Hi Carmela,
Thank you so much for your post. I hope you don't mind if I shift the
subject line. Please feel free to change it to something else, but I
think this is a different topic than Daniel Mezick's post about Group
Relations. And perhaps it is one of the most critical areas today that
could use Open Space. And for the record, which I repeat below - I find
the killings done in the name of Islam just as bad as the killings in
the name of advancing Christianity, Democracy, or anything else for that
matter
الله أكبر
I find "opening space for the unlovely" like the particular wealthy
individual mentioned earlier as appealing as opening space for Adolf
Hitler or Racial Supremacists. And while I would fight for "Free Speech"
rights, falsely screaming fire in a crowded theater is not "free speech".
As much horror/fear/uncertainty/doubt was triggered by 9/11, it also
counter-intuitively has opened a vast amount of space for awareness of
Islam. Although I'm sure people have strong views one way or the other -
I would hope people could open their minds to how powerful a civilizing
influence Islam was to the Arabian peninsula, and how much science and
philosophy from the Greeks was only saved because of Muslim
civilization. And beyond salvaging Greek philosophy, while Europe
stagnated in it's "Dark Ages", Muslim Civilization was at that time the
pinnacle of human achievement where there were great advances in
science, math, philosophy, architecture, governance, and the arts.
Arabic was considered a classical language in Europe. And the first
University in Europe was in Moorish (Islamic) Spain, where the royalty
and wealthy of Europe sent their children to be educated.
I would also hope more would consider "common knowledge" that the
"Crusades" were a "barbarian invasion". Even good scholars in the West
acknowledge this truth, which is hard to ignore when you look into the
history of how some of the first crusaders turned cannibal, and killed
everyone - Jews, Christians, and Muslims - creating a sea of blood where
the locals (who were peaceful with each other) sought refuge from the
invaders coming to "liberate" them. (Please see the excellent
documentary series from BBC & PBS with Monty Python's Terry Jones
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades_%28BBC_TV_series%29> ).
Hopefully a fanatical regime in the U.S. won't round me up for having
posted this, but if they do, I'll consider it an honor. And to repeat -
I find the killings done in the name of Islam just as bad as the
killings in the name of advancing Christianity, Democracy, or anything
else for that matter.
Peace Be Upon You,
Harold
On 12/10/15 9:26 PM, Carmela Ariza via OSList wrote:
Dear all
On December 1 I dreamt that there will be world war 3.
I hope and pray today's conflicts will not exacerbate anymore.
The presidential campaign in the US is not helping in de-escalating
and reducing tensions.
Here is one important piece I read in FB from a Muslim who fears for
their life - from Sofia Ali-Khan.
"Dear Non-Muslim Allies,
I am writing to you because it has gotten just that bad. I have found
myself telling too many people about the advice given to me years ago
by the late composer Herbert Brun, a German Jew who fled Germany at
the age of 15: “be sure that your passport is in order.” It’s not
enough to laugh at Donald Trump anymore. The rhetoric about Muslims
has gotten so nasty, and is everywhere, on every channel, every
newsfeed. It is clearly fueling daily events of targeted violence,
vandalism, vigilante harassment, discrimination. I want you to know
that it has gotten bad enough that my family and I talk about what to
keep on hand if we need to leave quickly, and where we should go,
maybe if the election goes the wrong way, or if folks get stirred up
enough to be dangerous before the election. When things seem less
scary, we talk about a five or a ten year plan to go somewhere where
cops don’t carry guns and hate speech isn’t allowed on network
television. And if you don’t already know this about me, I want you
to know that I was born in this country. I have lived my whole life
in this country. I have spent my entire adult life working to help the
poor, the disabled and the dispossessed access the legal system in
this country. And I want you to know that I am devoutly and proudly
Muslim.
I am writing this in response to a non Muslim friend’s question about
what she can do. Because there is much that can be done in solidarity:
If you see a Muslim or someone who might be identified as Muslim being
harassed, stop, say something, intervene, call for help.
If you ride public transportation, sit next to the hijabi woman and
say asalam ‘alaykum (That means ‘peace to you.’). Don’t worry about
mispronouncing it; she won’t care. Just say "peace" if you like.
She’ll smile; smile back. If you feel like it, start a conversation.
If you don’t, sit there and make sure no one harasses her.
If you have a Muslim work colleague, check in. Tell them that the
news is horrifying and you want them to know you’re there for them.
If you have neighbors who are Muslim, keep an eye out for them. If
you’re walking your kids home from the bus stop, invite their kids to
walk with you.
Talk to your kids. They're picking up on the anti-Muslim message.
Make sure they know how you feel and talk to them about what they can
do when they see bullying or hear hate speech at school.
Call out hate speech when you hear it—if it incites hatred or violence
against a specified group, call it out: in your living room, at work,
with friends, in public. It is most important that you do this among
folks who may not know a Muslim.
Set up a “learn about Islam” forum at your book club, school,
congregation, dinner club. Call your state CAIR organization,
interfaith group or local mosque and see if there is someone who has
speaking experience and could come and answer questions about Islam
and American Muslims for your group. They won’t be offended. They
will want the opportunity to do something to dispel the nastiness.
Write Op Eds and articles saying how deplorable the anti-Muslim
rhetoric has gotten and voice your support for Muslim Americans in
whatever way you can.
Call your state and local representatives, let them know that you are
concerned about hate speech against your Muslim friends and neighbors
in politics and the media, that it is unacceptable and you want them
to call it out whenever they hear it, on your behalf.
Out yourself as someone who won’t stand for Islamophobia, or will
stand with Muslims—there is an awful lot of hate filling the airways,
and there are an awful lot of people with access to the media and/or
authority stirring the pot about Muslims. Please help fill that space
with support instead. Post, write, use your profile picture or blog
to voice your support.
Ask me anything. Really. Engage the Muslims in your life. Make sure
you really feel comfortable standing for and with your Muslim friends,
neighbors, coworkers.
I can tell you that in addition to the very real threat to their civil
and human rights that Muslims are facing, we are dealing with a
tremendous amount of anxiety. While we, many of us, rely on our faith
to stay strong, we are human. This is not an easy time. What you do
will mean everything to the Muslim Americans around you. Thank you
for reading and bless you in your efforts. Share freely.
media inquiries to: fb.muslim.allies at gmail dot com 540 315 1823
#standingwithmuslims"
Peace to all!
Carms
Sent from my iPhone
--
Harold Shinsato
har...@shinsato.com <mailto:har...@shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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