A Republican candidate for Congress from Tennessee Lou Ann Zelenik argued against building a mosque in a Nashville’s suburb because according to her it poses a “threat to her state’s moral and political foundation.” She describes the planned mosque as an “Islamic training center,” and stands “with those who oppose” building it (Arab Times June 26, 2010). Moreover, Zelenik argued that the planned Islamic center in Nashville is “designed to fracture the moral and political foundation of Middle Tennessee.” Furthermore, she called on the American Muslim community in her town to “find it in their hearts to separate themselves from their evil, radical counterparts, to condemn those who want to destroy our civilization and will fight them.” Zelenik ends her statements about the mosque by stating that “we are not obligated to open our society to any of them,” meaning American Muslims.

I do agree with Zelenik about the need for sane and rational people to condemn radicalism, terrorism and all sorts of intolerance. However, a Muslim individual whether he or she is an American, a Kuwaiti or a Somali is not obliged to condemn terrorism 24/7 nor do they need to feel guilty or feel an urge to separate themselves from any mad act of intolerance, which allegedly happen in the name of Islam! As a rational Muslim, I realize that my true Islamic faith calls for peace and harmony among all humans. As such, my only moral obligation in this regard is just like any other human: to condemn all kinds of atrocities committed against any of God’s creatures. In fact, as a Muslim I do not have to carry on my shoulder and forever condemn inhumane acts committed under the name of my culture, Islamic civilization... etc.

As Muslims, I think we have had enough patronizing, demeaning by those who disguise their racial and religious intolerance against us. Such people who target Muslims, just because they are of a different faith, are the real bigots using regional or local politics to ignite racial and religious hatred. Exploiting human differences in culture, color, language and faiths for naked political gains harms all humans.
In fact, as an Arab, a Muslim and as a Middle Easterner, I am not obliged to be always on the lookout for every crazed-minded intolerant person in order to condemn him or her! I am only obliged to follow a peaceful and productive way of life, while continuously trying to spread more tolerance in my own community, society and country. Otherwise, no one has the right to impose upon me as a Muslim spokesman- ship for all Muslims! Likewise, no one has the right to impose on the Tennessean Republican candidate Lou Ann Zelenik to speak for all intolerant people, bigots and chauvinists in her southern state.
Haphazardly imposing upon us, we billions of Muslims, the task of “eternal condemnation” of every crazy or gruesome crime of terrorism committed on the planet by others who happen to be like us, Muslim, is far-fetched and unrealistic. My only task as a rational human being and as a Muslim is to follow the path of righteousness, which in true Islam calls for the spreading of messages of peace, harmony and productive coexistence among humans.

khaledaljenfawi@yahoo.com