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IN THEORY:
Dealing with stereotypes
Many Muslim Americans and political observers are reportedly concerned that this year’s presidential candidates have ignored them and that issues surrounding Muslims, such as stereotypes that conflate their faith with terrorism, are being kept at arm’s length. What do you think? As much as religion has become a topic in the campaign, should candidates be talking more about Muslim issues and defending more against negative stereotypes?
Jesus warned His disciples: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16, New American Standard Bible). Our next president will need to be shrewd in dealing with Muslim terrorists, both abroad and at home, while maintaining justice and compassion for our peaceful Muslim fellow citizens. The atrocities, which have been (and still are being) committed in the name of Allah around the world, require a very serious, careful and balanced response.
Should the presidential candidates speak more about negative Muslim stereotypes? I don’t think so. Our country’s laws protect us all from discrimination and violence. If Muslims are unfairly treated because of their religion, our laws will protect them, as they would any other American.
I couldn’t say as much about the laws we would be under should the Muslim extremists’ plans succeed. Most of us realize that our Muslim neighbors are as peaceful as the next person. We welcome them as fellow Americans and heartily defend their right to freedom of worship. But we also understand that if Muslim extremists have their way, as they have in other countries, we would have no freedom of religion at all.
PASTOR JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
Muslim Americans, as a fairly new community, are seeking their fair and equitable role in American politics. Most U.S. population demographers agree that Islam is America’s largest non-Christian population group, or will be in a few years. So it would be natural that Muslim Americans would be an important voting demographic in the 2008 elections.
The main impediment to political inclusion in 2008 is Islamophobia, the irrational fear of Islam and Muslims. In the 2008 primaries, there are several undercurrents and overt examples of candidates in both parties who use negative stereotypes against Islam and Muslims to gain votes. Since the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge is strictly a non-political and non-sectarian organization, I’ll give no specific examples. Discriminatory statements or actions by political candidates and organizations are monitored and addressed by national groups such as the Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council.
So to be part of the American political process, what specifically are Muslim Americans looking for? I’ll offer a sampling of non-sectarian political guidelines:
(1) A level playing field where Muslim Americans do not seek or receive any special treatment (positive or negative) as yet another special interest advocacy group.
(2) Muslim Americans want to be welcomed as vigorous partners in countering domestic terrorism. A great example of this is Los Angeles County’s American Muslim Homeland Security Commission led by Sheriff Lee Baca. Another is the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s National Grassroots Campaign to Fight Terrorism, which provides policy guidelines and actions for mosques, Muslim community leaders and law enforcement to work together in a proactive and preventive manner.
(3) Muslim Americans do not wish to see civil rights jeopardized and basic constitutional protections for all Americans suspended in the fight against terrorism. We agree with Benjamin Franklin, who said, “They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Muslim Americans believe that our country can and must fight terror while still upholding civil and human rights.
(4) Muslim Americans want to lend their expertise to the shaping of American foreign policy in the Middle East, and
(5) Muslim Americans do not want their loyalty and patriotism questioned as American citizens.
LEVENT AKBARUT
Islamic Congregation
of La Cañada Flintridge
To be blunt, Muslims are like gays this election cycle, and I mean no offense to anyone.
Both parties want all the support they can get, but all the candidates are scared to death to be seen as going after the gay vote or the Muslim vote. It seems OK to talk about the African American vote, but it might be committing political suicide to court the gays and/or the Muslims this time around.
It might be great to hear a candidate say that all Americans are welcome in his/her campaign, but I don’t think it’s going to happen this time. So much of the electorate still fears anything that has to do with Islam — unfairly, I might add — and most of the voting public doesn’t realize that many hard-working, patriotic Muslim Americans will cast votes this November. Fear and ignorance are powerful things, and I think all of the candidates will try to step carefully in order to not be hurt by either one.
After Pearl Harbor, many Americans were scared to death of anything Japanese, and our country put many fellow American citizens in concentration camps because of that fear.
Unfortunately, many members of the Islamic faith, members who happen to be patriotic American citizens, have taken the place of the Japanese in some American minds, and our country is the poorer for it.
THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
I am very happy to see religion more a part of this presidential campaign. With more diversity than ever, we have a minister candidate from the Bible Belt, another candidate who grew up with a background of Islamic faith tradition and a former candidate who just gave a speech at the White House about freedom of religion and American liberty. This is very exciting.
People of Islamic faith will themselves dispel stereotypes by their own actions. Setting a good example and being active in their communities at large working and helping others is the best way to separate faith from terrorism.
L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “There are many people one influences. The influence can be good or it can be bad. If one conducts his life to keep these recommendations, one is setting a good example. . . . Your own survival chances will be better in the long run since others, influenced, will become less of a threat. There are other benefits. Don’t discount the effect you can achieve on others simply by setting a good example in your own right.”
It is up to non-Muslims to give our brothers and sisters a fair chance for friendship and support. The real need is for each of us to oppose negative stereotypes, not placing this as a burden only on those running for president.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology
There are undoubtedly some misguided stereotypes and incidents of prejudice against Muslims in this country, just as there are misperceptions and negative acts against Jews, Mormons and many other minority Americans. Thankfully, though, there does not seem to be a major anti-Muslim movement afoot in America, so the issue probably doesn’t warrant direct mention by candidates on the campaign trail.
I do feel, however, that the candidates should address prejudice as a whole. Any intolerance or bigotry is abhorrent, since it runs contrary to the ethical and moral values that this country was founded on.
To single out or stigmatize a single religion or community, in the absence of a direct threat, is completely counterproductive and only undermines the goals of the American people and the principles we hold dear.
There is much that national Muslim organizations can do to rectify any mistaken notions about Islam and ease the fears of many Americans.
I would encourage major Muslim organizations to look to the example set by American Jewish organizations, which address prejudice against Jews by repeatedly making public their stance on ambiguous issues. It would behoove the Muslim community to adopt a similar policy.
It is high time that all American Muslim organizations unite to issue a joint proclamation that explicitly states their opposition to all forms of terror, anywhere, against anyone.
They should make a categorical repudiation of state sponsors of terror such as Iran, as well as murderous groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda. I feel that this would help greatly to eliminate some of those negative stereotypes and put to rest once and for all the often misunderstood beliefs held by the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
America has suffered its worst tragedy in recent history at the hands of Muslim terrorists, and despite a general distancing from such by Muslim residents, by-and-large it has not been wholehearted. This makes everyone a little skittish when broaching the subject.
On one occasion I experienced at the L.A. Sheriff’s Clergy Academy in La Crescenta, I recall a female representative of a major Los Angeles Islamic center being called in by our deputy to share the Muslim community’s perspective with us.
Donning the typical Islamic head covering, she came presenting a “can’t we all just get along?” sort of message. One important question was asked her afterward, and that was, “Do you denounce what happened in New York on 9/11?” She waffled. She waffled so bad that we could hardly believe it. She intimated that the truth was really unknown, and then she blathered about corrupt American politics. She wouldn’t admit that such terrorism was evil.
In my mind, that was very telling. It brought to memory the following passages from the Koran: “Whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, we shall grant him a mighty reward” (Women 4:74); “Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!” (The Immunity 9.30); and “Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends. . . .” (The Dinner Table 5.51).
Those passages are enough to make politicians hesitate waving any peaceful flag of Islam, especially when running for president.
When Muslims can clearly explain how Islam and religious democracy may legitimately coexist, then candidates will surely reevaluate perceived stereotypes.
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Montrose Community Church
Jesus warned His disciples: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16, New American Standard Bible). Our next president will need to be shrewd in dealing with Muslim terrorists, both abroad and at home, while maintaining justice and compassion for our peaceful Muslim fellow citizens. The atrocities, which have been (and still are being) committed in the name of Allah around the world, require a very serious, careful and balanced response.
Should the presidential candidates speak more about negative Muslim stereotypes? I don’t think so. Our country’s laws protect us all from discrimination and violence. If Muslims are unfairly treated because of their religion, our laws will protect them, as they would any other American.
