I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
I've shied away from writing this post several times. I'll start, then stop, then go back again, then draft an email to the editors, then delete it, then try and forget about it, succeed, but finally find myself back here again a few weeks later. If you're reading this, it means I've finally succeeded in putting something down in writing and pressing "Post Conversation".
A while back, after jumping into a couple of threads to defend what I saw as incorrect characterizations of Islam, I realized two things: that I am nowhere near knowledgeable enough to launch an effective defense of Islam, and that those on Ricochet who are vehement in their insistence that Islam is violent, dangerous and antithetical to Western society will not be converted by the likes of me. So I stayed out of it.
But it burned me to hear what commenters would say about Islam. Openly talking about "barbarians at the gate", or equating all Muslims with stonings and other despicable acts, or assuming that Islam is, by definition, diametrically opposed to Western culture. That itself is not surprising. What was surprising is that I heard it in an almost totally unfiltered fashion on Ricochet.
This website has been an absolute joy. The people here are intelligent, analysis is level-headed and conversations are civil and open. For the first time I've felt comfortable being a conservative, and it's like I have thousands of kindred spirits across the country and around the world. To a New York native, knowing you are not the only Republican on the planet apart from the few you see on TV is a truly great feeling. My life has been enriched, my political leanings have been solidified and I can truly say that I have gotten so much more than $3.47 a month out of this experience.
But not when it comes to my faith. Islam is not respected and is openly made into an enemy, both by contributors and commenters (a minority of each group, for sure). The American need, outlined by George Kennan in his lectures at the University of Chicago, for an existential enemy of the state, be it real and credible or not, has turned itself from Communism and Russia to Islam and Muslims, and this need seems to be reflected on Ricochet. Reflected in a way that is insulting to a law-abiding, conservative and proudly American Muslim like myself.
I know it should be my job to quote the Quran, and Muslim scholars and this that and the other person, and sound like a smarty pants to be taken seriously when trying to explain that Islam is not violent or dangerous. But I never needed to do that. Not because everyone I have ever met has been either Muslim or deluded by liberal political correctness, but because by making an effort to be a good person, those around me would start to see that Muslims can be good human beings and good Americans. But I have only personally met a very small percentage of Ricochet members and contributors. And I can only guess how many Muslims any of you know personally. I haven't had the chance to shake your hands, to talk to you all, to get to know you and to show you how an American Muslim can be.
I'm not an academic and not being able to quote scripture and think sharply enough to defend my faith is my fault. But I never thought that such a civil, open and inviting place as Ricochet could harbor such hostility toward the beliefs of another member. Maybe if I was in front of you, smiling at you and trying to be a nice person, it would be general decency and true civility that I know you all possess that would stop you from berating my faith as though I were simply not here.
"Barbarians at the gate"? Is that how some of you see me? Is that how you see my family? My mother, a local government employee; my father, an engineer; my brother, a medical school hopeful; and my sister, an Assistant US Attorney who has spent most of her career working for the Federal Government putting Islamist terrorists behind bars?
I don't think the CoC needs revising. I don't want Ricochet to be any less or more open to competing points of view as it has been since it's inception. I don't think that anything systemic or institutional needs to be changed at all. What I love about Ricochet is how it differs from the rest of the internet. Unlike open forums, people here seem to understand that you don't suddenly lose your humanity and all semblance of decency once you are behind the veil of internet anonymity. That is truly wonderful and makes for great conversations. But on the topic of Islam, it seems as though that doesn't apply. I get the feeling that many here feel like Ricochet is a safe place to be conservative, as it has been for me, but also a safe place to rage against Islam, which I hope it doesn't become.
This has been a long and meandering post, and I'm sorry for the lack of focus and the bad writing. But I feel very affectionately towards all Ricocheteers. You guys are my people. I truly feel like I've found a place where I can be conservative without holding back. I just wanted to let all of you know that, unfortunately, I don't feel the same way about being a Muslim on Ricochet.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
There are over a billion Muslims in the world. What needs to be realized is that there are more of you (peaceful, liberty-loving Muslims) than there are of them (violent Jihadists.)
