NEW YORK, New York: It was September 2002, one year after the September 11 attacks. I was boarding a flight from Cairo to New York to start my new life in the United States.
Twelve hours later, we landed at JFK airport. Half-asleep, standing in line at the immigration booths, I suddenly heard the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer. “It can’t be,” I thought. “I am in New York.” I looked around and found one of the three bearded Muslim men who were on my flight chanting the call to prayer while they laid down their prayer rugs.
What courage, I thought, to do so at such a sensitive time and place — and before they even passed immigration. I observed for a few minutes expecting the airport authorities to storm in at any moment but, to my surprise, the men continued with their prayers uninterrupted.
It was my first experience of religious freedom in the United States.
Throughout my eight years here, I’ve experienced religious tolerance in many other forms. People I’ve met have always been accepting of my faith. Those who didn’t know much about it would ask questions: why do you pray? And how? Why do you fast? Does the Quran really say that?
I was always happy to explain.
There are no shortages of mosques in New York. My kids and I watched the Empire State Building’s lights change to green to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, and discovered that there are special Muslim holiday stamps issued by the US Postal Service.
The recent controversy over the Park51 Islamic community center and particularly the misinformation and paranoia are therefore disappointing, not to mention hurtful. The resulting damage, which includes increasing hostility towards Muslims, opposition to building mosques in other parts of the country and unfortunately even violence, is depressing.
It’s especially frustrating because since the September 11 attacks, you often hear the question: where are the “moderate” Muslims? Why don’t they speak out?
Well, here they are. Give them a chance.
I visited the mosque at Park51 a few months ago, before the controversy had started. I was moved by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s sermon about tolerance, openness and acceptance of other religions, values and cultures. I also met his wife, Daisy Khan, and admired her work, which includes running an organization that highlights Muslim women’s achievements.
Park51’s proximity to Ground Zero should never have been taken as a “provocation”, as Sarah Palin called it, but rather as a message that “we are on the same team in the fight against extremism.”
When I get too upset about the Islamophobia surrounding the center, I stay up a little later than usual and watch comedian Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show. I laughed when Stewart reminded Fox News that one Park51 potential funder, Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, is also one of the largest shareholders of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which owns Fox News. And I remember that those who are exploiting this issue do not represent America.
Stewart is not alone. There are many who are steadfast in support of freedom of religion, including New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Congressman Jerry Nadler, and Senators Russ Feingold and Al Franken, as well as a large number of journalists and public figures who have supported the project in numerous op-eds. And hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons wrote the word “coexist” on the window of his apartment, close to the project’s site.
Recently, New York Neighbors for American Values, a coalition of more than 40 civil rights organizations and religious groups, was formed in support of building the center.
Unfortunately, the hateful voices are often loud enough to overshadow the tolerant ones, with sensational messages more likely to make the news. But I am still hopeful.
I am grateful that there is a debate to begin with. Thankful for all the people mentioned above. I appreciate that the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted against historic landmark status for the building at the proposed site of the project, thereby clearing the way for Park51. I can think of many places around the world where a similar project would have already been stopped, one way or another. So, eight years later, I am still happy to be here.
Hoda Osman is a New York-based reporter. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).
