An American Muslim Journal

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden - The Bumbling Balloon Boy Sheriff thinks killing Muslims is funny!

The bumbling baffoon doubling as a sheriff in Larimer County, CO - Jim Alderden - is now adding to his infamy.  You may remember Alderden from his oafish handling of the "boy in the balloon" hoax.

Now the man who couldn't find the little boy in a single family home and instead led first responders on a costly wild goose chase is showing off some more of his mental muscle.  He thinks killing Muslims is funny.  Or at least that's what he said to a group of Marines at a social function recently.  But don't blame the Marines in the audience for outing Alderden.  No, this self-described "straight shootin' John Wayne" posted his comments on his office website.  No, not on his personal blog, but on the sheriff's office website.  Nice job fella.

One reader at Coloradoan.com said this about Alderden:

One more ignorant statement from Jim is like one more tree in the forest. There's so many you hardly notice them anymore.

Another reader at Coloradoan.com said this:

Freedom of speech, yes, but not freedom from the consequences of speech.

Amen to that.

I am angry about Alderden's stupid words.  Bigots like him make it harder for good people like the ones who posted the comments on the Coloradoan.com website to build bridges within our communities.

Make no mistake - Alderden is a bigot.  He fits the definition - one who regards or treats the members of a group (racial, ethnic, religious) with hatred or intolerance - and that does not bode well for the people of Larimer County, because that kind of ignorance can be unleashed on others in the future.  That's not exactly a sought after trait among law enforcement.

Hopefully the good people of Larimer County will get rid of him.  Whether he apologizes or explains away his stupid comments or not, it's hard to feel secure knowing that the person charged with protecting the community is such an idiot.

Switzerland, Muslims, Minaret Ban: Islamophobia or something else?

The The New York Times this morning reported that Switzerland is poised to impose a ban on the construction of minarets.  Minarets are a common architectural feature of mosques serving both an aesthetic and functional purpose.  Minarets are commonly used as symbols of Islam as well.

Why are a majority of Swiss voters supporting a ban on minarets in their country?  Why is there an anti-Muslim movement in a country thought to be tolerant?  Why is there such a misunderstanding of Islam among the advocates of the proposed ban on minarets? 

Of the 7 million people who live in Switzerland approximately 300,000 are Muslim.  Most Swiss Muslims are immigrants from Turkey, Bosnia and Kosova.  Switzerland is home to the United Nations humanitarian agencies.  Switzerland is famous for its international neutrality.  With 4% of the Swiss population claiming Islam as their religion and given Switzerland’s history of tolerance it is disturbing to see Swiss opinion turn so negative towards a large religious minority within Switzerland.

The existence of an anti-Muslim movement is no longer surprising (it is still disturbing of course).  All it takes is a small handful of bigots to create a group.  But in the case of the Swiss, the minaret-banning legislation is poised to pass and that suggests popular support (at least of the voting public).  This development should be troubling to anyone who values religious freedom and values free societies that support religious pluralism.

According to the same NY Times story an opinion poll from earlier in the month found that 37 percent of Swiss were in favor of banning minarets, 10 percent were undecided and 53 percent were opposed to it.  Assuming for the sake of discussion that the poll was scientific and accurate, it appears that at least a few people who publicly said they were opposed to banning minarets had a serious change of heart in a matter of a few weeks.  Another possibility is that some Swiss harbor anti-Muslim sentiments but they are not comfortable voicing these bigoted opinions in public.  A third possibility is the confluence of a generally low voter turnout and a higher than normal turnout from the supporters of the minaret-ban legislation.

What is fueling the anti-Muslim movement in Switzerland?  Are Swiss Muslims doing something to fuel the bigotry?  Are Swiss Muslims integrating into Swiss society?  Do Swiss Muslims work with Swiss of other religious affiliations for issues of the common good?  Is the fact that only about 11% of Swiss Muslims are citizens a factor?  Is it difficult to become a naturalized citizen in Switzerland?

What do you think is driving Swiss citizens to curtail Muslim rights in Switzerland?

"Islam is of the Devil": Wayne Sapp, Stephanie Sapp, Ludger Boecken, Heike Boecken sue Alachua County School Board to protect their hate speech

Two Gainesville, Florida area families, the Sapps and the Boeckens, sued the Alachua County School Board (Florida) in federal court seeking protection for their children’s anti-Muslim hate speech in public schools.  The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida represents the plaintiffs.

Wayne and Stephanie Sapp and Ludger and Heike Boecken filed the suit on behalf of their minor children who are students in Alachua County public schools.  The complaint was filed on November 23, 2009 in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District Court of Florida (Gainesville Division).

