Manhattan Mosque Musings

I have watched my home country from afar with dismay and alarm as the arguments for the Park 51 center have unfolded in Manhattan. I have waited through the days for the arguments to abate or come to reason but instead I have gradually sunk into dread and disappointment when reading the articles discussing the reactions and perceptions of Americans. I have heard irrational ridiculous arguments ranging from the lack of religious freedoms in Saudi Arabia to Nazis. Since when did my country draw comparisons and find relevance in the actions of another country that does not even afford women the legal right to drive? Saudi Arabia is a theocracy. No, nonmuslims cannot go to Mecca nor can a church be built there. But is our government a theocracy? Does our government have the right to endorse only one religion or exclude another?

I have heard repeatedly that the proposed mosque might receive funding from extremists or serve as a beacon of victory. “Muslims for Peace” sounds pretty extremist to me. A bunch of New Yorker moms is also rather intimidating. Furthermore, Imam Rauf, is a proponent of Sufi Islam, a neoplatonic (also a major influence for christian theologians like St. Augustine) influenced branch of Islam that many Muslims find so different that it is often considered outside the boundary of traditional Islam. Al Qaeda and other extremist organizations surely consider this proposed mosque an abomination. In fact, it is really a misnomer to call this project a mosque. It is a cultural center that happens to include a mosque. What if it also included a church, temple, and a yoga studio with free copies of “Eat, Pray, Love?” Would that solve it America?

There are a great deal of hysterics these days about Obama’s religion. As his approval rating goes down his potential “muslimness” goes up. “Muslim” must be quite the dirty word in the US these days. I do not remember being taught even in my West Texas government class that it was a Presidential requirement to be nonmuslim. Congratulations America on joining the countless Egyptians here in Cairo who also believe he is Muslim based primarily on his name, his skin color, and his attempts, albeit somewhat unsuccessful, to simmer down the tension in the Middle East. These are the same people who learn that the Holocaust is a Jewish conspiracy and never happened. These are the people who tell me that 9-11 was actually a Zionist conspiracy to get America to go to war with Muslim nations. In other words, one fifth of Americans are joining intellectual ranks with the typical Egyptian educated in very little outside of government propaganda. I’m sure all the members of the conspiracy theory club would agree that Obama is the author of this Ramadan quote: "Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance." Nope. That was good ol’ George W in 2002, one year after September 11th. He must be a Muslim too. 

There are much more significant things to get excited about in the arena of US national security that have more relevance than a far fetched, paranoia of creeping extremist Islam. Maybe we should focus on issues of more pressing importance to our security, like how to address the national debt. Or maybe the concern voiced by General Petreaus in March about how the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is jeopardizing American progress in the Arab region. It was announced yesterday that talks would resume September second for the first time in nearly 20 months. Perhaps we should use all our brainpower and energy to channel helpful reflection and analysis on how we might be successful in this endeavor rather than spinning up all our engines in an embarrassing display of Islamaphobia. Or maybe the issue of a nuclear Iran? Or dare I whisper it: China.