...non-Muslim believers. There are 109 verses within the Quran that preach violence to non-believers. “Constructing a Mosque near “Ground Zero” is non-sense and offending as an American citizen.” (DeBenedictis) A mosque near “Ground Zero” should not be constructed do to a variety of influential viewpoints, mainly those of harm towards the...
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...Is America Islamophobic? Is an article in Times Magazine published in the August 30th edition and written by Bobby Ghosh. The writer interviewed some people who are Muslims, and they talked about their ordeal of living in America and being part of a religious group, which has been stereotyped as terrorist and anti-Christian religion. The article also follows some of the August events related with the big dispute and protests over the construction of the mosque close to ground zero. It talks on how Obama raised hopes for the Muslims by telling them that they were on their right to build their religious building, and next day he called this idea “unwise.” The writer points of view on the matter is how many Americans are wrongfully condemning all Muslims and Islam by the acts of terror of some radicals groups. I believe this article, like many others that have been published about the Mosque near Ground Zero express how many Americans are having a common sentiment towards the 9/11 terrorist’s attacks. Many feel sad and angry to remember this tragedy. However, they are directing this sentiment of Nationalism in a wrong manner towards a group of people that have been tagged as terrorists. In the book, it talks about Negative Nationalism, and one part of it is Xenophobia, which is the feeling of superiority and even fearing a different group of people that is not the majority (the majority in the United States is any denomination of Christian.) While it is a positive thing to...
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...Eng105 06/14/2011 Should The Islamic Cultural Center Be Built Next To The Ground Zero? The Lower Manhattan Extension remains to be the busiest spot on the globe for a couple of centuries. A home for hundreds of operating businesses, New York City’s financial district represents a strategic center of the world managed by IT geniuses, Investment Banking giants and other brilliant minds that push and pull the necessary buttons to control a massive and complicated mechanism called “The Global Economy” from their downtown offices. Consuming the whole city, contagious rush of the east coast misses only one place – The Ground Zero, a grave for thousands of people including around 300 Muslims, killed by Islamic terrorist group attack on September 11, 2001. In almost 10 years after the attack, the proposed construction of Islamic Center next to the American nation’s tragedy location became the heart of controversy that started with a small group of anti-Muslim activists who suggested the proposal was a scheme used by anti-American Muslims to conquer the site of the 9/11 attacks (Steve Rendall, Oct. 2010). However, according to the Community Center’s official web-site, the key points of the opponents turned out to be false: “Inspired by Islamic values and Muslim heritage, Park51 will weave the Muslim-American identity into the multicultural fabric of the United States. We will foster cooperation and understanding between people of all faiths and backgrounds through relevant programs...
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...controversy over the construction of a mosque (community center) at ground zero. Reverend Janet Vincent of Episcopal Church and Bishop Harry Jackson, of Hope Christian Church, argue that religious tolerance has changed and is going to increase because of the anxiety and grief that was never met after the attacks. Reverend Vincent’s point of view is that the absence of leadership from our government, including the actual members of our government such as President Obama (who is Muslim). Author Reza Aslan goes over the increase of intolerance, specifically Islamophobia, and how Americans are inclined by the depiction of groups such as “Stop Islamization of America,” mainstream media. All of the guests seem to come to an agreement that religious intolerance is unquestionably on the rise in America, except for Editor Nick Gillespie of reasons.com. Nick Gillespie view of the issue is that Americans are not any more intolerant of Muslims now than they were before the attacks, and sees no problem with the location of the ground zero mosque. Nick Gillespie feels that most Americans have confronted their grief, anger, and fear; and that the mosque (which holds members on its board of different religions) would be a benefit. Bishop Jackson, on the other hand, argues that due to the issues at hand, and out of respect for our nation, that maybe the Islamic community could demonstrate some tolerance themselves, take the high road, and choose to build the mosque at another location to help cease...
