[OSList] Opening Space for Standing with Muslims

[Harold Shinsato via OSList]

Hi Carmela,

Thank you so much for your post. I hope you don't mind if I shift the 
subject line. Please feel free to change it to something else, but I 
think this is a different topic than Daniel Mezick's post about Group 
Relations. And perhaps it is one of the most critical areas today that 
could use Open Space. And for the record, which I repeat below - I find 
the killings done in the name of Islam just as bad as the killings in 
the name of advancing Christianity, Democracy, or anything else for that 
matter

الله أكبر

I find "opening space for the unlovely" like the particular wealthy 
individual mentioned earlier as appealing as opening space for Adolf 
Hitler or Racial Supremacists. And while I would fight for "Free Speech" 
rights, falsely screaming fire in a crowded theater is not "free speech".

As much horror/fear/uncertainty/doubt was triggered by 9/11, it also 
counter-intuitively has opened a vast amount of space for awareness of 
Islam. Although I'm sure people have strong views one way or the other - 
I would hope people could open their minds to how powerful a civilizing 
influence Islam was to the Arabian peninsula, and how much science and 
philosophy from the Greeks was only saved because of Muslim 
civilization. And beyond salvaging Greek philosophy, while Europe 
stagnated in it's "Dark Ages", Muslim Civilization was at that time the 
pinnacle of human achievement where there were great advances in 
science, math, philosophy, architecture, governance, and the arts. 
Arabic was considered a classical language in Europe. And the first 
University in Europe was in Moorish (Islamic) Spain, where the royalty 
and wealthy of Europe sent their children to be educated.

I would also hope more would consider "common knowledge" that the 
"Crusades" were a "barbarian invasion". Even good scholars in the West 
acknowledge this truth, which is hard to ignore when you look into the 
history of how some of the first crusaders turned cannibal, and killed 
everyone - Jews, Christians, and Muslims - creating a sea of blood where 
the locals (who were peaceful with each other) sought refuge from the 
invaders coming to "liberate" them. (Please see the excellent 
documentary series from BBC & PBS with Monty Python's Terry Jones 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades_%28BBC_TV_series%29> ).

Hopefully a fanatical regime in the U.S. won't round me up for having 
posted this, but if they do, I'll consider it an honor.  And to repeat - 
I find the killings done in the name of Islam just as bad as the 
killings in the name of advancing Christianity, Democracy, or anything 
else for that matter.

     Peace Be Upon You,
     Harold


On 12/10/15 9:26 PM, Carmela Ariza via OSList wrote:
> Dear all
>
> On December 1 I dreamt that there will be world war 3.
> I hope and pray today's conflicts will not exacerbate anymore.
> The presidential campaign in the US is not helping in de-escalating 
> and reducing tensions.
>
> Here is one important piece I read in FB from a Muslim who fears for 
> their life - from Sofia Ali-Khan.
>
> "Dear Non-Muslim Allies,
>
> I am writing to you because it has gotten just that bad.  I have found 
> myself telling too many people about the advice given to me years ago 
> by the late composer Herbert Brun, a German Jew who fled Germany at 
> the age of 15:  “be sure that your passport is in order.”  It’s not 
> enough to laugh at Donald Trump anymore.  The rhetoric about Muslims 
> has gotten so nasty, and is everywhere, on every channel, every 
> newsfeed.  It is clearly fueling daily events of targeted violence, 
> vandalism, vigilante harassment, discrimination.  I want you to know 
> that it has gotten bad enough that my family and I talk about what to 
> keep on hand if we need to leave quickly, and where we should go, 
> maybe if the election goes the wrong way, or if folks get stirred up 
> enough to be dangerous before the election.  When things seem less 
> scary, we talk about a five or a ten year plan to go somewhere where 
> cops don’t carry guns and hate speech isn’t allowed on network 
> television.  And if you don’t already know this about me, I want you 
> to know that I was born in this country.  I have lived my whole life 
> in this country. I have spent my entire adult life working to help the 
> poor, the disabled and the dispossessed access the legal system in 
> this country.  And I want you to know that I am devoutly and proudly 
> Muslim.
> I am writing this in response to a non Muslim friend’s question about 
> what she can do.  Because there is much that can be done in solidarity:
>
> If you see a Muslim or someone who might be identified as Muslim being 
> harassed, stop, say something, intervene, call for help.
>
> If you ride public transportation, sit next to the hijabi woman and 
> say asalam ‘alaykum (That means ‘peace to you.’).  Don’t worry about 
> mispronouncing it; she won’t care.  Just say "peace" if you like. 
>  She’ll smile; smile back.  If you feel like it, start a conversation. 
>  If you don’t, sit there and make sure no one harasses her.
>
> If you have a Muslim work colleague, check in.  Tell them that the 
> news is horrifying and you want them to know you’re there for them.
>
> If you have neighbors who are Muslim, keep an eye out for them.  If 
> you’re walking your kids home from the bus stop, invite their kids to 
> walk with you.
>
> Talk to your kids.  They're picking up on the anti-Muslim message. 
>  Make sure they know how you feel and talk to them about what they can 
> do when they see bullying or hear hate speech at school.
>
> Call out hate speech when you hear it—if it incites hatred or violence 
> against a specified group, call it out: in your living room, at work, 
> with friends, in public.  It is most important that you do this among 
> folks who may not know a Muslim.
>
> Set up a “learn about Islam” forum at your book club, school, 
> congregation, dinner club.  Call your state CAIR organization, 
> interfaith group or local mosque and see if there is someone who has 
> speaking experience and could come and answer questions about Islam 
> and American Muslims for your group.  They won’t be offended.  They 
> will want the opportunity to do something to dispel the nastiness.
>
> Write Op Eds and articles saying how deplorable the anti-Muslim 
> rhetoric has gotten and voice your support for Muslim Americans in 
> whatever way you can.
>
> Call your state and local representatives, let them know that you are 
> concerned about hate speech against your Muslim friends and neighbors 
> in politics and the media, that it is unacceptable and you want them 
> to call it out whenever they hear it, on your behalf.
>
> Out yourself as someone who won’t stand for Islamophobia, or will 
> stand with Muslims—there is an awful lot of hate filling the airways, 
> and there are an awful lot of people with access to the media and/or 
> authority stirring the pot about Muslims.  Please help fill that space 
> with support instead.  Post, write, use your profile picture or blog 
> to voice your support.
>
> Ask me anything.  Really.  Engage the Muslims in your life.  Make sure 
> you really feel comfortable standing for and with your Muslim friends, 
> neighbors, coworkers.
>
> I can tell you that in addition to the very real threat to their civil 
> and human rights that Muslims are facing, we are dealing with a 
> tremendous amount of anxiety.  While we, many of us, rely on our faith 
> to stay strong, we are human.  This is not an easy time.  What you do 
> will mean everything to the Muslim Americans around you.  Thank you 
> for reading and bless you in your efforts.  Share freely.
>
> media inquiries to:   fb.muslim.allies at gmail dot com  540 315 1823
> #standingwithmuslims"
>
> Peace to all!
>
> Carms
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

-- 
Harold Shinsato
harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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