121Contact

Oct 25 2010 Christianity, Islam, and the hate monger Republicans.

It's simple truth, told simply:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWx3o6DbtHY&feature=related

Sep 14 2011 InterFaith NYC: Faith House Hosts Debbie Almontaser

In yet another showing of the heart of New York City, Faith House hosted an evening of "Discovering the Treasures of Islam in America." Debbie Almontaser's presentation was a personal account of an American woman's awakening to Islam, and how Islam in America holds a special place in the pantheon of religious experience. Readings from the Koran began the event.

No stranger to recent turmoil surrounding American Muslims, Almontaser (founding/former principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy and founding board member of The Dialogue Project) brought wit and warmth to the room, enabling the evening’s primary activities of people of all faiths talking in small groups and then together. We shared tales of our different faiths, paths, and then food!

Faith House, I think, succeeded once again in bringing people together and breaking a little more of the walls that divide us. I spoke with 'progressive Muslims' here, got to talk to a rabbinical student, an atheist, and...well, you know, it is New York City after all.

Sept. 14, 2011 by Bruce Wallace, 121Contact

Aug 3 2011 Islam, women, reformation and freedom; Snatches of conversation of Arabic/Islamic women:

Recorded Aug 3, 2011 by Bruce Wallace, 121Contact

Snatches of conversation of Arabic/Islamic women:

While it is true that women in many Islamic countries lack much of their civil rights, it is not a homogeneous condition of all Islamic countries. And where some rights in some areas are broad in one country, these same rights may be heavily proscribed in others.

In the Iranian culture if a woman is westernized then there is shame in this. 35% of the Iranian Parliament were women as recently as 10 years ago. The backsliding has been considerable. Iran under the shah was very free for the upper classes. Of course the poor suffered, and the culture kept many poor women from the rights that rich women enjoy[ed].

Muslim women do not need to fight for their rights. Islam gave them the rights. Of course anything that has to do with the body is different. These things are not discussed. But inheritance, law, property...all  this was written as new justice for women.

In Iraq there was never this idea. Women wore a wide range of styles of clothing, covered or not. Women were given a great deal of latitude. We had a wonderful life with freedoms that no other Islamic country has seen.

We can have friends, even boys, even men. I travelled outside of the country by myself. We were able to shop and meet friends and go out of the  house alone.

A teacher in a Brooklyn madras quit her job. Why? The atmosphere was too religiously strict; too fundamental. She is a Turkish-American who wanted to go to college in Turkey.They insisted she take off her hijab. She refused and instead chose to leave her family and friends andd come to America where she heard things were freer.  She said, "It was not a religious decision. I just did not want to be told what to do." 

Freedom means different things to different people and the culture in which one grows and lives determines a lot of how one thinks about freedom. Imagine a boy in his  early 20's and he never talked to a girl. Since he was 5 years he was kept from females not his mom or aunts or sisters. In his teens he feels his hormones rise but has no idea of what to do. He has only male friends and spends no time with young women. Then comes the father who tells him he found a suitable wife.  The boy will  be very happy. He will not question this decision as tying his freedom. His culture shows him this is not even an issue to be raised.

When Islam came along it was a tremendous liberation for women; a revolution of women's rights. But this was 14th century. Now is a new time for a new Islam.

You can't even discuss 'the book', making changes to Islam, a reformation in Islam. It is not allowed. And yet there are progressive Imams who speak of a new way. At the same time there are those like that Iraqi Imam who made fatwa for  killing Christians...as a good thing, a duty under what he calls Islam.

Perhaps in this time we are beyond religion; beyond the organized mosque/church/synagogue of religion.

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 9 2011 King Hearings Set Up to Persecute Muslims

Tomorrows Homeland Security hearing, "The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response,” sounds like a neutral investigation, but it must be watched closely for bias. Congressman King can hardly be called an impartial investigator and his selection of witnesses will be crucial in defining his findings. Zuhdi Jasser, an arch conservative Muslim who is a doctor-not an expert, is the only publicized witness. We hope the vast majority of America's moderate Muslims will also be represented.

