ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE US

ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE US   We are surprised at the rate of incidents of Islamophobia in the United States. Hate crimes are rising. Hate graffiti are inscribed on mosques. Petrol bombs have been thrown inside some mosques and it has resulted in fire in some cases. We have followed these developments in recent years with keen interest. Already, 16 states in the United States are considering placing a ban on Shariah. The governments in these 16 states believe that Salat (Muslim mode of worship) is Shariah!   Nothing can be more ridiculous. How can anyone equate Salat with Shariah in this jet age? America is tampering with Allah-given and fundamental rights of Muslims. We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) counsel against an official declaration of hostility against Muslims in the United States. It is a bad wind that will blow nobody no good. It stands in contradistinction with America's avowed stand on liberty and human rights. It portrays those of us who are advocates of dialogue, non-violence and peaceful coexistence as shortsighted while it raises the banner of radicals and terrorists.   MURIC frowns upon the idea of 'no fly list' targeting Muslim individuals unless where such lists are made public. We also denounce the practice of rendition whereby Muslims are kidnapped in foreign countries and flown elsewhere to face inhuman treatment in the hands of security agencies of the United States. We therefore advise Muslims to avoid traveling to the United States without full guarantee of their safety and protection.   Finally, we urge Muslim groups hostile to the United States and the rest of the Western world to suspend hostilities and to open their doors for fresh diplomacy. True Islam must build without destroying. Islam gives hope, not frustration; light, not darkness; life, not death. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered