Ahhhhh!!!!! I am so sick and tired of having people who don't know me, my family or my friends classify us all as the same as those retards on tv who've decided that the only way to get noticed are to kill people! Islam is like a rainbow with two extremes and all colors on the spectrum in between. Yes you are going to find people who agree with militant and fundamentalist views in America and around the world but there are BILLIONS OF MUSLIMS! Are you going to sit here and tell me that we are ALL terrorists? That we all believe in the same thing?? We can't even agree on whether or not it's acceptable to pray with nail polish on!! (I exaggerate but you get the point). You can even just take all of the authors on this blog and put us in a room and ask us fundamental questions about God and Islam and life and you'll get almost 9 different answers to each question. Our families and friends and environments shape us into the people we are today, religion is an incredibly huge aspect of it but it mingles with culture and our families unique perspectives on life.
I had this very informative sarcastic post all written up about the "free speech summit" that had taken place in Florida yesterday but at the end of it I realized none of my anger had bled through. Because I am angry I am so (wow I want to cuss). Look this is my country and I don't mean that in the patriotic sense of the word- but literally, this is where I was born. Where I grew up. This is the place that had shaped my ideas and what I want to gain out of life for myself and for my family. So for a man who is supposed to represent the American people (Rep. Hasner), for him to co-sponsor a summit under the façade of free speech, but in reality to lambaste anyone and everyone who follows Islam- and on top of that NO-ONE, no Democrats especially no Republicans- coming out and decrying this...!! WTH??!!!
So what am I going on and on about? Yesterday a "free speech summit" had been organized by the Florida Security Council who are a self-declared counter-Jihad movement. Educating people on the threat and danger of radical Islam which apparently to them is all Islam. Their keynote speaker of the evening was Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders who had compared the Quran to Hitler's Mein Kampf and stated at the event last night that: "Islam is not a religion. Islam is a totalitarian political idealogue. Islam's heart lies at the Quran, and the Quran is a book that calls for hatred, that calls for violence, for murder, for terrorism, for war and submission...We should all stop pretending Islam is a religion...The right to religious freedom should not apply to Islam."
He also goes on to say that we should stop Muslim immigration to the west and that we need to remove Muslims from western countries and to stop the building of Mosques and called for the closing down of Islamic schools calling them "fascist institutions".
I am so very frustrated at this situation, wth is one supposed to do? CAIR- the Council on American Islamic Relations came out before the event and after the event to decry it but lets be honest- no-one listens to them! It's like Muslims are like AIDS back in the 80's where no-one knew what the hell it was and everyone stigmatized everyone that had it. We need a voice we need people to know that this "summit"- IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Not only not acceptable but will not be tolerated! What do they expect us to do after they compare us to Hitler and Mussolini?? Just sit back and be ok with it??? WTF?! (sorry CC)
I did a google search on this "summit" and I have not yet seen one article- except for CAIR's- that comes out against it. Everyone seems to think that Hasner and Wilders are heroes for speaking out against hatred ...wow. The Muslim community needs to wake up and reclaim their country otherwise we lose it to people like Hasner. Most Muslims believe that since Obama's won, the anti-Muslim wing of the country has dissipated into nothingness. There is no bigger misconception. Change does not occur because of change of leadership.
I wish I could end this post on a brighter note. But I can't. All I can hope for is that this event inspires Muslims and non-Muslims alike in America to rise up against hate speech and make their voices heard, otherwise they will be replaced by the voices of Wilders and those like him.
10 comments:
This post, right here is a significant reason that I follow your blog. This is so informative, I am not Muslim (I'm not really a follower of any organized religion for that matter) and acknowledge that I have to educate myself and not fall prey to the media firestorm that surrounds all things Muslim. I appreciate how candid you (all of you) are and forthright because it helps a person like me, with only limited experience and exposure to learn and appreciate what and how you live and what you go through when people act stupid and make stupid, incorrect assumptions.
Thank you for this post, you always educate and challenge me.
i have to properly comment on this later
but yea i share your (@*#$#*$&*#&$(*#&$#*(&$
Yes we as Muslims are angry when they say things that are hurtful but we have to do things and reply back with a clear head and not let our emotions get in the way. These are all tests we have to go through in life and the Faithful will come out on top. Where can I find more info on this summit and where does/did it take place? How do I protest against it?
I think a lot of people think that Islam is the cause of a lot of violence in the world, and that by being Muslim, it makes one irrational and mad, and likely to bomb. That's definitely what I see in Australia. Also I think just being Arab means that you are put at a disadvantage here... we had some guys who raped some girls here and few years ago (gang rapings, there were a few) and they made headlines because they were a)Muslims and b)predominantly arabs. So for ages, and still now I think, Arab men in Sydney are discriminated against. I have a lebanese friend who was not allowed into a club here as a Christian because they thought him and his mates must be going to terrorise the girls. I was really offended for him when he told me that.
And I think a lot of people take september 11 and they say "All Muslims are people who want to kill us.". One of my 'friends' (not sure if she really is) won't even get into discussions about this sort of thing, and I'm sure it's because she believes my husband is likely to kill. Yeah right.
It's like you said, they're not learning enough about enough other Muslims, adn the few baddies they heard about have written their opinion of all Muslims. It is REALLY sad. Islam might not be for everyone, but if you take a look inside the Bible, and I'd dare say the Torah as well, you'll find parts about wars and violence, and hate. But until everyone stops going to war, I think it's all rather hypocritical. I like how when people kill as individuals they are seen as mad fanatics, but if a country goes to war and kills some men and children in a counrty that is seen as a threat in some way, that's ok.
It's all ridiculous in my opinion. Everyone needs to relax. We're all the same in the edn. We just want to be left alone, and for there to be peace.
Ps: all news here is biased, against Muslims. I think the papers are run by Jewish influence.... but that's a whole other kettle of fish.
Ps: As a side, I just wanted to say that many times I have encountered harsh looks and speech from Muslims who find out I am no longer Muslim..... and my husband is even one who is very upset by non-Muslims, for the reason they are not Muslim, at times. For some reason there seems to be a staunch "us and them" mentality... If someone told me they had left Christianity I would think it a shame, but I would still talk to them and respect their decisions as an individual. I'm not so sure it works from the Islamic side though. This is just something I remembered -do you know why that may be? I mean, I know Muslims are encouraged to try to get followers and that the Qur'an considers "kafir" to be most unsavoury... it does seem awfully derogatory...
Just a thought.
Symphonic Discord,
People are uneducated about Islam. I admit I do not know much about it but I am learning what your religion is all about and I respect that just as there are good and bad Christians, there are also good and bad Muslims. Muslims shouldn't all be placed in boxes and labeled as "terrorist". It is wrong.
I call for understanding. The people who organized this summit are clearly uninformed and before they even open their mouths,they should do their research well.
Unfortunately most humans with unaided lenses tend to stereotype. I have experienced your same anger on a different level.
Thank you for your post and being candid. I too, like DocE, truly enjoy this blog as it helps educate me a bit from your personal points of view.
Wow. I had no idea that was said. How ignorant and terrible it makes them look. It's too bad that people can't form their own opinions and just think because a public official says it, "it's right". I am not Muslim, but feel as though I need to learn so much more. I know I'm ignorant, but I would never go so far as to say Muslim = Terrorism. You speak about the topic with passion and eloquence. I hope your voice is heard throughout the world. Stay strong and wise!
im glad you wrote this.
you're awesome.
Ugh ignorant people really piss me off. They should all be sent to prison in the Arctic or something.
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