, ive been thinking about the answer to that question for years. I used to think my father was too paranoid about these issues, but hes right. Weve just been sheltered for too long in Muslim-friendly schools and situations and dont know how others in the world view us.
I really dont have an answer. But honestly the best that u can do and I know will do is just continue being ur humble kind-self and show that nurse ur character - and u are who are u are because of ur religion. I know that isnt what u want to hear but its all i can say for now..
Its a really tough situation bro - i feel u :(
Wa alaykum assalam Haseeb,
I too have always been aware (at least moreso after WTC) that most Americans have little if any knowledge about Islam and Muslims, this point being no one else but our fault - this was made especially apparent after the WTC. However this misunderstanding/ignorance is also rooted historically in the West, especially in the United States, so we have to deal with that fact too. I suppose it was when I sat down to start up again on my promised post (which I will still finish insha Allah) that I thought to myself, "how will this help the current state of ignorance of Islam in America?" which obviously has been getting dismally worse in the past few years.
Of course I do not deny at all what you're saying... but we are only 2.5% of the American population- if every single one of us does our best to be the best human being we could possibly be, then perhaps we would have the effect we hope for... but that is not the case, that's why I'm thinking... is there anything else?
Hmm... as much as you may not want to hear it, I still can't help but feel that the solution has to start at the grassroots level. Unfortunately you sounded almost a little like Brain in his infamous "try to take over the world!!" statement whenever asked what his plan was. I do feel that the first step is an internal one both within ourselves and within our Muslim communities. Think about Maulana Husain-- he is one man who gained a wealth of knowledge (in numerous dimensions) and then came back and slowly effected an entire community. Now, people in that busy city who come in contact with his students or other Muslims who have attneded his congregation have a good reason not to be afraid of Islam and Muslims, and rather to see them as the peace-creating beauties that they are.
So perhaps one part to the solution is institutions? Like Zaytuna? But of course those are created by individuals, which brings us back to the first point.
Hmm... maybe since the air that's blown into the fire of "the bad image of Islam" flows from the media, then more of us should get involved in the media?
=T
I still feel like all of these solutions are not what you're looking for =(
Ok, let's call Shaykh Hamza.
Wa alaykum assalam,
Actually I certainly don't want an answer that involves changing the world in one swoop - a focused, community centered attempt is what is best I think - I'm just trying to come up with something that we can come together and do, as WELL as the individual effort to make ourselves better human beings.
I heard that Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar said that essentially we are only responsible (i.e. what we will be asked about) for that which we are able to affect directly - our neighbors, our community, etc. Besides that, unless we are put in a position of leadership over a large part of the global Muslim community (which I take no one reading this blog is), we're not responsible, DIRECTLY for Muslims all over the world. Our concern and prayers should be with them, and whatever we can do for them by directly acting within our circle of influence is obviously warranted, but again, it boils down to what we can do within our circle of influence. I'm still waiting, if I think of anything I'll put it up.
We need a vision. And goals. Then we need help and united support. We have to build our communities as best we can inshaAllah. This, I believe, is what you’re asking for—a focused long-term community-centered approach. Of course, a pre-req. to this (& which continues all along) is a consistent exertion within the self to improve one’s character and dealings with all the people around you, a necessary condition to worshipping and drawing closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, the desired essence of our life.
Speaking of ‘within your sphere of influence,’ I believe this includes many things. One way to break it down would be--you, your family, your Muslim community and your non-Muslim community. Here I will begin to talk about only one of these, to get the juices in the brain flowing, and perhaps others can add as well as address the others.
If we want to create change within our Muslim community, I think it would help for each of us to first identify what ‘my community’ exactly is. Picking one, say centered around a masjid, will help focus our attention and efforts. Next identify within this community, where the problems lie. Alhamdulillah, our parents’ and grandparents’ generations (if not earlier than that) have managed to set up for us these masaajid and start in them schools and other programs. We have to now view ourselves as taking on the responsibility of making these ‘sound,’ i.e., helping them develop further. Some things that I think we need to ask and consider are the following:
-Are there programs set up for the youth? What are these programs like? [Most probably they need major help. What can I do to help?]
-Is there a knowledgable person/scholar in the community? Are their ways to get&fund one? It has to be one who is knowledgable in both deen and life in America [this might end up thrusting one in masjid politics and the like, but it’s a crucial need that has to be addressed.]
-What is the ‘cleanliness and maintenance’ situation of the masjid? What can be done to address this? How can this also be ‘taught’ to people?
All of this is so general. We can really take each thing and break it down further and come up with all sorts of tasks and find a role for ourselves. Not to mention that this is an extremely incomplete list that I am sure ppl could add a lot more to.
Hmm…another way to approach a discussion on the Muslim community is identifying the various types of Muslims, not for the purpose of invoking humor, as is often done, but rather to understand better who we are and what all has been going on within us. Then we can think about what needs to be done. You can look at immigrant non-practicing, semi-practicing & practicing Muslims, their children, in public schools, private schools, home-schooled, Muslim young adults in colleges, converts etc. etc. I feel that all Muslims in America, especially the youth, need to be proud of and confident in who they are. Then we will also be able to ‘be ourselves’ wherever we find ourselves, amidst Muslims or non-Muslims, in schools or at the workplace. Pick a group, maybe one that you understand or identify with most, and figure out what is it that is preventing this within that. Lack of knowledge? good programs? halaqas? support? discussion?