The lawsuit alleges that the Sapp and Boecken children were disciplined for and prohibited from wearing t-shirts imprinted with the hateful statement “Islam is of the Devil”.  The Sapps’ and Boeckens’ lawsuit seeks to have the school board’s policies that prohibit the wearing of the hate-speech imprinted t-shirts ruled unconstitutional.  The lawsuit also asks the federal court to enter an order stopping the school board from prohibiting the wearing of the clothing displaying the hate messages.

WHAT IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND DOES IT APPLY TO HATE SPEECH?

The freedom of speech is a fundamental right in the United States.  It is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and by similar provisions in state constitutions as well.
 
As a general principle it is easy to understand.  Application of the free speech principle, however, can be complicated.  When the speech being protected is pertains to equality, democracy, justice or other noble ideas it is easy to support.  But what about speech that promotes discrimination and bigotry?  The fact is that hate speech is protected under the First Amendment too.  Frankly, it would not be much of a right if this were not the case.

Over the years the First Amendment has been marshaled in defense of flag burning, cross burning, pornography, a Nazi march in Skokie, Illinois (at the time a predominantly Jewish town of Holocaust survivors), and fascist skinheads assembling and promoting their white supremacist venom in public.  Indeed, the First Amendment has a long list of very unsavory patrons.

While protecting hate mongers, racists and perverts is distasteful, the alternative is to fall prey to the tyranny of the majority and to the majority’s impulse to censor ideas with which it disagrees.  Censorship in one’s own hands never seems dangerous, but the true appreciation of its menace is had when one contemplates handing over the power of censorship to one’s ideological nemesis.  That is a frightening thought.

IS THE HATE SPEECH PROMOTED BY THE SAPPS AND BOECKENS PROTECTED?

The right to free speech under the First Amendment is very broad.  It is not, however, an absolute right.  The freedom of speech is limited by certain exceptions.  Speech that constitutes “fighting words”, or that is obscene or which interferes with another fundamental right, for example, would fall outside of the protection of the First Amendment.

According to the First Amendment Center speech within public schools is not unlimited.  First Amendment Center scholars note that minors are not accorded the same level of free speech rights as adults.  Additionally, when the government is acting as an educator (which is precisely the case with a public school) it has more leeway to develop and implement speech policies.  The overarching policy of a public school is teaching children in an environment that is safe and which is conducive to learning.

It is possible that the hate speech the Sapps and the Boeckens are promoting through their children’s attire falls outside of First Amendment protection.  The Sapps and the Boeckens’ complaint repeatedly alleges that the t-shirts worn by their minor children contained “non-vulgar” and “non-obscene” messages.  The plaintiffs are counting on their characterization of the messages (as “non-vulgar” and “non-obscene”) being taken as a matter of fact.  Their characterization should not be accepted at face value.  Their characterization should be vigorously challenged.

Is the statement “Islam is of the Devil” vulgar or obscene?  If it is considered vulgar or obscene, then the Alachua County school board is well within its rights to deem the message inappropriate and prohibit its exhibition in school.  This is the precedent established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Bethel School Dist. No. 403 vs. Fraser.  In that case the majority of the Court concluded that:

Surely it is a highly appropriate function of public school education to prohibit the use of vulgar and offensive terms in public discourse.

The majority in Bethel also noted that:

The process of educating our youth for citizenship in public schools is not confined to books, the curriculum, and the civics class; schools must teach by example the shared values of a civilized social order.

The Bethel case sets out the rules or the law to be applied in the Alachua County case.  The question is only one of fact.

IS THE STATEMENT “ISLAM IS OF THE DEVIL” VULGAR OR OBSCENE?

Regardless of one’s proclivity vis-à-vis the First Amendment, most American Muslims would agree that the phrase “Islam is of the Devil” worn on a t-shirt by students in a public grammar school or high school would be seen as vulgar and obscene to fellow students who are Muslims.  I would also hope it would be deemed vulgar and obscene by classmates of other faiths as well.  Furthermore, the presence of such hate speech will inculcate lessons of divisiveness and incivility, both of which are antithetical to promoting “shared values of a civilized social order.”

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO UPHOLD ALACHUA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD'S DECISION?

First and foremost, it is necessary for the Alachua County School Board to commit itself to zealously defending its actions.  It is not a foregoing conclusion that Alachua County School Board will aggressively litigate this case.  The resources and expertise of the ACLU are formidable.  At the same time public schools across the nation are sorely cash strapped and as a result the vigor with which the school board battles in federal court may be dictated as much by finances as it is by its principles.

Furthermore, the case will hinge on whether the judge or the jury who ultimately hear this case at trial will find the statement “Islam is of the Devil” to be vulgar or obscene.  This will, in turn, depend on how well integrated the local American Muslim community is with the interfaith and community organizations in the region.

Hopefully the American Muslim community in that region of Florida has relationships of friendship with the broader community.  Hopefully the American Muslims of this particular region have allies in the interfaith community who know them, understand their religious values and know firsthand what it is that Muslims believe.  Whether or not the “Islam is of the Devil” statement is vulgar or obscene is not an academic question.  Bringing theologians to explain the articles of the Islamic faith and its roots in the Abrahamic tradition is not the solution. 