The view from 121Contact:

• The enemy is radicalism, not Islam. Radicals exist in all factions of society, whether in anti-abortion groups, , eco-terrorists , Tea Party members, media extremists, and indeed Muslims, but singling out one group does nothing to help the situation.
  • Eric Rudolph: anti-abortion bombings, his Christian identity and religious motivations for the bombings did not prompt the media to question the loyalties of all Christians,
  • No hearings for Christian churches as breeding grounds of terrorist abortion bombers and murderers.
  • Part of the solution: Moderates of all stripes must stand together.Not a single minority group has attained a measure of equality without the support of the general population: not Women, Blacks, Italians, Irish, or Jews…We call on all Americans to support the mainly peaceful Muslim community.
• Within the US these hearings will alienate the Muslim community and send the damaging message to Muslim youth that they are viewed with suspicion based on their choice of faith.
• Internationally,  Al Jazeera’s recent headline, “Congressman is Attacking Islam” is an example of how King’s hearings are perceived overseas, the locus of terrorist recruiting.
• King’s lies are evidence of the unfairness of these hearings: “More than 80 percent of the mosques in America are run by extremists”—This is totally unsubstantiated; a form of "McCarthyism."
• He has claimed that American Muslims have generally refused to cooperate with law enforcement agencies on terrorism cases. In fact the American Muslim community is the largest source of tips. 48 of the 120 Muslims turned in for suspicion of plotting attacks since 9/11 were turned in by other Muslims.

We join with September 11^th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows calling for the House Homeland Security Committee to broaden the hearings to include all threats to national security rather than singling out American Muslims.

101225 Have a very nonsense Christmas

In a discussion with some self-proclaimed Muslim scholars the other day (yes, I do find odd ways to pass the time these days) I heard the voicing of caution against taking part in anything to do with Christmas, as if the mere giving of a gift could taint one's Muslim faith; could put a chink in the armor or ardor for Koran and its teachings. It was refreshing to me to hear such radical nonsense because it reminded me of the broad spectrum of belief that runs through all religions (and atheists, too, since their views on existence, permanence, and afterlife vary widely also). Almost every Muslim I know (save the sad extremists) adheres strictly to the widely held tenet, "One's practice is between one and Allah. Let no man judge another's faith." That's my kind of religion

Allah, praise be his name, would never stop a person from giving a gift. What nonsense. So here is my gift to you, the PT membership. We were rought together without our plan or consenst, but certainly within a larger scheme of things. We are as diverse as can be, yet uniformly dedicated. We are widely contrasting in styles, yet consistently united in goals. We are yadda, yadda, yadda...enough of the blather,
you've heard it before, and there are things I would rather
say,
like,

Have a Very Nonsense Christmas

 My Christmas wish

To all who hear

Is that your year be

Filled with cheer.

 Cheer for Barca,

The Yankees, the Mets,

And most of all cheer for

The peace that begets

 the peace that begets.

Amen.

b

101108 Liberty, Egality, Fraternity: Unless your a Muslim

In a publicized move at appearing benevolent France has offered up one thousand (Yes! 1,000) visas to Iraqi Christians.

Liberty, Egality, Fraternity: OOOPS! Make that Liberty and Fraternity-forget the Egality, and make sure you're not Muslim if you want to join the Fraternity. It is not just Christians who are dying in the U.S.-enabled madness of post invasion Iraq.

A. Mihtar, who has worked with us since March of 2004 has been refused a visa by France and the U.S. even though his life is in danger because of his association with Americans. Unfortunately he is not a Christian and so he will not be considered at risk. He is not a terrorist and he is not a violent threat to anyone. He has worked steadily for non-violence in Iraq since the invasion.

Western Civilization (oxy-moronic at best) stubbornly clings to its one-size-fits-all definition of Muslim-as-Demon. As economies worsen scapegoats are needed to deflect blame from the corporate-military-industrial machine. Muslims are the Demon of the day! Now ALL Muslims are being defined into one threatening form that is to be discriminated against--even at the cost of reduced civil liberties for all.

Where is the justice? Where is the rule of law when we make exceptions to bolster our bigotry? Not in this latest ruling by France.

[Thanks for the heads up, Lubna.]

Sep 8 2010 Fire cannot burn the heart of Islam

by Nisreen, www.121Contact.typepad.com

Today a lot of people gathered in the Dawood Mosque. Different people, different sects, different religions; just like our world that contains all nationalities, all religions on earth.

I wanted to speak at the microphone, but I was hesitant. I regret not saying anything, so I decided to write these words instead.

I am from Iraq and a lot of people have no idea about the Iraqi woman. They are strong and dignified. And I consider myself one of them. For this reason I wanted the people to hear me today. And because I love my country I have to enlighten some people who have already closed their minds. They satisfy themselves by accepting the shell; not thinking deeply.

