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I continue to wonder what the next step will be in my life in the U.S. and Canada as a young Muslim struggling to define my future in an atmosphere of continuous hostility and backlash towards Islam. I hope that we as Muslims of North America can survive as a religious community, and be able to participate fully and freely with respect to our religious beliefs in order to identify and maintain our future in society.
North Americans have to work harder to cut short the cycle of prejudice and hate that precedes understanding and acceptance. Perhaps by educating themselves about the nearly 7.5 million Muslims in North America that are amidst many communities to welcoming us as fellow Americans and Canadians would be a start to ending this hatred and misguided information. North Americans cannot respond to terrorism by inflicting their own brand of terror on fellow citizens and residents, simply because they are or appear to be members of a particular ethnic, racial or religious group. The singling out of people based on ethnicity or looks must stop now. I want to end this paper with an excerpt from a poem written by Mattie Stepanek an 11-year-old boy who’s outlook on life should be one modeled by everyone worldwide.
On Growing Up (Part 5)
We are growing up
We are many colors of skin
We are many languages
We are many ages and sizes.
We are many countries...
But we are one with the earth.
We each have one heart.
We each have one life
We are growing up, together,
So we must live as one family.
- Mattie Stepanek
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Comments
Some comments Tara Sachs | Apr 2nd, 2004
I am really enjoyed your article and am very impressed with your writing and points of view, however there are some things that I must dissagree with you on. While I agree that a negative image of Muslims has been painted by the media over the past years, I dont believe that when they report a suicude bombing that they are nesesscarily trying to make it seem that it is the basic Muslim way of thinking. I do believe, though, that they are being ignorant to the fact that few people are aware of the different sects, fail to mention the difference between Shites and Sunnis, and who is doing what.
I also believe that it is not only the job of North Americans to 'work harder to cut short the cycle of prejudice' but everyone's job around the world to work towards a better understanding of varying cultures and religions. And as far as Muslims comming to North America and having to 'assimilate themselves tp a new way of life', that is the case for anyone arriving in a new land and is not an issue that specifically affects Muslims.
Sunnism and Shiism Ayman El Hakea | Jun 16th, 2004
As Tara has brought up the ignorance of many westerners about the difference between Sunnis and Shiites, I have to make an important statement.. Most westerners believe that Islam is just a religion, or simply a relation between the Muslim and his God. This view lacks a lot of the whole picture of Islam. Islam is-to Muslims-a complete life system, regulating spirituality, as well as worldly affairs, including state, economy, society, scientific research, literature, art, etc...
Therefore, most westerners miss the fact that Sunnism and Shiism are considered as "political" views, and not religious or spiritual views. The disagreement between Sunnis and Shiites is on whom to lead the Islamic nation, and not on the whole bill.
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