This is a question that has to be answered from the heart and from the gut.  In order for people of other faiths to share American Muslims’ sense of revulsion and disgust over this hate speech, they need to know American Muslims as real friends.

It will be up to Florida’s American Muslims to marshal their resources and their allies to aggressively defend against the Sapps’ and Boeckens’ hate speech lawsuit.  Ideally the battle will focus on the core legal issues and will steer clear of any advocacy that promotes censorship.  This is the kind of case where American Muslims stand to lose even in victory unless they are very thoughtful about how they tackle the crisis.
 

American Muslims, Veterans Day 2009, Ft. Hood Massacres and Islamophobes

The Ft. Hood murders made this year's Veterans Day a lot more meaningful than in years past.  This year I made a concerted effort to use this day (which I had off for the first time in about 8 years) to think about our veterans and to teach my children about the sacrifices our veterans make to serve and protect our society.

VETERANS DAY SPENT FOCUSING ON VETERANS - A FIRST

Over breakfast I talked to my kids about what they know about Veterans Day.  We talked about why we need a military and that the men and women in the military have families just like ours, and the big diffference is that the member of the family in the military is sometimes gone for a year or more and that their lives are at risk whenever they are working.

The concept of being away from family seemed to make an impact.  One of the challenges I've had in our family is being away a lot at work and they seemed to use that as a point of reference.

After breakfast we headed over to the local Veterans Day service.  We just made it in time.  My high school's band was at the service - which was remarkable because school was off today so these kids put on their uniforms and came out together when they could have remained at home.  They received a well-deserved round of applause for their commitment.

It was a decent turn out.  I have not been to a Veterans Day service in my hometown before so I cannot say whether it was bigger than usual.  When you take out the veterans, the first responders and the elected officials, the gathering was made up of about 50 or so senior citizens.  The people who turned out for this service are the same folks who come to the 9/11 remembrance every year (which is a service at which I speak annually so I have gotten to know that crowd).  Outside of the high school marching band my kids were about the only people there under the age of 18 years.

I'm glad I took my kids to the service.  Afterwards we visited the veterans memorial in our town.  The Marine Corps flag was at half-mast in memory of a local Marine who had died and was being remembered.  A young Marine Corps recruiter was at the service and my kids had a chance to meet him, shake his hand and say thank you.  As we walked back to the car we passed by two veterans who were at least 70 years old each.  Both were dressed in their military uniforms.  We took a moment to say hello to them and to thank them as well.

I was really pleased with my daughter later this afternoon.  As we left the library my son complained to me about not being able to see the Astro Boy movie.  We were not able to fit the movie into our schedule because we had attended the veterans day service.  Without a single word from me my daughter said "it's the least we can do to go and say thank you when they are dying to protect us - I think the movie theaters should be closed on Veterans Day."  I was very proud of her.

AMERICAN MUSLIM LEADERS OVERWHELMED & DIVIDED ON VETERANS DAY

Throughout the day I followed my emails on my blackberry.  With one crisis on top of another - dealing with the Ft. Hood murders' implications for American Muslims, the recent words of praise from an extremist imam (Anwar al Awlaki) for Nidal Malik Hasan's alleged homicidal rampage, a GOP-Illinois press release calling on a major immigrant rights organization in Illinois to cut its ties with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) over allegations of CAIR's alleged links to Hamas, the arrest of two Chicago men just a few weeks ago on allegations of terrorism, the shooting death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah by the FBI in Dearborn, Michigan and the other arrests of American Muslims in Chicago, Dallas, Colorado and Massachusetts all alleging terrorism - the local leadership seemed to be overwhelmed and divided on how best to move ahead.  And as if this were not enough, it was discovered yesterday at a well-known hate group called ACT! for America (led by radical Islamophobe Brigette Gabriel) is planning to hold a "discussion" on radical Islam in St. Charles, Illinois on Saturday, November 14.

The emails went back and forth with well-intentioned and highly capable community leaders debating whether we should be speaking out and apologizing for the crimes and sins of other Muslims and whether it is tactically advisable to confront the Islamophobes in St. Charles and so on.  It is obvious that the confluence of multiple crises is beginning to seriously tax the largely volunteer administrations of American Muslim institutions in Illinois.

Still, despite the many challenges being confronted the the American Muslim community, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) did issue a thoughtful and timely statement for Veterans Day on behalf of Illinois' American Muslim community.  This was absolutely critical.  Had CIOGC missed this important opportunity to speak about the sincere sentiments of Illinois' Muslim community, the Islamophobes would have seized the oversight as an example of American Muslim disloyalty.  Here is what CIOGC said this Veterans' Day:

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago today asked fellow citizens to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the armed forces- in wartime and peacetime- in any capacity.
 
