This Pope thing just wont die...

First and foremost, let me address the skeptics out there by saying that no not all Muslims are reacting violently or even care what the Pope has said and yes we are upset about the Muslims that are reacting violently. For those who keep wondering where are the positive voices, let me tell you they exist in mass, but the only way you might happen upon them is in places like this, on a blog, on a MSG board, on an Internet website, or as official statements at the various prestigious Islamic institutions across the globe. Why, because Peaceful Muslims that participate in Interfaith walks, talks, and conferences, or who do feed the homeless drives, or actually speak to the press at press events is not "newsworthy". The media in general, is sensationalized, and if its not provocative, sexy, or violent, odds are its not going to reach your television. Personally, I wrote and sent an Op-ed to the Washington Post, wrote on several MSG Boards, and spoke on the Joe Madison talk radio show this morning as a caller. I'm just one lone Muslim, and many would have never heard these words unless they were privy to these actions or went looking for them, as is the case with most Muslims like me. I have no problem going on National TV or any other media or platform, but does that mean I would get invited? Maybe if I was a radical cleric or terrorist, but not as a patriotic, peaceful, loving Muslim and father of five. Here is a recent post I put on a Message board to fully illustrate my views on the subject:

"First and foremost there is no "large violent protests", If all Muslims felt that way, the world would be in Anarchy right now. There are 1.5 Billion Muslims, damn near 1/5 of the worlds population. What you are seeing is media spin. There are isolated incidents with groups of 200-2000 Muslims acting an ass for the camera. In the places these things are happening is predictable: The ME, East Africa, and some parts of Asia, then of course you have the same big mouth idiot in the UK. Outside of that, most Muslims haven't said a word publicly except maybe a spill on the radio, op-ed, or some other letter, etc. My Imam addressed this very thing this past Friday, who BTW is not only in a Partnership with the FBI, but also heads over one of the largest if not the largest Masjid in the DC area, and is the vice-president of the Islamic Society of North America(ISNA) in other words he's a prestigious and well respected man, he said in this month alone he attended several press conferences with CNN, the Post, etc. and every time he gets asked "where is the Muslim condemnation of radicals" he said he once again condemned them for the 1000th time, but he also chastised the media for silencing the positive voices. He remarked that the reason why you don't hear these voices is because its not "newsworthy" no one wants to hear about the interfaith meetings, no one wants to hear about the 9/11 unity walks, or the Jewish/Muslim Peace Walks around the country, that stuff is boring, but if an Imam says something stupid, or people act out in the streets, then that is the news and that's what you hear. Its like October last year, I attended the Millions More Movement and it was a huge and peaceful event, many said there were over 1 million people, but did that get coverage, maybe 10 seconds, what got news that day was the group of people in Cleveland that rioted over the KKK march. The news is good at shaping public opinion. Its not that hard to go to the large and respected Islamic institutions around the globe to see the official stances on these things, but one has to go look first. But if your one who gets all your information from the TV, than of course your going to be blind to what is truly going on. The only way Muslims get a voice in this country is if we blow something up, outside of that, you have to do Internet searches, read a book, and look at the very back of local newspapers."

One thing that remains true throughout the ages, good or bad, people tend to do whats convenient. For the media that is show or report the things that get the ratings, and unfortunately, in our society, that's rarely anything positive.

Muslim disappointment

I am beginning to feel like I live in some kind of Islamic vacuum. Its becoming increasingly clear that the larger Muslim communities are being apathetic to what is occurring in our so-called Islamic world. The only time we appear to care about anything is when someone "insults" our religion or our beloved Prophet(saw). Whether its a cartoon, a story about a Quran on the toilet, or recently the comments by the Pope, you can always count on some council, cleric, or organization to rally the Muslim troops to protest and show their anger.

As a Muslim, I have to admit that it is making me sick to my stomach to see such vain and pathetic displays of emotion. How can we sit back and get angry at these actions, without considering the ideas that produced these actions? When will we wake up and smell the coffee so to speak? We are so quick to get mad because someone insulted us, yet we never ask why have they done so. Nor do we ever ask what produced the mind that insults us.

Now don't get me wrong, I truly understand that there is ignorance and hate in the world, however, I also understand that people don't necessarily make ideas up in their head. Where do the ideas come from that makes people feel its OK to "insult" Muslims? What are Muslims doing that is so bad that people feel they have a defense to such insults?

As Muslims we are quick to point out that Islam is a religion of peace and the majority of Muslims in the world are good, law-abiding citizens, and this is true, but at the same time, we are also very quick to be apathetic to the minority that, like it or not, is defining our faith by their actions everyday in the eyes of those who insult us.

So what are we to do? Personally, I think its high time that we use all the energy that it takes to protest, condemn, march, etc. against some words that were said, or some image produced, and internalize it within our communities and countries. If we used that same zeal to create stable, peaceful, communities and countries, then we would truly be able to be outraged because then the insults and accusations would have no merit. But, as long as people can turn on their television and see the open hypocrisy of some cleric, organization, or council that will condemn insults, yet not condemn radical elements within our community, these insults will continue and we will continue to be as a dog chasing his tail.

We have to learn to accept the things we cannot change, have the courage to change the things we can, and the knowledge to know the difference.

Its about time we realize that no amount of pointing the finger or condemning Israel is going to change anything, until we first change ourselves. We call ourselves Muslim, yet in our oil rich countries, you have poor and uneducated masses. We have our children blowing themselves up, women being denied rights, we have atrocities in the Sudan, Palestinians without hope, and the list goes on. If we spent that energy and wealth into infrastructure, building up the people and places we do have, then we wouldn't have to worry about what we don't have, because if Allah willed it, those things would be ours anyway. Many Muslims have forgotten the basic teachings of Islam, Allah only helps a people who are willing to help themselves.

You want to help the Palestinians? Send those billions of oil dollars there to build schools, hospitals, a viable economy and government. Who would want Israel if home was better anyway? Send those billions to help Iraq stabilize, help modernize the educational systems, etc.

What about women's rights? The Prophet(saw) said "paradise lies at the foot of the mother" and Allah in the Quran said "reverence the wombs that bore you" yet you want to treat the women as chattel and keep her ignorant. You can judge a society by the way they treat their women. Where has our Islam gone? I hear more about Palestine, Pakistan, and Indonesia from so-called Muslims, but I haven't heard a bleep about Darfur? Whats going on! We are a bunch of hypocrites.

I cannot see how we expect to continue in this manner. I cannot see why we are so upset with the Pope and are not upset with ourselves. In truth, I don't blame the Pope. He should talk about us, somebody should, because we obviously don't have the courage to talk about it. 1.5 billion weak individuals, we deserve what we get, because we have become Arabs, Asians, Africans, Pakistani, Iranian, Iraqi, Sunni, Shia, etc. Instead of Muslim.


As Salaam Alaikum,

R. Salaam

My adventure in public speaking

Currently, I'm taking a public speaking class in college. In my opinion, this is a step on the long path I'm walking toward making a difference in this world. Those that know me, know that I aspire to be a politician or some sort of policy maker, and in doing so, it obviously makes sense that I polish my speaking ability.

Well, last night I gave my first 2-3 minute speech on a personal experience. Naturally I used 9/11 and borrowed heavily from my post on the subject in this blog. I ended up speaking 4 minutes, and while I was nervous, hadn't prepared, etc. Most say I did pretty good. Maybe this is a sign that maybe just maybe I'm a "natural". Only God knows for sure, I just pray that I will get better, and be able to get out there and represent those, who like me feel their voices are not being heard.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

Robert