First Muslim Elected to U.S. Congress
For those who fear that Islam has begun some sort of attempt to take over the world, fear not. Mr. Ellison is one among many Muslims who believe in working together for the common good. In a published statement, he describes that "people draw strength and moral courage from a variety of religious traditions," and Islam is simply his inspiration. He works for peace, the environment, the schools, the economy -- as every congressman should, and with the blessings of those who democratically elected him to this post.
There are a minority of Muslims who would condemn Mr. Ellison for "befriending and joining the kafir U.S. government." I am not one of them. As Muslims, we should lead and guide by example, by participation, and by letting our voices be heard. Amongst all the negative attention Islam and Muslims receive, it's a fresh change that attention is now on someone who is giving, rather than taking. Mr. Ellison describes on his website the influence of his father, who once told him that "any jackass can kick a barn down; it takes a carpenter to build it back up."
Mr. Ellison strives to be a carpenter, as we all should.
Elsewhere on the Web: Why Muslims Should Vote and Be Involved Politically, from IslamOnline.net
Comments
Mr. Allison is a person amongst the persons of America and all people of america and those of worldwide came from Adam and Eve, hence he has the right similarly with those general American. It is good sign that America at last has shown real non racism that give similar opportunity to non Christians or Jews to seat on strategic possition in congress. Hope America will keep on this way and I beleif America will be glorified by people worldwide as the country with no discrimination. I love America but hate them when they start the killing propaganda and send the killing tools worldwide. Be a good brother, America, no one will hate you when you become one good brother. All Moslem people are human like you and we love people who love us. Poor ants will bite when they keep on anoying them. Please consider that
Salaams,
I am againt the US government and consider it not “kafir” but a brutal capitalist system that feeds on the blood of children and people — people equal in their humanity as Americans (that’s what Islam says — we’re all equal). Personally, I wouldn’t join any such group but everyone has their own viewpoint. Many of us who are pro-humanity are naturally anti-Bush. And I think the people who consider the US govt “kafir” are wrong. One of the biggest allies of the US is Saudi Arabia which is also good at calling others “kafir”.
I also disagree with the notion in your post that if Islam was more than his “inspiration”, then it wouldn’t be right. This feeds into the popular view that anything purely Islam is “evil” or “bad”. We always need a mix to get a balance. From my life, I have found the contrary. My only religion is Islam and I am not “bad”. It’s a pity Muslims have started to believe in this “Islam” + another religion = moderate, a term that’s not found in my Qur’an.
If Mr. Ellison will try to copy the practices of the greatest statesman, Prophet Mohammad, then the citizens of the United States will benefit. He will be fair and just, sincere, honest, peaceful and always take concensus. Sounds like the people from his state are really lucky.
Salaams,
I also think that Mr Ellison is a good man. However, his idea that “Islam is simply his inspiration” is weasel words, the sort you expect from a politician. The word “simply” discounts Islam itself, and shows it very selectively as if afraid that Islam is worth nothing more than inspiration. Politicians are good at making PR statements even though they reflect badly on their inner beliefs. The other thing I found negative was the idea of telling people not to fear about Islam ruling the world. I was sorry to read sister Huda, whose book was a major influence on my turning to Islam, saying this because indirectly it may mean that Islam is indeed dangerous and wild and barbaric as presented by Daniel Pipes, Bernard Lewis and Robert Spencer. And Muslims saying: “No, our religion won’t grow. We understand it’ll harm you.” The idea that Islam is going to enter the hearts of all mankind is honestly from a Muslim perspective a very honourable thing. However, I understand that there is myth flying around thanks to the brutal and immoral Taliban of yesteryears and Afghan warlords of today that Islam is that and they will Talabanize the west and all that, also propagated by dangerous opportunists like Rushdie who apparently fails to acknowledge that we convert to Islam and calls our conversion “fundamentalist” in that negative sense. So my point is that we mustn’t give in to the propaganda because although meant well I think will stoke further fires of Islamophobia. When Muslims apologized for 9/11, did they listen? I was them then and was a few who did. Why should we mainstream Muslims apologize for things we haven’t done? It ends up reinforcing the falsehood that Muslims are indeed responsible for all problems, even those of the United States in Iraq. When will we, those who belong to two worlds, apologize for the actions of our governments and the majority who vote for them? Why should I be spat upon as a Muslim but not as a citizen? What should I tell those children I knew whose lives have been torn apart by both of my worlds but I only get counted as a Muslim, inside but outside I am the same as the non-Muslims.
Sindbad, I understand your points. However, there is a belief among many people that Islam *is* a political threat. My comment was for those people who fear that Islam has begun “some sort of attempt to take over the world.” This acknowledges that the fear exists, but at the same time discounts it as baseless. I don’t see it as “giving in to the propaganda” but rather acknowledging and confronting it.