Marking a solemn anniversary

The Chicago Tribune has an excellent article about how the Muslim-American community is taking stock of their faith today, 9-11-08.

That negative image of Islam—reflected in the Internet rumors casting doubt on the Christian faith of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama as well as his denials of being a Muslim—bores into the psyche of many Muslim immigrants, said Marei, 53, a Palestinian who moved to Chicago in 1979.

“It is our duty to show that we are good neighbors,” said Marei, a volunteer leader for Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy in his Albany Park neighborhood, where many Arab immigrants have moved near the stately Muslim Community Center on Elston Avenue. “All we hear about Islam—and we are listening with tears in our eyes—is Islam and terrorism. We must control our own image.”

The Interfaith Alliance is committed to helping the Muslim-American community become more fully integrated into American society.  Too often our Muslim brethren feel ostracized because other Americans unreasonably label all Muslims as terrorists. And too often, Muslims are singled out because of their religion for hate crimes.  Forefront on our legislative agenda is passing stronger federal hate crimes legislation so that all Americans can live free of the fear of hate-motivated violence.

On this date in 2001, the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado feared that a mosque in the Denver area  would be targeted for a reprisal.  So a diverse group of people of faith went to the mosque and formed a human chain to show support for their Muslim neighbors. Seven years later, our country still yearns for more acts of solidarity like that.