Muslims Near Ground Zero
- Details
- Category: Farshad Farzad
- Published on Tuesday, 10 August 2010 22:53
- Written by Farshad Farzad
Last week while assisting a client at my bank, she asked me about my name and where I was from. She asked if it was safe to assume that I was a Muslim. I informed her that I was from birth, however, in fourth grade while attending a private Christian school I converted to Christianity, but now I am an agnostic.
We started to talk about Christianity, in hindsight was probably the worst thing to discuss with a client, but I made sure that she knew my views were my own and did not represent the company for which I am employed.
After about 3-5 minutes of discussing the teachings of Jesus she became ever more serious and asked, “Can I ask you a question that might offend you?” I was fascinated the minute the words “offend” left her mouth, for it is nearly impossible to offend me with intelligent conversation.
I responded, “You can ask me anything.” She said, “Being from THAT area, what are your thoughts about them building a mosque near Ground Zero?” I contemplated what she had asked me for a minute. In my head I was thinking “THAT” area, does she know I am Persian, descendents of the Assyrians and/or Celtic tribes? Does she know that I speak Farsi that was birthed out of Latin? Did she realize my ancestors where closely related to her European ancestors than the Saudi’s that I am sure she was comparing me to?
With better judgment I responded, “I think it says a lot of this country that in an area that was traumatized by 20 radical Islamic terrorist, we can build an Islamic cultural center to help heal the hatred and wounds that were created by the beliefs that you are referring to.”
She was completely appalled. She stated, “It is EXTREMELY insensitive to shove THAT religion down the mouths of the people who lost loved ones.” This took me back a little; I wasn’t expecting such a removed response. I felt a little trapped not really knowing how to answer. I felt I could form a logical response but would my analogy offend her?
In an episode of The West Wing, Josh Lyman who is portrayed by Bradley Whitford said, “Islamic extremist is to Islamic as __”blank”__ is to Christianity?” He continues by writing the letters K K K. Having remembered this scene I asked my client, “Using your premise for why the mosque should not be built, would be like saying that the churches in Oklahoma City that were built after the bombing should not have been built.” For Timothy McVeigh was allegedly both an Anarchist and a White Supremacist. She didn’t buy my argument. However, she did leave without being offended and a promise to come back and discuss politics and current events.
After my day at work ended, I continued to contemplate the discussion I had with her. I truly believe it is incredible that we live in a country where toleration is not only talked about but it is practiced. I was so proud to be an American! By no means do I believe we are completely tolerant as we aspire to be, but I am surprised by our accomplishments as a country.
A man who is against terrorism and the fanatical teachings of Islam is going to lead the Islamic center that is going to be built down the street from Ground Zero. He’s said to be a proud American and a proud Muslim. As Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times wrote:
“Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Muslim clergyman who wants to build a cultural center and prayer room two blocks north of Ground Zero, has repeatedly denounced Islamist terrorism. He admonishes members of his congregation to be, in his words, "both good Americans and good Muslims." He's not an ally of Osama bin Laden; he's an adversary. Still, it was predictable that some New Yorkers who lost loved ones on 9/11 would object to building a Muslim institution so near the site of their tragedy. They're entitled to their feelings, and a cultural center that hopes to bridge gaps among Muslims, Christians and Jews needs to take those feelings into account. But they're not entitled to make their feelings a basis for discriminatory government action." Read Full Article Here
The great Persian Poet Rumi said, “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” This cultural center can help educate people that there are moderate and liberal Muslims. For many Muslims would agree they are treated with the most respect in the United States.
