Last week, the famed 9/11 memorial museum opened with a host of items salvaged from that fateful day in American history. About the same time, Pamela Geller’s American Freedom Defense Initiative burst onto our collective consciousness by once again using the image of the burning twin towers on Washington, D.C. buses to malign an entire religion. It seems that almost thirteen years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we still have an antagonistic, feral response to this defining moment in modern history.
Both events have spurred protests, but thankfully not just by Muslims. Although the 9/11 memorial museum itself has remained out of controversy’s way, the accompanying seven-minute film called “The Rise of Al-Qaeda” is fast becoming a cause for concern for many New Yorkers regardless of religion. Rather than Muslims screaming themselves hoarse about Islamophobia to no avail, the film is being protested by an interfaith group as one that used specifically Islamic terminology in a way that many viewers may associate Islam with terrorism. While no-one is disputing the religion of the terrorists involved in 9/11, many feel that more should be done to differentiate between Islam as an ideology and the extremist interpretations of some Muslim groups. While it doesn’t seem that that the authorities are listening, at least we’re thinking and talking about it as a society, and deciding that demonizing an entire religion due to the actions of a few thousands, even millions, is just not fair.
Another important demonizing attempt is Pamela Geller’s new bus ad in the D.C. area. I say important because it again has led to objections, not just by Muslims but by other faiths as well, and many different groups and individuals have acknowledged their distaste. The Anti-Defamation League protested the use of Hitler’s picture for the sake of sensationalism, going as far as to condemn anti-Muslim bigotry in terms of Israel and Zionism:
Pro-Israel doesn’t mean anti-Muslim, and support for Israel cannot be built on bigoted anti-Muslim and anti-Arab stereotypes.
David C. Friedman, the ADL’s Washington, D.C. regional director.
Strong and unusual words for the ADL, whose defense of Islam in recent years has been lukewarm at best. But it underscores the point that when a religion is painted with a heavy brush, all people of all faiths should sit up and take notice because that same brush could be taken to their religion next. It is satisfying to see Jews and Christians, Hindus and Sikhs, even atheists, coming together to protect Muslims, and I hope the same occurs if Judaism or any other religion is maligned.
So what is the best way to respond to people and films that incite hatred? Qasim Rashid in Time Magazine debunks some common myths about the “Islamic Jew hatred” Geller talks about, but it seems as if such discussions fall on deaf ears. On the other hand, Mira Sucharov at the Jewish Daily Forward claims that these ads, by a group acknowledged as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, could actually do some good. By bringing people of different faiths together to discuss issues that divide them, the ads could actually result in better understanding and even a healing of sorts. I agree with her rather radical idea as one that could just work:
The discussion would start as a conversation about scripture, values and religion – with lots of talk about how terms like “infidels” and “jihad” are used and heard; what the legacy of phrases like “People of the Book” are now that Jewish communities have mostly left Muslim countries; and how different belief systems understand concepts like war, peace, force and negotiation. It would then likely meander over to the areas of politics and foreign policy. These issues would include U.S. diplomatic and military actions in the Muslim world, the legacy of 9/11, and Israeli and Palestinian policies towards one another.
So is there a right way to commemorate the tragedy of 9/11 and the resulting Islamophobia we have seen in the United States as well as abroad? I think that as long as we are respectful, and can work together to humanize the “other”, there is hope for our nation, our world. We will see many other instances of bigotry, sometimes against Muslims, at other times against Jews or other groups, but at the end of the day we must stand up for each other, and always remember that those who promote hate and intolerance are faith-less terrorists, whether they belong to the Al-Qaeda or the Geller camp.
Saadia Faruqi is an interfaith activist, editor of Interfaith Houston and trainer of American Muslim issues. Follow her on Twitter @saadiafaruqi.
And please note the USA Government’s role & responsibility in allowing the 911 Commission Report’s serious omissions of evidence and untruthful findings stand as the basis of the causes of the 911 Terrorist Attacks and the 911 Memorial Museum.
Hubert, If the authors of all the 911 conspiracies were that good, they would al be well know workers of fiction. There are so may conspiracies out there, including a few that place guilt on Jews. Which one is correct?