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...Films on Demand: Sociology Collection: Social Institutions Andrea M., Britteny Bates, Chandra Roberts SOC/100 12/6/15 Dr. Virginia Merlini Social institutions such as that of family, religion, education, economic and political standings, are set standards or patterns of governing within society. In many cases, this is used to rule over others, in matters of wealth and hierarchy. These social institutions are important because they provide some structure for society. However, not all forms of structure are appropriate. Many of these behaviors are used to control others or hold a type of power over them as a way to exploit them. “Unbreakable: One Girl Changing the World: The Story of Malala” This is a story of a brave young girl, eager to learn, who simply wanted to get an education. However, within her culture, girls are not allowed to go to school. Females are expected to stay home and are only allowed to leave the house if they are accompanied by a male. From a functionalism standpoint, everyone has a role. Women are to stay home, have and raise the children and take care of the house. The males are responsible for going to work and supporting the family. In recent years, the Pakistani government has opened up more to the idea of educating girls and have even opened a few girl’s...
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...| 9/10/2010 | Democracy in the United States of America In the beginning when the new world was not even a thought the European people grew more and more dissatisfied with their monarchy type of government. People yearned for the freedom to do as they wished, worship who they wanted, and work on what skill they felt was their calling. Thanks to Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus discovering a new land “a new world” to the west, slowly but surely these wants by the people became a reality. In this essay I will open your eyes to both the positive and the negative aspects of what type of government the United States of America uses as well as the ever growing issue of the Mosque being built in Manhattan and how the Muslim community is using our laws to their advantage. “Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal in the world.-Abraham Lincoln the sixteenth president of the United States. So what exactly do these words mean? The basic meaning is that justice and equality go hand in hand in our government, which is democracy. Democracy originated from the ancient Greeks, it is said by many scholars that Athens of the fifth-century BCE held the purist for of democracy that there ever was. From the beginning at the birth of this nation there was a democratic style of government in place. This was driven by the need of the people to have a voice, have freedom, and to get away from the European style type...
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...There are multiple recurrences in history with these type of events however, the most heartbreaking of them all is of those who are persecuted. In the Salem witch trials Source A claims 19 people were put to death by state. During the 1950’s Source B states that “Despite a lack of any proof of subversion, more than 2,000 government employees lost their jobs as a result of McCarthy’s investigations.” As for Muslim Americans of today, Source C reports that “In August alone, heinous attacks were reported against mosques in three different states: Arizona, Connecticut and California.” Whether the loss is a life, a job, or sense of security, what history has shown time and time again is a group of persecuted...
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...being one of them. He states the first purpose is to seize political power. This has been practiced through the centuries and still exists today. From Roman emperors to terrorist leaders like Saddam Hussein, their purpose has been to be the political leaders of their countries. The problem with this is someone usually has the political aspirations they did and will use the same methods to overthrow the government to fulfill their own desires. The second purpose is to affect public opinion and seize the media. We can see this best by what happened on 9/11. It’s ten years since the attack and it still burns brightly in the media and people’s opinions. Look at the controversy that came about when it was announced a mosque was going to be built near Ground Zero. People lost their minds, protested and threatened to burn a Quran. You can’t blame them for still feeling the pain, but look at what the terrorists accomplished with the attack, even ten years later. The third purpose is to maintain discipline within the terrorist organization and enforce obedience and conformity. The power and control that Osama Bin Laden had over his minions is best represented with this purpose. A number of his people could have taken control by killing him. He was sick, on dialysis and constantly in hiding for years, but the control that he had over his troops was amazing. The power his people felt, just from watching a recording of the leader giving them hope and instruction, was almost god-like...
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...Contemporary Issues in Western Religions Islam Struggles within Christianity and Judaism Islam’s nature of sacred reality is monotheistic just as Christianity and Judaism, and is very similar in their religious formation. The theoretical foundations of each belief are historically similar and all saying the same message, that there is only one true God. The Islamic religious structure believes in the same God as Judaism and Christianity, the God of Abraham, but Islam knows him as Allah. There are some differences in the way Islam refer to Allah as God and Christianity and Judaism prefer to say God but theoretically they are referring to the same one true God. The origin of Islamic way of living is to seek to serve Allah only, through the instructions given by Allah to the prophet and first Muslim Muhammad. The history of the Islamic religion is connected to Judaism and Christianity in the same way because they also believe the way of the righteous is to submit to God and instruction on God’s will has been given through prophecy. Only Christianity submission is through the redemption of Jesus Christ by the New Testament and Judaism submission to God is to follow the Laws of the Old Testament. They all began in the Middle East where Islam’s prophet Muhammad was the prophecy of Abraham’s first son Ishmael by Hagar his servant and Judaism and Christianity’s prophecy developed in the Middle East by Abraham’s youngest son Isaac from Sarah Abraham’s wife. Even though each prophecy...
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...Islam in Modern American Islam has been around for over a thousand years. Its influence has spread amongst several continents and it has even reached many Americans. A recent study shows that there are roughly 7 million Muslims in the United States1. That equates to about 2.3% of the population. Even though that doesn’t seem like very much, it has been growing and continues to grow despite the events of September 11, 2001. On that day, very much changed for the Islamic people living in the United States. Although they American Muslims had absolutely nothing to do with the events that occurred on that day, their way of life was destined to change. The change that occurred was not in their religion or how they practiced it, it was in the no-Islamic population. Public eye was on the Muslims because the attacks from September 11th were said to be conducted by Muslim extremists. The media was, for the most part, the only place American’s would get any information about Muslims and they were not portraying them very nicely. In order to protect themselves from bad public opinion, American Muslim were faced with a challenge. They needed to improve their image in order to protect themselves from the growing number of people that were against Islam and they need to do it while staying true to themselves and their religion. In 2005, the Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa saying that the use of violence against innocent lives was forbidden under Islamic Law. ...
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...INTERVIEW AND UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAMIC RELIGION April 20, 2013 HUMN130 Religions of the World Interview and Understanding of the Islamic Religion First I wanted to get a general understanding of the exact religion and people who practice Islamic Faith. I learned that a Muslim is a person who practices Islam. Islam is the name of the religion. Muslims sometimes claim that there is no Muslim culture, only a Muslim religion. However, people in today's society do not acknowledge this distinction since we view religion as one aspect of one's culture. Muslim culture generally includes all the practices which have developed around the religion of Islam. Muslims are obligated to follow the practices of Islam in every detail in daily life. These practices are dictated by the Qur'an of Koran. The Muslim's sacred book, which is considered to be the final word of God. These practices are reported to be the practices and sayings of the prophet Muhammad. There are several cultural aspects of the Islam religion that Muslims practice. For example, there are five major tenets (pillars) in the Islam religion a Muslim is expected to follow. The first is "There is only on God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger of God". The other four are the practical obligations of daily prayer, fasting, paying annual money to be distributed among the poor, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca. Islam is considered the fastest growing religion in the world. There are approximately 1.3 billion...
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...Gabriella Hatzopoulos War & Society Uniting Tactics, Divisive Consequences Rape, torture and murder against innocent civilians- what could cause someone to do such a thing? The My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War was a result of a war tactic that continues to be utilized today: racism and dehumanization of the enemy. This strategy, employed by the Armed Forces and facilitated by the media back on American soil has proven to be dangerous in that it causes both soldiers and civilians to treat an entire group as subhuman and unworthy of empathy. We can see this in the My Lai Massacre and through the persistent hare crimes against Muslims during the United States’ current “war on terror.” On March 16 1968, 140 men of the American Charlie Company entered the village of My Lai and were ordered to kill whoever they saw. There was the belief that the province of Quang Ngai where My Lai was located was a stronghold for Vietcong guerillas. After increasing frustration with losing their soldiers and not progressing in the war as much as they’d like, the group took their anger out on what was thought was a village of Vietcong enemies. It was the first chance they had to meet the enemy face to face instead of through grenades and booby traps and finally get even. Lieutenant William L. Calley ordered a search and destroy mission and urged that anyone in My Lai was to be considered connected to the Vietcong in some way, and should be killed. Though no guerillas were found when...