[A random thought/idea with regards to Muslim youth: have a discussion with them about what’s going on and how they feel/what they’re thinking. How do they deal with issues at school etc.? Encourage dialogue, discussion, intelligent thought and appropriate ‘Islamic’ ways to understand and deal with the world around us. They really need it. As do we.]
Each one of us is different and has diff. skills, interests, talents and strengths. It’ll help to identify these alongside with identifying what needs to be worked on in the community. Match the two. Find your role and start ‘doing.’ This is a big question that I believe has a gazillion answers, if only we put in some thought and follow it up with action, inshaAllah ta’ala. There is a huge umbrella of need, and we all need to find within it our individual focus.
I think my point in putting out all these random thoughts is that the question ‘what can I do to change the current situation?’ is not as abstract as it might feel. Each of us will have a different answer to this and we must absolutely seek it.
As salamu alaykum,
Speaking of 7 Habits, I read this quote in Sean Covey's book awhile ago.
I Wanted To Change The World
Author Unknown
"When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world."
I agree with the other comments, that really we have to begin with ourselves and slowly but surely we will affect change.
And also, today, we can reach out to so many people through the media. We need to use the 'mainstream media' to show who Muslims really are. (I say mainstream because blogs more often that not reach people with the same views as your own.)
Good luck to you... Inshallah, by the end of your residency your actions may change her views!
Asalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,
That entry really hit me. When I was 14 or 15, so think: just a few years ago, right after 9/11, I was volunteering at Stony Brook Hospital. I worked in the mother/baby unit and one day I was working with a woman in Infant Hearing and Screening. I had worked there before and never had any problems. I walked into a woman's room and launched into my speech. "Hi, I'm a volunteer from Infant Hearing and Screening.." I told the woman that I was just going down the hall. As I was talking, her eyes just kept getting wider. She looked terrified. I was a skinny 15 year old. What could I possibly do to her child? She asked for verification (you probably know we wear jackets and IDs) and looked really flustered. She gave her child a farewell kiss (trust me, I hadn't seen ANY patient look like that when I "collected" the babies) and reluctantly handed her over. I laughed about it later because I remembered it as the day that someone thought I'd steal their baby (I can't remember if she said anything else.. I distinctly have the impression that she said something that made me think that). I couldn't help but to think that it was because I was Muslim. It was a weird feeling.
Anyhow, I know you didn't want to hear this, but the first thing we can all do is have better ikhlaq. And we do this for Allah, not for other people. The reason being is obvious, but I know of people who come off with their first encounters as Muslims extolling their praises (and abandoning their stereotypes). There are others who are reminded of Allah by seeing good, practicing Muslims.. not those raving lunatics on TV.
Second, we need more media attention. No, no.. I mean the good kind. We need to write editorials to newspapers and talk about how we do not support terrorism, or how it feels being an American Muslim in light of the current circumstances or how one sided media isn't fair to those individuals who are MORE indicative of the population. I mean, basically just get your voice heard. And when we have conferences or MSA events that benefit the community (Fast a Thon, community fundraisers), get media coverage! It's all a matter of showing people that a few individuals do not represent us. I went to a high school a few months ago to speak about stereotypes about Islam (oh, you can do this as well). The brothers that were there with me all gave their two cents and we got good reviews from the students. They wanted us to come back. They wanted to learn more. And what happened? A girl came up to me (who was dating a Muslim) and asked me why we Muslims-- the "good" kind-- don't do somethign more to stop these terrorists. I looked at her like, what kind of question is that? Do you want me to sit down with bin Laden and say, "Hey! Stop killing innocents! Stop making Muslims look bad!" That won't work. I told her about how news is sensational and a few Muslims preaching peace doesn't get as much coverage as the ones killing and murdering. But I told her she was right that we need to be out in the news more. We try.. but we don't get there. The non practicing Muslims get on TV to talk about Islam. Yea, that's great.
We also need a more effective political lobby. I know this isn't directly related, but the ISraeli lobby has been very strong for a long time. And the public is sometimes reluctant to stand up for what's right if it's against their friends or not pointing a direct finger at someone. There is a Muslim lobby that is being gathered, but it has little clout.
The youth. Another problem. I echo the sentiments of the above poster. Many times we care to much about what others think of us when we don't even raise our youth to contribute something back to society. Our youth know little about Islam. Our masjids don't give them a good community. The speakers at the masjid may not speak good English, other speakers may not come. This ends up divinding the community. The children stop going to the masjid or they form their own (I specifically know a comunity in which the college students formed their own masjid). We need to retain the youth in our masjid. If they do not learn Islam, what are they going to offer to the world? Many are borderline atheist, many are disheartened by the hypocrisy of the Muslim nations of this world. They need a better footing in Islam.
