Radicalization of Muslims
By Anila Ali
Irvine, CA
Reference Michael Boorstein's article ‘Radicalization of Muslims’ in the Washington Post.
Radicalization of Muslims- a threat, maybe, but let’s not politicize it!
A reputable historian friend remarked four years ago that all major religions are moving towards the textual versions of their religion. That is what has happened to Islam. Most of the Muslim world has lacked democracy and has had corrupt leaders, whom we have supported due to our national interests. These so-called Muslim leaders have not allowed their people to become literate, for fear they will learn the truth about Islam.
Enlightened Muslims know that verses from the Qur’an cannot be taken out of context to preach hate but they are not heard or seen. All America hears are the radicals, the extremists who have their own personal agenda in mind.
As for Rep. King who insists that Muslims don’t cooperate with the federal agencies, I have news. Our constitution requires religious neutrality, so why are we having a debate about a single religion? Moreover, the federal government agencies have been reaching out to Muslim communities and that has ended up in greater cooperation. If it’s just the fear of radicalization of Muslims that is rousing him to do this, then he needs to actually go out into other constituencies and see how Muslims, who are not just Arabs, are working hand in hand with the government agencies and elected officials to defend and keep their country safe. Is it not proof enough that Muslim informants have averted major attacks in the past few months?
Islamic organizations in the US don’t necessarily represent the moderate viewpoints of most American Muslims that have made America their home. These are the engineers, the physicians, and the IT professionals, who have remained low-key. Perhaps it is time for them to come out and be heard.
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