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...to state with lower hate crimes. Other people couldn’t tolerate so they move back to their own country. “Sept. 11 was a major rude awakening. All of a sudden our religion was hijacked by someone who flies into buildings,” said Mohamed El Filali, the outreach coordinator for the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson (Hannan). Muslims who were not involved in 9/11 attack, but they were punished as much as people who were involved in it. Before 9/11 attack Muslims were not questioned about their religion and why do they were hijabs but after 9/11 they had to answer everyone question. “They don’t feel the way we do,” said Zuendt, of Garfield. “They don’t feel our hurt. If they felt our hurt, they would not want to open a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero.” (Hannan). Over the past twenty years backlash hate crimes against Arabs and Muslims in the America have become predictable. Arab and Muslims groups report more than two thousands September 11-related backlash incidents (Human Rights Watch 2000). The effective allocation of public resources to prevent and respond to hate crimes requires better, complete, accurate and timely monitoring of such times (Human Rights Watch 2000). Bullying driven by media stereotype of Muslims and other foreigners as terrorist has invaded the life of students who study in public school. But for students who transfer to study at an Islamic school, the problem of bullying has been less. Navneet Singh, a 16-year-old Sikh boy who wears the traditional...
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...Under the Surface I believe the American flag symbolizes unity, freedom, and a strong nation. Red represents hardiness and valor, white represents hope, purity, and innocence, and blue represent vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Since 9-11, America has been filled with hatred and the blame went on more than just a few of people but on an entire religion. Often times Muslims that has no affiliation with the attack has been categorize as terrorist. The Islamic as a whole is a great faith for one to follow but a small group associated with the religion has caused much shame to the community. Al-Qaeda is a militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Landen in the late 1980s, which was the terrorist organization solely responsible for the attack of 9-11. Al-Qaeda has redefined the way we look at the Islamic religion. Al-Qaeda is the reason many Americans view the Islamic religion in such a negative way and classifies all Muslims as terrorists. Al-Qaeda is a political movement with a demonstrated military ability, which has sought to bypass the state while co-opting its attributes and channeling its resources (Mohamedou 42). The organization, which coalesced in Afghanistan under the initial troika leadership of Palestinian teacher Abdallah Azzam, Egyptian surgeon Ayman al Dhawahiri, and Saudi businessman Osama Bin Laden in August 1989, was born more in context of a major international armed conflict, namely the Soviet Union’s failed take –over...
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...Black Like Me Mr. John Howard Griffin, author of the book Black Like Me, had questioned the experience of the Negro in the Deep South in America. There was lip service from the white America that the relationship with the Negro was one of harmony. Mr. Griffin felt this not to be a statement of truth and with this questioning decided that he would find first hand by transforming himself with dye, ultraviolet light, and medication to take on the characteristics of a Negro man. He immersed himself into the Negro culture and experienced racism at its finest in New Orleans, Louisiana. His book was a diary form account of his life as a Negro from October to August in 1959 and 1960. Mr. Griffin became interested in class effects and racism as he studied in France and experienced the treatment of Jews. He had long studied and written of the Negro experience, however could not truly experience the discrimination until he carried out his experience. He secured finances from a friend who published a magazine for blacks. The agreement was made with the magazine publisher to have rights to publish Mr. Griffin’s research in a story for his magazine. During his transformation with medication to obtain his blackness, there were concerns for his wellbeing and health. He was apprised of the danger in his treatment and also of the outcome that he would encounter as a black man. His family supported him in his experiment, however feared his dangerous circumstance that he was near...
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