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PASTOR JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
Muslim Americans, as a fairly new community, are seeking their fair and equitable role in American politics. Most U.S. population demographers agree that Islam is America’s largest non-Christian population group, or will be in a few years. So it would be natural that Muslim Americans would be an important voting demographic in the 2008 elections.
The main impediment to political inclusion in 2008 is Islamophobia, the irrational fear of Islam and Muslims. In the 2008 primaries, there are several undercurrents and overt examples of candidates in both parties who use negative stereotypes against Islam and Muslims to gain votes. Since the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge is strictly a non-political and non-sectarian organization, I’ll give no specific examples. Discriminatory statements or actions by political candidates and organizations are monitored and addressed by national groups such as the Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council.
So to be part of the American political process, what specifically are Muslim Americans looking for? I’ll offer a sampling of non-sectarian political guidelines:
(1) A level playing field where Muslim Americans do not seek or receive any special treatment (positive or negative) as yet another special interest advocacy group.
(2) Muslim Americans want to be welcomed as vigorous partners in countering domestic terrorism. A great example of this is Los Angeles County’s American Muslim Homeland Security Commission led by Sheriff Lee Baca. Another is the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s National Grassroots Campaign to Fight Terrorism, which provides policy guidelines and actions for mosques, Muslim community leaders and law enforcement to work together in a proactive and preventive manner.
(3) Muslim Americans do not wish to see civil rights jeopardized and basic constitutional protections for all Americans suspended in the fight against terrorism. We agree with Benjamin Franklin, who said, “They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Muslim Americans believe that our country can and must fight terror while still upholding civil and human rights.
(4) Muslim Americans want to lend their expertise to the shaping of American foreign policy in the Middle East, and
(5) Muslim Americans do not want their loyalty and patriotism questioned as American citizens.
LEVENT AKBARUT
Islamic Congregation
of La Cañada Flintridge
To be blunt, Muslims are like gays this election cycle, and I mean no offense to anyone.
Both parties want all the support they can get, but all the candidates are scared to death to be seen as going after the gay vote or the Muslim vote. It seems OK to talk about the African American vote, but it might be committing political suicide to court the gays and/or the Muslims this time around.
It might be great to hear a candidate say that all Americans are welcome in his/her campaign, but I don’t think it’s going to happen this time. So much of the electorate still fears anything that has to do with Islam — unfairly, I might add — and most of the voting public doesn’t realize that many hard-working, patriotic Muslim Americans will cast votes this November. Fear and ignorance are powerful things, and I think all of the candidates will try to step carefully in order to not be hurt by either one.
After Pearl Harbor, many Americans were scared to death of anything Japanese, and our country put many fellow American citizens in concentration camps because of that fear.
Unfortunately, many members of the Islamic faith, members who happen to be patriotic American citizens, have taken the place of the Japanese in some American minds, and our country is the poorer for it.
THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
I am very happy to see religion more a part of this presidential campaign. With more diversity than ever, we have a minister candidate from the Bible Belt, another candidate who grew up with a background of Islamic faith tradition and a former candidate who just gave a speech at the White House about freedom of religion and American liberty. This is very exciting.
People of Islamic faith will themselves dispel stereotypes by their own actions. Setting a good example and being active in their communities at large working and helping others is the best way to separate faith from terrorism.
L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “There are many people one influences. The influence can be good or it can be bad. If one conducts his life to keep these recommendations, one is setting a good example. . . . Your own survival chances will be better in the long run since others, influenced, will become less of a threat. There are other benefits. Don’t discount the effect you can achieve on others simply by setting a good example in your own right.”
It is up to non-Muslims to give our brothers and sisters a fair chance for friendship and support. The real need is for each of us to oppose negative stereotypes, not placing this as a burden only on those running for president.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology
There are undoubtedly some misguided stereotypes and incidents of prejudice against Muslims in this country, just as there are misperceptions and negative acts against Jews, Mormons and many other minority Americans. Thankfully, though, there does not seem to be a major anti-Muslim movement afoot in America, so the issue probably doesn’t warrant direct mention by candidates on the campaign trail.
I do feel, however, that the candidates should address prejudice as a whole. Any intolerance or bigotry is abhorrent, since it runs contrary to the ethical and moral values that this country was founded on.
