Why are you so apologetic? I have noticed an increasing trend amongst the Muslim population in America to basically be cowards. Unwilling to defend themselves or their faith. This comes to the Park 51 issue, to issues related to Sept 11th and just general issues related to their faith and identity as Muslim Americans.
Why is that so? I mean on CNN every damn Muslim that shows up honestly appears to be suffering from a colonial complex, where everything has to be couched in passive and submissive language.
Kind of tough not to be an apologist given the circumstances. It's near impossible for the "good" Muslims to divorce their identity from that of the terrorists faction who call themselves Muslims, at least in the minds of the community in which we exist. Is it our fault that American society at large is so unsophisticated (okay, let's call a spade a spade, ignorant) that they cannot distinguish the actions of a few who have perverted the faith? In part it is. Here I'll make a comparison to the Jewish community - they have a phenomenal marketing/lobbying network that ensures they as a community have a voice and that their voice is a credible voice. How well represented was the Muslim diaspora pre-9/11? Not very. So if the first time the faith group registers is post a terrorist event, the community (which first of all does not have a united voice) is already operating from a disadvantaged position - when there is a collective voice, the first message is one of remorse for actions of a few that have been attributed to the collective.
I would think it would have been natural for Muslims to adopt an apologist tone, at least in respect to the actions of other "muslims" in the time immediately following 9/11. But, I agree that there should not be an apologist tone when defending the tenets and the practice of the faith. There are two extremes - apologist and belligerent/confrontational, when discussing religion (whether is be in the media or amongst friends/colleagues). Knowing the right balance is important - we can't afford to be belligerent - that's counter-productive.
CM, it's really easy for people that don't even live in America to talk all big things and even non resident pakistanis to talk big about pakistan and what should and shouldn't be done. Try to live in the country yourself first and then talk all this.
Why are you so apologetic? I have noticed an increasing trend amongst the Muslim population in America to basically be cowards. Unwilling to defend themselves or their faith. This comes to the Park 51 issue, to issues related to Sept 11th and just general issues related to their faith and identity as Muslim Americans.
Why is that so? I mean on CNN every damn Muslim that shows up honestly appears to be suffering from a colonial complex, where everything has to be couched in passive and submissive language.
Sad really.
I am so sorry America ..........we should not build a Mosque so close to the Statue of Liberty (Statue is for White Europeans Only)
You meant this kind of Apology?.................:)
Nothing can be far from reality and a gross generalization than to call Muslims of America apologetic.
When it comes to defending the faith no Muslim in America is apologetic or coward.
There are people and organizations who are engaged in Dawa activities whole heartedly. There are people and organizations in America who are building mosques and community centers as we speak.
But we cannot defend the acts of terrorism , terrorist philosophy or their agenda.
We do not apologize for these heinous acts we condemn them.
What are your views about Sulah-e-hudabia where on papers sulah terms were INSULTING to Muslims, least to say. Do you think that Na-aoo-zubillah Prophet Muhammad was a coward that he did Sulah on Kuffar's terms although Muslims were in war-ready-state and also out numbered kuffars?
What are your views about Sulah-e-hudabia where on papers sulah terms were INSULTING to Muslims, least to say. Do you think that Na-aoo-zubillah Prophet Muhammad was a coward that he did Sulah on Kuffar's terms although Muslims were in war-read-state and also out numbered kuffars?
Nothing can be far from reality and a gross generalization than to call Muslims of America apologetic.
When it comes to defending the faith no Muslim in America is apologetic or coward.
There are people and organizations who are engaged in Dawa activities whole heartedly. There are people and organizations in America who are building mosques and community centers as we speak.
But we cannot defend the acts of terrorism , terrorist philosophy or their agenda.
We do not apologize for these heinous acts we condemn them.
LMAO! Yeah that is why most commentators from the Muslim community highlight the fact that they are toning down events for Eid in lieu of September 11th. Actually yes there are a good many who are apologetic. Save for CAIR I do not know of any single US Muslim Organization that goes toe to toe with the media and the general propaganda against Muslims.
The beauty of your statement I guess is lost on you. You consider terrorism an issue of faith and identity. Oddly enough the Muslim Diaspora's in other countries do not. And you wonder why I question the "balls" Muslim Americans have. The fact that you let others dictate how you define your identity and your faith is the most appalling thing about the Muslim community in the US.
And D6C good thing you consider yourself kin to the Terrorist in the rest of the world. You should be sorry in that case. To elaborate for those who don't understand what I mean. The context D6C uses is that of War. But most Muslims do not agree with the concept that Muslims and the West are war. Only the terrorists do. The fact that he uses an analogy that establishes credence to the mentality that the terrorists is disheartening and more so implies he believes in that notion.
And GlobalGal - I was born in New York.
And Sehrysh it is not tough at all. The fact is that the Muslim population in the US does not have any form of self-respect or anything denoting that they consider themselves equal to the principles of the US and its community. You seen any British Muslim go and apologize for bull**** they are not part off? Hell no. They respond blow for blow. Word for Word. They do not let others denote their identity.
The fact that the Cordoba house was renamed is a cop out at that.
can someone point out some sample acts of bravery and valor of european muslims that separate them from their american counterparts? is the veil ban still on in france, or has it been overthrown by the display of extreme courage of euro-muslims yet?
america offers significant freedoms of faith when compared to most other places in the world. american muslims are probably thankful they don't have to live all zoned/ghettoized like their unlucky socially stratified brit counterparts.
Umm .. British Pakistanis are not exactly the model minority. Comparatively US Muslims are much more assimilated with the mainstream society and have higher education and income. Perhaps that is why they are not going the Bradford way because they have a lot more to lose.
can someone point out some sample acts of bravery and valor of european muslims that separate them from their american counterparts? is the veil ban still on in france, or has it been overthrown by the display of extreme courage of euro-muslims yet?
I second the request.
@ CM: I don't pretend to have knowledge of what I'm not familiar with. But funny enough, despite my limited interaction with Brit Pakistanis, the cab driver who picked us up from the Gatwick airport this past summer was a Pakistani settled in the UK for the last 25 years. In the course of the conversation we struck up, he was embarrased by the actions of the terrorists calling themselves Muslims and he understood why British society was now suspicious of Muslims. While one man does not represent the sentiments of all Brit Pakistanis - his views must be shared by some others. I don't think the apologist attitude is unique to Americans (and Canadians).
And it has nothing to do with self-respect to feel remorse. The remorse may be born of a sense of accountability. Terrorists perverted the Muslim faith to justify their actions - but what did other Muslims do when the faith was being hijacked? Did they stand up at the masjids when the radical mullahs were preaching about hate and condemn those comments? Did they speak up amongst other Muslims and reiterate that Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace?
I think average Muslims are finally taking control of how Islam is perceived not just outside the masjid, but also inside the masjid.