Stan, Not sure I understand your question. All I can suggest is that you review the 911 Commission Report evidence and lack of evidence at http://www.ae911truth.org/ & http://911research.wtc7.net/sept11/evidence.html to determine the truth about who the Terrorists are.
Also there are a number of YouTube videos about this matter and I have some references about this matter at http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/ground_zero
Really appreciate this video of a young Muslim woman shnriag her thoughts about the Boston Marathon bombings. I think many Muslims don’t speak up for fear of backlash against them, but they share her sentiment (and disappointment) that two fanatics hijacked their religion. I wish there were more opportunities for these views to be safely shared and am glad that we can offer such a platform.
For every 911 conspiracy theorist, there is also a Holocaust denier and Sandy Hook conspirator, What do they al have on common? They paste together so called facts that do not make ay sense to anyone but the gullible among us. Sad, real sad. i am sorry for you. I have no doubts who was behind it and why they did to. 911 conspiracy theories are dime a dozen and many of them of an anti semitic spin to them
Uh instead of tossing around the CIA concocted term “conspiracy theory” you might want to deal in FACTS- heres a few regarding who was behind the 9-11 false flag attack- feel free to try and refute any of them but don’t just say oh that’s a conspiracy theory- bring the facts or don’t bother sound fair?
http://ehpg.wordpress.com/israel-did-911/
Are you mentally ill?
For every 911 conspiracy theorist, there is also a Holocaust denier and Sandy Hook conspirator, What do they al have on common? They paste together so called facts that do not make ay sense to anyone but the gullible among us. Sad, real sad. i am sorry for you. I have no doubts who was behind it and why they did to.
Thank God I don’t have or subscribe to islam caennhl! Having to fund Jonathon Ross to the insane tune of 6 milliion per year courtesy of my BBC license fee is bad enough. I would certainly not wish to fund Al Quaeda via yet another TV caennhl fee! The stupid name for this stupid programme is ‘Faith Off’ and how in heaven’s name are they going to make a game out of religious belief???? Who in their right mind as a Catholic would go on this kind of thing – Oh yes – maybe Cherie and/or No1 Catholic hubby Tony. Anyway I thought these islamic imams will issue an immediate fatwah against the programme producers for bringing allah into disrepute – or is this a case of ‘fatwahs are for dhimmi’s (that’s you and me) only. I’m afraid this kind of thing gets my blood boiling and I might use a different F/Off expression for this programme so I’ll leave this post now…….!
oh want to talk the “holocaust” too- no problem son heres a place to start to learn the FACTS surrounding the “holocaust”- let me know if you have any questions…
http://www.holohoax101.org/
How did this creep escape the editors of this message board?
Dear Tikkun, is it now only if I ask where is my posting ,you will remember to post it? It has been three days now. Thanks
Dear Monir, Your anti Semitism is not welcome here.
that we should fgriove and forget’. Even if this were actually possible, we are certainly not required to even attempt anything like it if they are unrepentent and likely to offend again on the same serious way. We are entitled to say within ourselves something like: whilst I have handed calling you to account over to God, and whilst I pray that you will see the light, understand what you have done and repent, and apologise so that we can safely be reconciled, I now know you and what you are like, and I choose to guard my heart and the hearts of those under my protection, and (for the time being anyway) to love you in absence.By doing this, as well as protecting ourselves (we are not called to continually cast our pearls in front of swine’) and giving ourselves time and space for our own healing, we give those who have done us wrong the chance to experience that we no longer seek their company, but at the same do not carry any resentment towards them. If it is God’s will that we should be reconciled to them and resume an active friendship, then this course of action can have a powerfully positive challenging effect. If it does not, then it is better that we let them go and enable God to give us something/someone else instead.We hope you find this reply of help.God bless and guide you.
The open minded oponiins I just read here are why I think this is exactly why we need more of these kinds of shows. So much easier to sit about and do nothing except criticize those who are doing something to help encourage religious toleration in a light hearted way.
Hey there. Have you figured out how to make simple a site portable friendly?
I’m trying to find a style or wordpress tool that might be able to handle this condition. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Easy issue that’s totally away from issue.
My web-site seems to be weird when surfing around.