On Wednesday afternoon, I drove by the Islamic Center of Mississippi,just off the MSU campus. I saw several people outside and was moved to stop
and speak about what they were experiencing since the terrorist attack on
the United States. I was disheartened to learn that people had vandalized
their worship center.
I think everyone in our country and in our community should remind
themselves that Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and
practically every major religion teaches its followers to respect and love our
fellow human beings, regardless of their respective faiths. Only those people
with a perverted perspective of any religion can justify killing innocent men,
women and children in the name of their respective God.
We should not and cannot allow the actions of a minute percentage of
Muslims who are radical extremists and terrorists to pervert our views of
the millions of followers of Islam.
I can see a perfect analogy with the actions of Timothy McVeigh and
Terry Nichols. McVeigh and Nichols killed innocent men, women, and children
in retaliation against the federal government’s actions at Ruby Ridge, Idaho
and Waco, Texas. These two men were vehement advocates for Americans’
civil liberties and “rights to bear arms”_ perceived constitutional rights
with which many, many people strongly agree. However, could anyone possibly
claim that McVeigh and Nichols legitimately represent the millions of
sportsmen, political leaders and American citizens who have similar political
and personal convictions?
People like McVeigh, Nichols, and the Muslim terrorists who killed
thousands all have a warped, perverted perspective of humanity and the
religion or personal/political convictions they share with millions of other
loving, law-abiding, honorable men and women around our nation and indeed,
around the world.
Remember, the horrible men who brought terror upon our nation on
this week do not represent the Islamic faith any more than Timothy McVeigh
and Terry Nichols represent the National Rifle Association, the Republican
Party or any other conservative organization.
It is very important for our entire community and our nation to
embrace members of the Islamic community. We cannot stoop to the level of
McVeigh, Nichols, and the terrorists who have slaughtered innocent human
beings. If, however, we mistreat and persecute the Islamic members of our
community, we will be doing just that.