Ignorance is NOT bliss. The American “war on terror” exploits the haunting fear of the unknown. Ten years after 9/11, many people still don’t bother to find out who Muslims are. We are moving far away from the Lower Manhattan tragedy that changed the world, yet we are not progressing. The very foundation on which this country was built, that we are all equal and all have the right to practice religion freely, is squandered when a person says “the size of their buildings means something”. I’m curious to know what that means.
A friendly reminder to Islamophobes: Much of the Middle East, Muslim-majority countries have been dying in revolts since the beginning of the year that commemorates the 10th anniversary of September 11th. And their fight is not screaming “Death to America”; it’s one for freedom and democracy, precious human values that so many Westerners feel Muslims threaten.
Please get to know your neighbors, your classmates, educators, taxi drivers! Those odd-looking people who may dress differently and have foreign beliefs, came to the United States looking for that same thing you find such comfort in: a home. Who knows, maybe after a couple of conversations they may not seem so alien after all.
tahririnyc 