But that realization is not something that needs to be acknowledged among us, the non-Muslims. We do know that. What you hear and read among us is the squeaky wheel getting the grease.
Where this needs to be tackled is in the Mosques. The moderates need to step up and make the changes in the Muslim world. Muslims, and only Muslims, can squash the extremists among you.
Once that happens, everything else falls into place.
Jun '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
I feel partly responsible for this. I've noticed much the same thing, Humza, and I've shamefully refrained from disputing the negative characterizations, whether due to apathy or a desire to pick my battles (being one of the few vocal libertarians here occasionally bites me). Please accept my apology, and the promise that I'll speak up when this kind of ugliness pops up again.
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for being here!
Oct '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
I can count many Muslim friends, and even employees, from my 10 years traveling in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Never have I believed that any of them were my enemies. One of my best Muslim friends is, today, in the Senate in Pakistan, and I usually lived with Umar's family when in country.
I believe that we, myself included, are guilty of using shorthand when we are discussing the Islamist movement, and simply use the term Muslim. I know I myself, although the distinction is clear in my mind, am sometimes guilty.
I mentioned above that I had many Muslim friends. I have also had several Christian friends, in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, martyred by the Islamists. Babar, my best friend in Pakistan, a Christian pastor, was machine gunned, and his body torn to pieces and burned by the Islamists.
We non Muslims also struggle against the perception that Islam is one people. You are no more one people than are we Christians. I reject the sins of other Christians, and you must rightfully reject the sins of other Muslims.
Let's all start over, first with the apology which is due to you, and redouble our efforts to make clear distinctions about our words.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:02pmJun '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Hamza, one of the best men I worked for was Muslim. He was, like I’m sure you are, a decent man. I also live in an area heavily populated by Muslims of all strips, but mostly shi’ite.
Personally, 9/11 struck me like a brick. I went from not thinking about Islam to cognitive dissonance. I have wonderful personal experiences to report with Muslim’s I have crossed paths with, and yet I can’t forgive Islam’s radicals for turning me into a sometime bigot. The reason I say sometime bigot is that I value my Muslim friends and would do all in my power to enhance those friendships, but when it comes to religion I keep hearing that I am somehow inferior to a Muslim. I know I don’t hear it from you or my Muslim friends, we respect each other too much, but I want simple respect for me and for my religion. As long as Islam deems itself superior to my Christianity there will be a barrier, perhaps not between us, Hamza, as individuals, but between you as a Muslim and me as a Christian. I would like it to stop.
Jun '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Humza, thanks for posting this. I agree with EJ above. But, I also want to add that Muslims differ a great deal as to where they are from, don't you agree? The Wahabists are really a major problem for us Americans. The Shiites of the Middle East are a mixture. The Shiites in India are very different again -- as are the Sunnis of India.
The politics of the Middle East is what we are dealing with now. I think that what really happened is that the Middle East troubles (and bad governments) over the last 50 years or so have morphed into anti-Americanism and anti-Western thinking. And this approach is seen as a solution by the Muslim radicals to see this as a religious war rather than just a difference in political and national interests. This was done as a way of enlisting more support from otherwise uninterested Muslims in the world. It seems to have worked -- it has at least kept the vast majority of Muslims quiet.
I hope you see that most Americans are tolerant and sympathetic of the good and moderate Muslims. It is a difficult and thorny issue for us all.
May '11
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Humza Ahmad: The American need, outlined by George Kennan in his lectures at the University of Chicago, for an existential enemy of the state, be it real and credible or not, has turned itself from Communism and Russia to Islam and Muslims, and this need seems to be reflected on Ricochet. Reflected in a way that is insulting to a law-abiding, conservative and proudly American Muslim like myself.
I appreciate your candor and understand how you feel. I am not familiar with George Keenan but I certainly don't feel that Islam fills an existential need that I might have for an enemy. You clearly have assimilated your religious faith within American culture but many Muslims in North America and Europe are not willing to do this. That is a problem that cannot be addressed without being willing to challenge political correctness.
