What Price Freedom?

Submitted by Dennis Barlow, Sr. (United States), Sep 14, 2003 at 09:10

My neighbor, an immigrant has lived in the United States for about 30 years. He never became a citizen and definitely has strong physical and emotional ties to his birth nation. Frankly, I do not believe that he will ever become a citizen and will, at some later date, return to his homeland. Now what does this have to do with Muslim-Americans?

Firstly, I recognize that about 30% of American Muslims are converts. Islam is growing rapidly in the United States and presently outnumbers Lutherans and most other Protestant Groups. American prisons have a substantial Muslim Population and many of our cities have Muslim Ghettos, particularly in New York and New Jersey.

The differences between my neighbor and many American Muslims are of great concern to me as an American. For one thing, he doesn't hate Jews, he abhors terrorism, he speaks out against terrorism, he does not trust any of the Middle-East Muslim Nations,
he appreciates and supports the United States and believes as I do, that the United States has to take drastic action against the cowardly sub-human terrorists from the Middle East. In short, my neighbor not only does not bite the hand that feeds him, but shows appreciation and loyalty for a nation that has welcomed him to a better life.

Since 9-11, I have found few individual and/or institutional position statements from so-called American Muslims, other than the pro-forma general condemnation of terrorism and a reminder of the President's statement about potential hate crimes against Muslims in America. These statements, for the most part, lack the elements of sincere patriotism and love of America, fail to condemn all of the elements of immorality in the 9-11 attacks and terrorism in general, and further promote the mistrust of Muslims worldwide and here in America.

To those of us who were shocked beyond belief with 9-11, the presence of "Muslim Terrorist Sleepers" in America and the continuing threat to our great nation, expect American Muslims to take an active role in the defense of the United States, the exposure of terrorists/American haters, the continued condemnation of Middle-East Terrorism and the expression of their love for and loyalty to America. Absent that, there will remain a great number of Americans who will never respect you, trust you and hope that you change your address. If you love America and hate terrorism, show it. If you hate America, then head home to paradise. Above all. remember that we Americans are slow to wake, but when we finally get moving, all loyal Americans will act with one resolve, whether Catholic, Jew, Protestant, Muslim, European, African, Asian, Hispanic etc. Until American Muslims positively "buy-in " to our way of life and moral values and say so, the ill will, lack of understanding, mistrust and resentment will continue.

D. Barlow, Sr.

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