Muslim Inferiority Complex - To Zaky

Submitted by Tracy W (Canada), Dec 11, 2006 at 19:47

1) Regarding immigrants, I see the inferiority complex in many so called visible minorities. The problem is that Muslims do not, for the most part, make a serious attempt at assimilating. Prompted by their own religious beliefs, they continue to stand apart and to resent their host country.

I went to university in the States many years ago before things heated up so much. There I got to know many Iranian and Palestinian students. Their contempt was obvious. They were all nice people but totally anti-American. They did not even try to make a diplomatic distinction between government policies and people. They just called the US "a sick society". Maybe they had their reasons, but that's how they felt.

2) Religion should not determine success, but it does. Religion colors the entire life outlook of a person. A society can't make progress when imposing religious law, with all the limitations this implies, the oppression of women to name just one.

Democracy does not take hold because Sharia law takes precedence over everything else. And if you have one single enterprising and semi-secular country like Lebanon used to be, you are doomed by your more fanatical brothers inside and outside the country who will not permit you to succeed.

Iraq had one tiny chance at democracy (I admit, a very challenging one) but religious factions continue to make life hell for each other instead of working for the common good of the country.

I'm not saying that conflict is a Muslim or Arab problem exclusively, only that by giving religion a top role in the affairs of the country, they are stiffling the enterprising spirit of men and women and justifying violence in the name of God.

3) Regarding the doctor you mention and many other successful Muslims in the West, their good standing does not necessarily mean that they love their country above all, only that they have risen by their own efforts and gained recognition and wealth.

We don't really know how they feel, do we? Have you heard them make public statements against acts of terror or words of hate towards the United States, Europe, India, Israel or even Muslim countries themselves?

I have heard some Muslims, women for the most part, make brave statements critical of the Muslim culture and its violence, but they are extremely few.

I feel such sadness as I write these comments because I wish all these antagonisms went away. This is a small, fragile planet and it makes no sense at all for people to hate each other and to make things more difficult than they already are. Why not let Israel keep that sliver of land they have. Arabs have so much territory. Why not put religious differences aside and let people live up to their potential in peace. But I'm dreaming.

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