Jul '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
I deeply appreciate all your comments. I guess I shouldn't hold back in the Islam-focused posts from here on.
Raycon, people I know and love in Pakistan have been shot, thrown in prison and had their houses burnt down in front of them because violent extremists have targeted Ahmadis there and across the Muslim world. I am thus personally invested in the fight against Islamic extremists and it pains me when other Muslims in the West try and make excuses for jihadists, blaming US foreign policy or Israel for the creation of Al Qaeda and the Taliban rather than facing the facts that those crazies are hijacking the perception of our religion around the world.
Mr. Balicki, I completely agree. Liberal political correctness has contorted the rules of civility to basically call open season on Christianity, while protecting any negative comments on Islam, Judaism or any other religion. As for Islam seeing itself as superior, Islamic governments around the world have failed to respect other points of view, even though both the Quran and the early history of Islam mandates tolerance of other religions. Again, extremists are hijacking my faith and I'm not happy about it.
May '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Very well stated, Humza. I'd have to plead guilty, I'm afraid, to letting my animosity toward the Muslims who want to convert or kill us spill over to a more generalized view of Islam. Your presence on Ricochet helps keep that instinct in check, as does Tommy De Seno's comment from last September about a young Corporal Kahn. I can't shake the image of Corporal Kahn's mother, resting her head on his tombstone. How can I paint all Muslims with the same brush, knowing you, and knowing of her sacrifice?
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:48pmAug '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Humza Ahmad, Never hold back on Ricochet. One question though : what kind of a pen name is Humza Ahmad and who is the avatar picture supposed to be of ?
I thought this was all about the cool masks,except for the editors who have to use their real names to get paid. Kenneth,for instance, is really a guy named Mandrake from Montenegro. I used a picture of my mom for my avatar, but flownover isn't really my name.
I was thinking of using Katrina vandenHeuvel, but somebody said it was taken.
And I'm not that sure about the editors, Rob Long is probably Robert shortened.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:48pmJul '11
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Thank you for the courage to address the issues. Sorry for my abrasiveness. Those who feel and act as you do will be the salvation of your right to appropriately worship in North America.
Nov '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
George Kennan was an idiot. Harold Rood (notable professor of international relations at Claremont McKenna College) once wrote a thorough take-down of the man, The Naivete of George Kennan, published in the old Claremont Review of Books.
Jan '11
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Feel free. I have no hesitation in defending my Catholicism. I even defend Jesuits, which can be difficult to do on a conservative site.
I'm not arguing for identity politics, but I'll be damned if I let someone take a shot at my people (Catholic, Irish, conservative, Philadelphia) and stay silent. All I ask, of others and myself, is that when I defend my people, I use reason. If my people are wrong, I hope I admit it and speak honestly. But if my people are attacked unfairly, you're darned right I'm going to respond. I'll be glad to be civil about my response, but I have no hesitation about responding.
How can you enlarge your perspective unless others share theirs? How can I enlarge my perspective unless you share yours?
I say that it's more than your comfort to respond ... I say it's your obligation.
Apr '11
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Excellent post, Humza. With discussions like this it is more likely for people to take a second look at what they think and process it just a little further, which can make all the difference. Even if you are not an expert on history or religion or culture, your experience as an American Muslim is absolutely relevant and valuable to the discussions here. I look forward to reading your contributions.
Nov '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
My take, Humza? Its all the more reason to speak up. Argue your point when you have time, ignore the issue when you don't. I think its becoming more and more valuable here on Ricochet to establish your voice and presence when and how you want. But that does mean speaking up and presenting yourself. For example, I was drawn to your post specifically because you identified yourself as you did. To me that's an interesting profile, and it will probably lead to something interesting being said. I was not disappointed. And I am in agreement with KC above. This isn't about identity politics. Its about bringing everything we can to the table to make our community and our conversations, more interesting (to overuse a word).