As a Muslim what is going on these days against the Muslims really hurts me. In such a country as the USA where freedom and equality are proclaimed, lately voices are rising against building an Islamic center in Manhattan. An innocent young man, who wants to live in peace, was stabbed because he is a Muslim. And lastly-the intention to burn copies of the holy Quran. It really hurts me. Especially in this country.

And I am surprised. The one who wants to burn the Quran claims to be a religious person, which means he knows God. But he still insists upon burning the Quran...It's a shame. Unfortunately a lot of people are going to applaud and hail his actions. But they don't know a very important thing...

Normally there is a reaction for any action. So it is natural for the Muslim to be hurt by such an action. But I want to tell these people, who intend to burn the Quran, that one of the principles about Muslims is not to be weak, and not to bow to any except Allah. What they have to know is that Muslims are very courageous, and brave when it comes to their dignity.

Unfortunately, as Muslims, we cannot do the same actions. We cannot burn the bible. We cannot destroy the Torah, or any other holy book. Not because we are too weak, but the Quran forbids us. One of the conditions to be a Muslim is to believe in 'the holy books,' and to believe in all the prophets and messengers that are in them. So we respect all religions and we believe in them.

What I want to tell that priest is even if he burns millions of copies of the Quran, he is only burning books with words. The Koran is an idea and a belief. His fire cannot burn the heart of Islam.

100902 Accepting Intolerance in America

By Bruce Wallace, www.121Contact.typepad.com

 

We’ve been hearing about how tolerance is a basic element in American culture. 121Contact has done its own share of talking about this, but we’ve stepped back a bit now, and taken a harder look at the American psyche.

Actually, intolerance has been part of America ever since, and before, there was an America. A very brief list will remind us of America’s intolerant past:

• Colonial Intolerance
  • The Massachusetts Bay Colony’s guiding principle and religious authority overrides civil authority, refusing to tolerate any beliefs or practices in civil society that conflicted with Cotton Mather’s idea of religion.
  • Colonial women were largely viewed as the property of their husbands or fathers
• After the revolution, the colonies
  • In most of the thirteen colonies, Catholics and Jews were considered persona non grata.
  • Weekly church attendance mandatory: In more egalitarian Virginia, an offender missing three consecutive Sundays in church could be put to death in the early days of the colony.
• Later days
  • anti-Catholic Ku Klux Klan propaganda
  • mob attacks on Mormons
  • lynching of blacks
  • kidnapping of "cult" members
  • bombing of abortion clinics
• and now a new manifestation:
  • anti-Muslim actions around Mosque building, and individual hate crimes against Muslims

So let us not posit false foundations, based upon ignoring the truth, for our arguments against intolerance. We should admit our failings, as well as the deep roots of intolerance in America. Acceptance is the first step toward building more compassionate and peaceful tomorrows.

 

Sept 2 2010 Brooklyn's Bay Ridge Courier Reinforces Anti-Middle East Attitudes?

In the Sept. 2-8, 2010 issue of the Bay Ridge Courier we found a hint that Middle Eastern men in their 20's are violent criminals. It was in the Police Blotter section, by  Thomas Tracy.

Of the 10 perpetrators listed in this issue, only two were identified by region, race, or religion. Tracy reported about "two suspects described as Middle Eastern men in their 20s..." The other reports of crime listed less-identifying descriptions such as: 'blood-thirsty', 'thugs', 'thieves', 'conniving women', 'people', 'a man', and even 'a fiendish felon'.

The only group-pointer on the page was 'Middle Eastern.' This singling out of a group is a subtle hint to readers that this group is more violent than others. It reenforces fear and prejudice. Make no mistake, this kind of hinting has been proven to be very effective in the past. Bush and Cheney used 'hints' to imply that Iraq was part of the 9/11 attacks, without ever making declarative statements about it. By the summer of 2004 polls showed that over 70% of Americans believed Iraq helped attack us on 9/11.

That Tracy should be guilty of skewing the news this way comes as a surprise to me. I found his earlier reporting to be quite balanced, and around the issue of rabid opposition to Mosque building I found his reporting much more fair than that of the New York Post or Daily News.

So what's up, Thomas? A slip? An intentional slur? Or was the origin of this wording the Police Department itself?

Whatever the reason, given the current frenzy to demonize Muslims in New York, we feel it is important that our media take a more careful look at their content with an eye to the attitudes they help create.