To single out or stigmatize a single religion or community, in the absence of a direct threat, is completely counterproductive and only undermines the goals of the American people and the principles we hold dear.
There is much that national Muslim organizations can do to rectify any mistaken notions about Islam and ease the fears of many Americans.
I would encourage major Muslim organizations to look to the example set by American Jewish organizations, which address prejudice against Jews by repeatedly making public their stance on ambiguous issues. It would behoove the Muslim community to adopt a similar policy.
It is high time that all American Muslim organizations unite to issue a joint proclamation that explicitly states their opposition to all forms of terror, anywhere, against anyone.
They should make a categorical repudiation of state sponsors of terror such as Iran, as well as murderous groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda. I feel that this would help greatly to eliminate some of those negative stereotypes and put to rest once and for all the often misunderstood beliefs held by the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
America has suffered its worst tragedy in recent history at the hands of Muslim terrorists, and despite a general distancing from such by Muslim residents, by-and-large it has not been wholehearted. This makes everyone a little skittish when broaching the subject.
On one occasion I experienced at the L.A. Sheriff’s Clergy Academy in La Crescenta, I recall a female representative of a major Los Angeles Islamic center being called in by our deputy to share the Muslim community’s perspective with us.
Donning the typical Islamic head covering, she came presenting a “can’t we all just get along?” sort of message. One important question was asked her afterward, and that was, “Do you denounce what happened in New York on 9/11?” She waffled. She waffled so bad that we could hardly believe it. She intimated that the truth was really unknown, and then she blathered about corrupt American politics. She wouldn’t admit that such terrorism was evil.
In my mind, that was very telling. It brought to memory the following passages from the Koran: “Whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, we shall grant him a mighty reward” (Women 4:74); “Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!” (The Immunity 9.30); and “Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends. . . .” (The Dinner Table 5.51).
Those passages are enough to make politicians hesitate waving any peaceful flag of Islam, especially when running for president.
When Muslims can clearly explain how Islam and religious democracy may legitimately coexist, then candidates will surely reevaluate perceived stereotypes.
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Montrose Community Church
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of burbankleader.com.
profxm wrote on May 17, 2009 5:32 AM:
" Wow, big surprise - 5 religious leaders are opposed to the separation of church and state. Why didn't the editors get a secular person to comment for this article?
Since you didn't, I'll go ahead and do so...
First, the National Day of Prayer is based on a flawed premise - that there was prayer at the Constitutional Convention. There was no prayer at the Constitutional Convention.
Second, who gets to say these prayers? Would you be okay if it was a follower of Osama bin Laden praying for "death to the infidels"? Or is the National Day of Prayer only okay when it is Christians you like praying?
Third, what about the seculars of this country? I pay taxes. I'm proud of my country. Why should my tax money go toward religious activities that are no more effective than wishful thinking?
Fourth, what about the separation of church and state? All of the people who commented for this article should be concerned about the integration of church and state. Why? Because when the state controls the church (it's not the other way around, usually), that means the church has little to no say in the state. Pick a random country in Western Europe for an illustration.
You should all be thanking Barack Obama for removing the National Day of Prayer from the Whitehouse. What we really need are 365 days of reason. "
Since you didn't, I'll go ahead and do so...
First, the National Day of Prayer is based on a flawed premise - that there was prayer at the Constitutional Convention. There was no prayer at the Constitutional Convention.
Second, who gets to say these prayers? Would you be okay if it was a follower of Osama bin Laden praying for "death to the infidels"? Or is the National Day of Prayer only okay when it is Christians you like praying?
Third, what about the seculars of this country? I pay taxes. I'm proud of my country. Why should my tax money go toward religious activities that are no more effective than wishful thinking?
Fourth, what about the separation of church and state? All of the people who commented for this article should be concerned about the integration of church and state. Why? Because when the state controls the church (it's not the other way around, usually), that means the church has little to no say in the state. Pick a random country in Western Europe for an illustration.
You should all be thanking Barack Obama for removing the National Day of Prayer from the Whitehouse. What we really need are 365 days of reason. "
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