So thanks for speaking out. I try to choose one conversation a day to actively participate in. Thanks for providing a particularly worthwhile one today.
May '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
There's the rub. If it's just some extremist sect, why is that oppression the rule rather than the exception for Muslim-majority nations around the world? The bigotry represented by the many member governments of OIC (in various regions and cultures) cannot be explained by Saudi money and Iran's threats alone.
I don't doubt for a moment that countless Muslims are honorable, tolerant individuals. I have known them. But that does not make Islam respectable... no more than the existence of honorable atheists, Christians or liberals makes those worldviews respectable.
I have had many atheist, liberal friends. I wear my conservativism and Catholicism on my sleeve, and that has caused friction and complications at times. Some decided they could not be friends with someone with my beliefs. But people with opposing worldviews can be friends and neighbors.
Some persons are noble because of their worldviews. Others are noble in spite of them. It's not always clear which is which.
I'm not sure about Islam, but multiculturalism is wrong. Let's be open about our differences.
May '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
By the way, Humza, one of the reasons I started following your comments on Ricochet many months ago, aside from your habit of making considerate and well-reasoned arguments, is precisely that you have been willing to engage a community which openly questions some of your core beliefs. It is the same reason I respect Ricochet's gay members. It shows courage and charity. Thank you.
Many opposing, exclusive religious faiths are represented on Ricochet, but Islam receives especially harsh attention because there are so many governments and special interest groups who claim it and are clearly enemies of the United States or American values. Again, they might not be our enemies because of Islam, but we would be fools to ignore their similarities.
Jul '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Aaron, I think there is a difference between goverment repression that is honestly in the name of religion and repression that pays lip service to religion. Saudi Arabia and Iran are about as close as you can get to true believers, while Pakistan's problems don't stem from religion as much as they do from corruption, misguided priorities and lack of principle. Further, the preponderence of bigotry and human rights violations is better explained (and for more states than just the OIC) by a lack of consolidated, reliable, liberal democracy than by a large percentage of Muslim citizens. Just look at much of Sub-Saharan Africa or Central/South America. In the hands of corrupt, authoritarian figures, Islam is used as an excuse to repress, much in the same way as Communism is used in China.
Oct '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Humza, I'm glad that you spoke out on this. When I first saw your name and avatar photo, I wondered if you might be a Muslim, and I'm happy to learn you are. As a white, born-and-raised southern male, I imagine many people would be surprised if I weren't a conservative, but for an Arab Muslim or American Black to go against stereotype and prevailing culture, it can't be as simple. I'm looking forward to your increased participation on Ricochet.
Aug '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
Humza Please allow me an earlier sarcasm as I never really considered this greatest of all blogs to be anything but a worryfree zone. I do have a question for you. Where have you , as a conservative, felt more comfortable than here ? Salaam
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 4:23pmNov '10
Re: I Am an American Muslim, and I Don't Feel Comfortable Saying That Out Loud on Ricochet
I'll second Aaron Miller's statements above. I'll add: there's all the difference in the world between pointing to particular, individual peaceful Muslims -- credits to their religion and to the United States -- on the one hand, and the ability to make well-founded generalizations about the Islamic world on the other.* One shouldn't be pilloried as benighted rubes (such seems the insinuated accusation of, say, Claire Berlinski) for attempting to make the latter.
Continuities exist.
In fine, why is it that nearly every Muslim society (and not even a Muslim majority society) is fundamentally screwed up?
As for Turkey: Claire Berlinski's tale about her well-grounded fears of bringing merely a plumber into her apartment to fix a toilet, and the nightmares this would cause, I've always taken as extremely telling about the corruption/chaos/disfunction of such societies.
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* Claire Berlinski once pointed to Vladimir Putin and Sarah Palin as metaphors to deny any "essence" to Christianity as much as any to Islam. I thought this was strikingly misconceived. For starters, why is C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity prized for evangelization by both Catholics and "Bible Christians" who despise Catholics?