Back   OpEd News
Font
PageWidth
Original Content at
https://www.opednews.com/articles/I-m-a-Muslim-too-by-carol-wolman-MD-Freedom_Muslim_Muslim-Registration-170129-953.html
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

January 29, 2017

I'm a Muslim, too

By carol wolman, MD

What if millions of Americans who believe in peace, justice, and working to mitigate climate change registered as Muslim, if such a registry is set up? What better way to protect our Muslim brothers and sisters from persecution?

::::::::

We the people
We the people
(Image by farley)
  Details   DMCA
Trump's Immigration Ban Blocks Travelers at Airports Around Globe http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/refugees-detained-at-us-airports-prompting-legal-challenges-to-trump%E2%80%99s-immigration-order/ar-AAmlusq

Although this measure is supposed to protect the US from terrorists, the fact is that most terrorist acts in this country are committed by Americans, people who share Trump's values of racism, sexism and white supremacy.

Jan12, 2017 The Trump team has deniedthat the president-elect supports the system, but Kobach confirmed the incoming administrationis preparing plans for a Muslim registry. https://mic.com/articles/165239/muslim-registry-under-trump-here-s-where-the-president-elect-s-cabinet-picks-stand#.4pSshYC0I

Requiring registration historically leads to persecution. For example:

From the German occupation headquarters at the Hotel D'Angleterre (in Copenhage) came the decree: ALL JEWS MUST WEAR A YELLOW ARMBAND WITH A STAR OF DAVID. http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/yellowstars.asp

We all know that deportation to concentration camps followed fairly quickly.

Of course, the idea of a Muslim registry is a total violation of the First Amendment, which says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I was born a Jew, and grew up on stories of the Holocaust and the preceding millennia of persecution of Jews throughout Europe. Thus, I'm especially outraged by the idea of a Muslim registry, of targeting a group of people because of their religion.

A few years ago I asked a Muslim friend what it means to be Muslim, and how one becomes a Muslim. He replied "The word 'Muslim' means 'servant of God'. You already are a Muslim."

"Isn't there any ceremony or initiation ritual?" I persisted.

"No, you simply have to serve God, Allah", he replied. "You can also observe Ramadan, pray toward Mecca five times a day, make a pilgrimage to Mecca- but none of these are essential. They all help you to feel part of the umma, the body of Muslim believers, but the only essential is to serve Allah".

What does it mean to serve God?

Dear reader, do you work for peace and justice? Are you devoted to making the planet habitable for future generations? Then you are serving the Creator of life.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, the Creator spells out the situation we are find ourselves in today: This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live"

Well, what about serving Allah? Isn't this a different deity than the one Jews and Christians worship?

The Qur'an says- not at all- as shown by the following verses (Suras)

Sura 29:46; Dispute not"with people of the Book; And say ye, "We believe in what hath been sent down to us [Qur'an] and what hath been sent down to you. [Old & New Testaments] Our God and your God is one,..."

Sura 2:136; Say ye: "We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down to us [Qur'an], and that which hath been sent down to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes [Joshua], and in that was given to Moses, and to Jesus, http://godspeaceplan.org/

Despite these verses, It seems today that Muslims are at war with Jews and Christians, and that Islam Is inherently a violent religion. But in fact, the word "Islam" means "peace". The Muslim extremists who commit terrorist acts are false Muslims, just as Christians who commit genocide and other atrocities are false Christians. The Qur'an teaches peace, with violence as a last resort.

Here are some more quotes:

Sura 10:26; And God calleth to the abode of peace; and He guideth whom He will into the right way."

Sura 25:63; And the servants of the God of Mercy are they who walk upon the earth softly; and when the ignorant address them [Muslims], they [Muslims] reply, "Peace!" "

Sura 33:48;...obey not the infidels and hypocrites--yet abstain from injuring them:

Sura 8:61; And if they lean to peace, lean thou also to it;"" https://www.scribd.com/document/211307746/The-Way-of-Holiness-The-Sacred-Hoop

I'm finding no objection to identifying myself as a Muslim.

There is an apocryphal story that contains a wonderful idea:

That night the underground transmitted a message to all Danes. 'From Amalienborg Palace, King Christian has given the following answer to the German command that Jews must wear a Star of David. The King has said that one Dane is exactly the same as the next Dane. He himself will wear the first Star of David and he expects that every loyal Dane will do the same.' The next day in Copenhagen, almost the entire population wore armbands showing a Star of David. The following day the Germans rescinded the order. http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/yellowstars.asp

What if millions of Americans who believe in peace, justice, and working to mitigate climate change registered as Muslim, if such a registry is set up? What better way to protect our Muslim brothers and sisters from persecution?

I'm a Muslim, too. Are you?



Authors Website: http://www.paracove.com

Authors Bio:

Carol S. Wolman, MD is a psychiatrist in Northern California. A lifelong peace activist, she is helping to distribute a Peace Plan for the Holy Land- email her for a copy. She also a film producer with Paradise Cove Productions, currently producing HOTEL REFINEMENT- a feature film noir with a subtheme about torture, Guantanamo, and killing Arabs.


Back