Aug 30 2010 Newsweek's John Meacham supports bigoted actions.

by Bruce Wallace, www.121Contact.typepad.org

I'm not sure why, but a friend sent me John Meacham's Aug 28 Newsweek piece, and I read it. I have included the whole piece below so you can judge my opinion for yourself.

Although disclaiming support of bigotry, Meacham goes right ahead and gives actions motivated by bigotry his stamp of approval.

I love this part: "Christianity might offer something of a constructive model in terms of reformation"
Perhaps the model he alludes to includes: Christians publicly burning the Koran, or torching mosques...

and this part: "Still, Islam needs reform"
which paints all of Islam with the brush of the most virulent of its mis-interpreters.

Meacham is quite intelligent and has written words of wisdom about the religious fabric of American culture, but he fails to see the elephant in the room.

Meacham propagates the myth of the unitary thought of 9/11 families with, "The families of 9/11 victims and other people of good will would like to see the center moved to another location: first of all paints all 9/11 families with the same brush, and more importantly ignores the fact that if the opposition did not hold to the bigoted falsities of "Muslim=Terrorist and Islam=Terror" they would have no objection at all the the Park51 project.

Meacham is just another person willing to excuse bigotry in the name of good manners and sensitivity to the feelings a selected group. His arguments are both logically unsound and morally repugnant.

 NEWSWEEK, AUGUST 28.2010

Let Reformation Begin at Ground Zero

by John Meacham

The debate over the Islamic center in lower Manhattan—the mosque with a pool and a prayer room—is not a matter of being for religious liberty and thus for the center, nor is it one of being against the center and therefore a bigot. Sometimes life offers such stark moral crises. This is not one of them.

The attacks of September 11—and subsequent bombings in London, Madrid, and elsewhere—embody the most repulsive of human instincts, the will to power at the price of the lives of others. Elements of Islam were responsible for these deaths of innocents, and extreme interpretations of the Quran have provided—and, inevitably, will provide again—inspiration and justification for terrorist violence. Muslims flew those planes into the towers and the Pentagon; Muslims were in the cockpit when the passengers brought down Flight 93 in the fields of Pennsylvania. To indict a faith for the sins of a few, though, is a tricky business. Christians have massacred innocents before, too, and they have interpreted Scripture in ways to justify slavery, and the subjugation of women, among other things.

Still, Islam needs reform. There are virulent elements of anti-Semitism and sexism abroad in the faith. There are, as we have noted, big strains of extreme anti-Western, specifically anti-American, hatred. Christianity might offer something of a constructive model in terms of reformation (this is coming from a Protestant): large parts of the Christian universe have managed to adapt to modernity in ways that have at least discouraged the worst excesses of religiously motivated believers. Such work is what the leaders of the Islamic center in lower Manhattan say they wish to be about. The test of their sincerity will come with time.

The controversy in New York has helped create something America largely avoided in the aftermath of September 11: a climate of anti-Muslim hatred. My liberal friends think I am wrong about the seemingly distant autumn of 2001, arguing that the country turned nativist then. I disagree: to me, the remarkable thing about the aftermath of the 2001 attacks was the muted reaction to Islam itself from the broad whole of the nation. Certainly there were exceptions, but when you think of how much worse the anti-Muslim backlash could have been in the emotion of that hour, the country comes out quite well.

Now, as New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has pointed out, the lower-Manhattan fight has become fodder for the midterm elections and for the larger politics of opposition to President Obama. What America rightly resisted in the autumn of 2001 is threatening to subsume the autumn of 2010. History offers some guidance. In 1957, President and Mrs. Eisenhower attended the opening of the Islamic Center on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington. (They doffed their shoes; the first lady padded about in her nylons.) “And I should like to assure you, my Islamic friends,” the president said, “that under the American Constitution, under American tradition, and in American hearts, this Center, this place of worship, is just as welcome as could be a similar edifice of any other religion. Indeed, America would fight with her whole strength for your right to have here your own church and worship according to your own conscience. This concept is indeed a part of America, and without that concept we would be something else than what we are.”

It is tempting to end with these words of Eisenhower’s, and say that which was true then is true now. But that is too pat. The families of 9/11 victims and other people of good will would like to see the center moved to another location, farther from Ground Zero. That is not an outrageous thought, and it is not a bigoted one. In the end, the right thing to do, in my opinion, is to build the center on the site its organizers and the mayor favor, and hope that those who go there to worship (and to swim, for that matter) do their part to reform their religion. There is little more important in the war on terror.