Also, find what you can specifically do in a community and work at it. I work for an organization that fosters Muslim and Jewish youth dialogue. We don't seek to convert one another or talk abotu politics.. we are there for religion. The Muslims highly emphasize the similarities between the two religions and we try to dispel stereotypes on both sides. This is very important. We cannot raise a successful community if we are fostering hate. There are other masjids that have interfaith projects. Also very essential. There are some who say that we don't need to learn about other religions and that we only need to teach our own. Well, yes and no. We obviously aren't going to go back to Christianity and accept it as truth. But we do need to have a footing in these beliefs to understand these people and when people are interested in Islam, we will be able to speak in terms they understand. And it makes for a more amicable relationship.
Dua. How obvious! I know it doesn't seem like a direct response will happen, but dua is the weapon of the believer. Who knows why are Muslim brethren are being oppressed? Who knows why Islam is being given a bad name right now? Only Allah. There has to be a reason, but being human, we cannot know the Divine Reason behind it. Supplicate to Him. Revive His Deen. We should struggle to maek ourselves the best Muslims possible. Not these wishy-washy, I pray sometimes Muslims. The ones who seek knowledge of their deen and implement it in their lives. People converted upon the sight of the Prophet***. I'm not saying that we need to go convert the masses, but we need to lead by example.
And you know what, drawing yourself closer to the deen is hard. Many people will alienate themselves from you. But this is what we have to do. And treat those who harm you well. Not because you're trying to get one up on them, but because it is what the Prophet*** would do. When those people spit at them, he could have ordered them to immediately be killed. But he* didn't. When people taunted him*, he* could have done anything. But he* was patient.
However, being patient does not mean being passive. We do need to start from the grassroots level and do somethign proactive. I know my suggestions aren't concrete, but they're what I can think of right now.
May Allah keep us on the Straight Path and may He teach us sabr. May He guide us to what is best. Ameen.
Assalamu Alaikoom
I feel like Allah had placed you in this situation to see how you might react to it and what good can come out of it.
I think seriously, that Allah places his loved ones in these type of situations to build their character and give direction and purpose in their lives. Maybe my thoughts are jumping around everywhere, but perhaps this blog post is the outcome of this situation and thus ignite some discussion out there.
Personally, I would like to wreak some vengeance on your behalf, but that wouldn't help the situation, but it would help calm me down. =)
Asalamu Aliakum,
I've had my run ins with all sorts of people(including a couple of attendings I told off) when I was a med student. Dont buy the whole "I'm at the bottom fo the totem pole" rubbish they cram into your head. Medical students pay good money for these rotations and should stand up for themselves when necessary. The reason they are treated badly is because they tolerate abuse which is outside the bounds of professionalism. Its one thing to take lumps from the residents and attendings but another when you're harassed.
I never let people get away with dirty stares, particularly when I'm boarding a plane and some people start eyeballing me. "Hey buddy, see something you like? Take a picture" is my standard line and they get the message. Trust me, I know. You dont have to ask my name to figure out that I'm a Muslim. Frankly you shouldnt worry what ignorant dregs think of you as long they respect and professionalism is on, even if its superficial.
Salaams everyone,
I thank you all for your comments. They have helped tremendously. Something about the written word does wonders.
I will write a summary and some thoughts on what you've all written within the next few days insha Allah/God willing. I haven't done so this week because I was rather sick. By the Grace of God I'm better now though.
>-Saleem
hey salam,
i read ur blog quite interesting, actually stumbled across it on google, funi to knw ur also a medic, hope things are better in the US then UK
hv fun
masalam
Here's something that may interest you...
http://sunnipath.com/courses/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ENR110-1
I found your web site via a Google search of "How to hate a Muslim." You see, I'm basically a nice person, and unprejudiced, so I needed a little help getting started.
And you're no help at all! I can't seem to find anything in this blog that will assist me in learning how to hate Muslims.
I think you're on the right track when you touch on the ideas of managing public perception of Moslims. The jerks are getting all the good press. I do have a suggestion for you, though.
Irony. Americans are very good at irony. Americans tend to get very angry when people don't understand their irony. Just think how this plays in Kansas:
Pope: "Islam is a violent religion."
Muslims: "It is not, and you're a liar, and deserve to die."
I think good Muslims need a way to differentiate themselves from bad Muslims who don't "get" irony. I am convinced that this is one of the blind spots that prevents good communication from happening.
Good luck, my brother. Peace.
-Dave
Hi Dave,
Glad to meet you. Although I think most Muslims wouldn't give you a reason to hate Muslims, I do think that the ones that do make fantastic news, and are thus magnified through various media outlets.
In addition, your point is very well taken regarding irony. In fact, I said the *exact* same thing to members of my family upon hearing some of the reactions of some Muslims (although those reactions were in the vast minority, again amplified because it makes good news) - they're saying "Islam is not violent" and then bombing a church!!!
Thanks for your input, and I hope that you continue to have a hard time finding a way to hate Muslims :)
Best regards,
Saleem
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