I stand before you as an expression of solidarity at a time of profound sadness and deep outrage. At the same time I have never felt more affinity with the Sikh community because I no longer feel just the bond of geography and humanity with you as a human being of faith from India, but also I now share the common bonds of fear and anxiety of a community who, perhaps, was the real target of the crazed mass murderer. I also share with you the gratitude that so many fellow Americans have stood up with you and with us.
I share with you the heart felt common desire that the opportunistic politicians stop legitimizing hate and the irresponsible media stop peddling hate otherwise, God forbid, there will be more of these sad gatherings.
Samuel Freedman reminds us in the New York Times of Aug. 10, 2012 that when rumors of President Barack Obama being a Muslim who was indoctrinated in madrassas abounded in 2008, it took a Republican in the form of Colin L. Powell to speak truth to fantasy. “He is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian,” the retired general and former cabinet secretary said on “Meet the Press.” “But the really right answer is, What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no, that’s not America.”
“Islamophobia has become so mainstream in this country that Americans have been trained to expect violence against Muslims — not excuse it, but expect it,” said Reza Aslan, an Iranian-American writer and scholar on religion. “And that’s happened because you have an Islamophobia industry in this country devoted to making Americans think there’s an enemy within.” The increase in bias crimes against Muslims a decade after the attacks of Sept. 11 attests to this fact.
The inflammatory rhetoric and hate propaganda spewed by some main stream politicians not only incites these acts of violence, but it paints a whole community as being guilty by association.
Islam is very clear about killing innocent people, and Al-Quran, our sacred text, states in chapter 5 verse 32 that to kill one innocent person is like killing all of humanity, and that to save one innocent person, is like saving all of humanity.
On behalf of the Islamic Center of Long Island (the largest mosque on LI), and the Muslim Peace Coalition (an advocacy group fighting for the civil and human rights of Muslims and all minorities and immigrants), I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of Oak Creek and the Sikh community at large.
Let us all pray together to the Almighty for healing, for mutual compassion and for the courage to fight hatred.
I’m going to offer a short peace prayer in the tradition of Prophet Mohammed pbuh :
Astaghfirullah – Allahumma antas-salam wa minkas salam tabarakta ya Dhul Jalali wal- Ikram
O God, You are Peace and from You is peace, blessed are You, O owner of majesty and honor.