As for the American Muslims, they are mostly well integrated into the mainstream, prosperous and highly educated, and not interested in desperate measures. A philosophy of service has developed among them. Many consider it to be their Islamic responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the society. In spite of marginalization and disparagement of Islam, they are willing to serve the nation beyond the call of duty. Simultaneously, their practice of Islam remains entrenched as ever.
Yet another arrogant fool, no doubt a pathetic lamebrain, has brought disgrace and infamy to the Pakistani community worldwide. Faisal Shahzad’s idiotic action, regardless of its positive effect on the militants abroad, has placed the Muslims of America directly under a glaring spotlight. glaring spotlight.
Just days into the incident he hostile media, never too riendly to the Muslims, began o pry into the lives of Pakistani xpatriates, intruding into their private lives almost at will. Just days into the incident the hostile media, never too friendly to the Muslims, began to pry into the lives of Pakistani expatriates, intruding into their private lives almost at will.
Fortunately, the terrorist was so incompetent that the contraption rigged together did not go off as expected sparing hundreds of innocent passers-by from death and injury.
Had the device exploded the Pakistani community would have been targeted as never before. Thanks to his ineptness New York City was spared another catastrophe and the culprit was caught in a matter of hours before he had a chance to flee the country.
Terrorism has become a curse for Pakistan, indeed, for the Muslims in general wherever they happen to be. But it is the American Muslims who are under siege for that dastardly deed. Unfortunately the mass media, ignorant politicians and their colleagues in churches, the extremist-wing of Republican party and, the well-known political rethreads, have stooped to vilify the entire Muslim community for the acts of a few.
Their irascible remarks are projected repeatedly several times each week on the national public. It is difficult to find people who would stand up for Islam and counter the vitriol. The atmosphere remains poisoned as Muslims try to adjust and re-adjust to the attacks hurled.
It has also fueled Islamophobia as a growth industry in America. The anti-Islam work is well-financed with its own full time institutions, speakers and publications for the embellishment of falsehoods presented to the naïve public. American Muslims are painted to appear disloyal and untrustworthy. No Muslim is exempt from this irrational generalization.
Muslims abroad argue that they know exactly what the Americans are up to in the Islamic lands. They have seen the rifles embedded with quotes from the Bible for the killing of Muslims in the name of Christianity. They see soldiers of a secular nation praying collectively in the name of Jesus before going into combat.
They see Bibles and relevant literature being distributed by missionary organizations disguised as “humanitarian aids NGOs. ” Militants have seen the trucks loaded with Bibles destined for the occupied areas. Several of these vehicles were torched precisely for that reason. The goal of the evangelicals is the Christianization of those living within the latitudes 40 degrees north and south. The likes of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others in the extremist camp have said so repeatedly in various forums.
However, it was mostly George Bush who provided them with leadership in launching a “Crusade” in Iraq and Afghanistan to seek “Infinite Justice. ” He followed that up by sending in the military. The evangelicals cheered.
The actions taken gave a clear message to the Muslims. To them it meant that the military was coming in to the kill and to convert them. Hence, many got fired-up to become martyrs in the defense of their faith. The response was intense and continued to spread even to America.
Terrorism is spawned by what Washington leaders say and do. It is not a conspiracy, nor an expression of hatred either for freedom or for America. If Washington changes its foreign policy the response in all likelihood would be a decline in extremism.
These or similar messages are discussed in much of the Muslim domain by clumps of individuals in cafes, on sidewalks, in villages, urban neighborhoods and with casual contacts.
These are considered trustworthy sources in comparison with the US media, the official Washington or their own governments.
In general Muslims have lost faith in America for actions taken from the displacement of Palestinians in 1948 to the current occupation of Afghanistan. They are particularly troubled by the demonization of Islam.
Extreme measures therefore are seen as proper response. Lately, the rise of the former colonized nations, China, India, Indonesia, Brazil and others have been taken as hopeful signs for challenging the American hegemony.
The current predator attacks are con-sidered to be loathsome. Just a few days ago a large group of protestors in Islamabad displayed a placard reading: "We are antiAmerican!" The sentiment expressed is widespread and serves to give notice that the killing of Muslims is unacceptable.
Faisal Shahzad's crazy act was only a reaction to the predator attacks. Reportedly, one of his friends was blown up in a bombing mission and he sought to avenge that death. Bombings are mostly revenge killings though now expanded to include other grievances as well.
As for Pakistan itself terrorism is used by disaffected elements to destabilize the nation. Militants feel that the government could be brought down, or that the nation could be taken over, or that the country could be prodded into waging a war.
Pressures, both internal and external, are intense on Islamabad to stop terrorism from destabilizing the country. America wants to see the denial of facilities to train foreign terrorists. Neither the law-enforcement agencies nor the political leadership of the nation, have the capability to prevent terrorist acts. The country is caught in a dilemma.
As for the American Muslims, they are mostly well integrated into the mainstream, prosperous and highly educated, and not interested in desperate measures. A philosophy of service has developed among them. Many consider it to be their Islamic responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the society. In spite of marginalization and disparagement of Islam, they are willing to serve the nation beyond the call of duty. Simultaneously, their practice of Islam remains entrenched as ever.
