I don’t hate Americans. It is only that I differ with them on several political views, particularly on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
In the case of Palestinians, unfortunately, the US media airs only one side which is presented from an Israeli perspective. The US media holds back important facts about the Arabs and Palestinians in order to keep the US public ignorant of the real issues. Partial and one-sided information has made the American public biased in favor of Israel and against the Arabs.
I went to New York and saw the World Trade Center in the Eighties and had the feeling of having viewed a great architectural landmark as well as a major symbol of American culture. I felt great sadness at the destruction of this rare architectural achievement and also for the thousands of innocent victims, American and non-American, who were killed in the center.
In an emotionally charged atmosphere, the American media began to attack Arabs and Muslims while the entire Arab world was deeply shocked and sad. The true feelings of the Arab world have never been conveyed to the American public. Instead, they were shown a distorted picture of Arab reactions to Sept. 11. Close observations in the wake of the tragedy revealed that certain people expressed happiness over the American tragedy. Serbs celebrated the devastation while the Russian people staged demonstrations in Moscow expressing their joy. These demonstrations were a reaction to the US-led NATO campaign against Yugoslavia during the Kosovo crisis. These public expressions of hostility toward Americans were not shown in the American media. On the other hand, the media launched a relentless attack against Muslims and Arabs without caring to verify facts. It is this one-sided presentation by the US media that has increased the gap between America and the Arab and Muslim world.
The American public have also been led to believe that Muslims are anti-Christian. Here the attitude of Islam toward Christianity must be made clear. An important fact, most probably unknown to many Americans is that all Muslims believe that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a messenger and prophet of God and that his message is divine. Any Muslim who refuses to believe in Jesus has no place in Islam. That is why Muslims call Christians “People of the Book” meaning that their religion, like Islam, is based on a divinely revealed Book. Another fact possibly unknown to the Western public is that Muslims should view Christians as their close friends. The Holy Qur’an says: “And you will find nearest among them in love to the believers those who say ‘We are Christians’ because among them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.” (Chapter: Al-Maidah, Verse: 85). In the light of this verse how can Muslims be hostile to Christians? On the other hand, Islam asks us to be brothers.
Islam commands its followers not to discriminate against Christians or Jews living in Muslim countries. Muslims must protect them, guarantee their safety and equality in social matters and give them full freedom to practice their religion. This is what a Muslim must believe, whether he is extremist or moderate.
A decision will be just only if the views of both sides are heard. Thus I ask Americans to listen to the Arab viewpoint as well. They should also at least be familiar with the basics of Islam before declaring their hatred of Islam and Muslims.
We Muslims believe in peace and love peace. Our everyday greeting and prayer is peace to all people and that the world be kept from war and politicians be guided by the love of peace.
