Islam in America

It goes without saying that I have the right to practice my religion. I am an Syrian Orthodox Christian, a fairly ancient group. It goes without saying that my right to practice that religion is unimpeded in the United States, where I live. Then, why is it that some are against Islam in the US. There are those who do not want "them" in our country. There are those who would rather wish that "they" were dead. But who are these antagonists to protest the right of another to practice their religion?

The world is not meant for one certain group; the world belongs to those who inhabit it. How does one person or group have more right to a plot of land than another? They don't. Then how is it that one group can protest the establishment of mosques in cities like New York or prevent the establishment of Muslim centers in other cities. We are all the same in every way and form except when it comes to religion and culture. If we are all the same, how can there even be a discussion of whether one religion has the right to practice their religion in one area?

Perhaps this hate is caused by that uneventful day 10 years ago. 9/11 occurred on a bright sunny morning, carried out by extreme Islamist groups. Since then, the propaganda spewed by Americans have corrupted the minds of millions leading them to believe all Muslims are terrorists. Then again, most forget about the other extremists like the KKK, who are Christian organized by the way.

To even discuss matters involving religious freedom goes beyond the valid interpretation of our current Constitutional Amendment that gives right to religion. To even discuss this appalls me as I staunchly advocate religious freedom. We have to look past the Galabiyyas and the Burqas, move past the difference in religious beliefs, and get over our now innate hatred of Muslims. Sixty years ago, Jewish people were hated and killed for it. Two hundred years back, Africans were still slaves in this country. We live with hate because we want to hate. Without a scapegoat to transfer this hate to, most of society find it hard to exist. I must say that I will never understand hate for it is a concept that I do not know well. Do I occasionally find myself disliking" someone? Yes. But have I ever found myself "hating"? I don't believe so and I don't think I ever will. We have to, as a people, step back from our asinine oppressive beliefs and embrace the world as it is and as it should be; equal for all people of all kind.