Wednesday, January 9, 2002
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Wednesday, January 9, 2002 |
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Muslim teen: Religious freedom is essence of U.S.
While our nation's leaders struggle to create a more culturally aware America, I was shocked to read such an ignorant statement in The Citizen concerning the new mosque. I am a 17-year-old Muslim, and one of the "women with their heads covered" that Mr. Chuck E. Bryant might have observed attending services at the new mosque in Fayetteville. Living in Saudi Arabia for three years most certainly does not make you an expert on Islam, Mr. Bryant. I have lived in Fayette County for as long as I can remember and while many people have often deliberately offended me, I have never blamed Christianity or any other religion as the culprit. Islam neither promotes nor encourages murder or forced conversion. Missionaries do not even exist in our faith. Supposed Christians have also bombed abortion clinics, yet I have never heard of talks to shut down their churches in order to prevent secret "plans of destruction" or "messages of hate." Whether you care for the liberal talk of equal religions or not, this is what America is all about. The first Pilgrims came here in hopes of attaining the freedom to practice their own faith, and this freedom forms the very basis of our country. President Bush is doing his very best right now to affirm that this is a war against terrorism, not Islam, and I would advise that Mr. Bryant learn what my religion is really about before making such blatant and ignorant assumptions. Summar Shoaib Fayetteville
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