Speaking Out

Most Americans will not see the other side. They will only hear what the media will report on the 10 o’clock news or what local newspapers will print. The news will simply say four Muslim men, three of whom were U.S. citizens, were caught trying to blow up a synagogue in New York.

What you won’t read or hear is this: exactly nine minutes after the New York Times sent out an alert about the capture, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee sent out a press release condemning the alleged plots to attack the temple. It said:

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled by the alleged hate-motivated crime that took place earlier today against the Bronx Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center in New York City. An FBI press release earlier this evening indicated that four individuals attempted to set explosive devices at the Jewish houses of worship.

ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora said, "This alleged act of hate is absolutely unacceptable. ADC has been consistent in condemning hate-motivated crimes and any attacks aimed at civilians, especially houses of worship, no matter who the victims or the perpetrators may be," Shora said, " ADC urges the FBI to make every effort to track down all perpetrators responsible for this alleged crime and bring them to justice immediately. We welcome the FBI's proactive efforts in this investigation and remind media outlets and the public that hate-motivated violence is not associated with nor representative of any specific race, religion, or ethnicity."

The following morning, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) issued a press release praising the FBI for preventing the attacks on the Jewish sites. It read:

“We applaud the FBI, the New York Police Department and the other law enforcement agencies that took part in the investigation for their efforts in helping to prevent any harm to either Jewish institutions or to our nation’s military.

"We repeat the American Muslim community’s repudiation of bias-motivated crimes and of anyone who would falsely claim religious justification for violent actions. Members of the American Muslim community should remain vigilant in reporting any activities that could harm the safety and security of our nation or its citizens.”

CAIR also requested that media outlets and public officials refrain from linking this case to mainstream Islam and to challenge those who will inevitably exploit this disturbing incident to promote anti-Muslim fear and stereotypes.

Along with innumerable condemnations of other terror incidents, CAIR has in the past launched an online anti-terror petition drive called “Not in the Name of Islam,” initiated a television public service announcement campaign of that same name and coordinated a “fatwa,” or Islamic religious ruling, against terrorism and religious extremism.

The note also said something that prompted me to write about it here. Remember, my kids will grow up in this country and they will be part of what some ignorant folks will consider to be our country’s “enemy.” The note said: American Muslims are often accused of not speaking out forcefully against acts of terror committed in the name of Islam. This statement, along with the many other past anti-terror statements by mainstream Muslim groups, reaffirms the American Muslim community’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.

I write this because I want people to know that just because you don’t hear it doesn’t mean it isn’t being said. As a former journalist I know firsthand how skewed the media can be. Newspapers print and broadcasts report what people want to read and see. Millions of Muslims around the world disagree with this violent behavior and cannot be held accountable for what a few lunatics do. In the same way Timothy McVeigh didn’t speak for all Christians, these morons do not speak – or, more importantly, do not act – on behalf of all Muslims.

I realize this is a parenting blog, but sometimes I have to jump up on the soapbox and say something. I do this for my children, because one day just being “different” will make a difference to other kids and parents. And if I don’t set the record straight, who will?