“Today we pay tribute to those who protected our freedom and our nation; we honor their legacies and their loved ones,” said Dr. Mohammed Zaher Sahloul, the Chair of the CIOGC. “We pray for all innocent victims of war and ask God Almighty to help us ending eight years of continuous senseless wars that added a lot of stress on our veterans, many of them returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with deep, long lasting physical and psychological injuries”.
 
The Council also expressed its support for a newly established fund by the Islamic Society of North America and the Texas-based Freedom and Justice Foundation, to assist the victims of the families of the Fort Hood tragedy. Recognizing the important sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families, it is imperative for all Americans to join hands in supporting those affected by this tragic incident.
 
"Two members of the armed forces lost their lives in the Ft. Hood tragedy are from Illinois, James Pearson from Bollingbrook and Francheska Velez from Chicago. We join their families in grieving their loved ones during the Veteran Day and we ask God Almighty to heal the wounds of the injured and bestow His solace and patience on the families of the victims and on our nation” said Interim Executive Director Kiran Ansari. "We are calling on all mosques and faith partners in Illinois to show support for the victim's families by contributing to the Fund."

Donations may be made to:

"Fort Hood Family Fund"
c/o ISNA
P. O. Box 808
Plainfield, IN 46168
 
Donate online at:
www.forthoodfamilyfund.com

ISLAMOPHOBES FLOODING THE INTERNET NARROW-MINDED, HATEFUL & IGNORANT CHATTER

It is indeed their right to blather on and on with their Islamophobic hysteria, but I do not have to like the bigots who spew this nonesense.  Plus, it is very hard to hear the outlandish lies and gross errors in describing Islamic beliefs and doctrines by some members of the media and many extremists in the blogosphere.

Today Mary Kate Cary published a very smart blog entry entitled "Muslim Leaders Need to Condemn Violence" and in her blog post Cary writes that she was asked if she thought Islam is a religion of peace and she said she did not think so.  Her reason for thinking so?  Here it is from her own blog:

The reason I don't think Islam is a religion of peace is that I am not aware of a single Muslim cleric stepping forward to denounce acts of violence committed in the name of Islam. This has happened over and over, and yet the mainstream Muslim leaders—presumably peaceful religious leaders who are not radicals—never step forward to call for an end to murderous rampages and terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam.

Cary suggests that Muslim religious leaders have not condemned terrorism.  She is wrong and she could have saved herself the embarrassment of appearing ignorant and lazy by doing just a little bit of online research.

In 2005 the Fiqh Council of North America issued a relgious ruling (a fatwa) against terrorism.  The statement was widely circulated to the national and international media at the time.  In part the ruling states:

The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.
 
Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians’ life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram - prohibited in Islam - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not “martyrs.”
 
The Qur’an, Islam’s revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a person, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur’an, 5:32)

The text of the ruling appears on websites of many major American Muslim institutions and on Muslim blogs.  How Cary missed this is difficult to explain.  Perhaps she doesn't know about Google.

In May 2008 the Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom Deoband in India issued a ruling (fatwa) against terrorism as well.  According to The Times of India the ruling, signed by Darul-Uloom's grand mufti Habibur Rehman, 

asserts that "Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence, breach of peace, bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any form".

This was a very talked about ruling because Darul-Uloom Deoband is a major scholarly center for Muslims from India and Pakistan (which together account for at least 1/3 of the world's Muslim population).  Again, how did Cary miss it? 

In addition to these two examples there are countless statements by American Muslim institutions denouncing terrorism and condemning the targeting and killing of civilians.  These statements are posted on the websites of major American Muslim organizations.  They are sent to reporters throughout the media from U.S. News & World Report to the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and everything in between.

Mary Kate Cary, a University of Virginia alumnus, is a professional political speech writer.  Most of her blog posts over the past several months seem to be about politics.  This recent foray into religion seems to be a relatively new undertaking for Cary.  As such, it may be that she is not an Islamophobe but rather a very uninformed journalist who really screwed up a blog post. 

If that is the case then she should write a mea culpa soon.  Clearly there are a lot of bigots who read her blog.  The comments were just disgusting.  Hopefully Cary does not not identify with the bigots who read her blog and hopefully she has the guts to set the record straight.

ACT! for America...She must be stopped...Brigette Gabriel is a Loon!

 

This is not something to be dismissed lightly.  People were reportedly passing out the above referenced flyer at the Schaumburg Township Public Library today.  This is a wake up call to decent people in the northwest and westerns suburbs of Chicago.  Agents of hate are in our midst.  I'm very saddened to see this day come to pass in our part of the state.

DETAILS OF THE COMING HATE SPEECH

According to this flyer a local group of Islamophobes is organizing a meeting to promote the notorious Islamophobe extraordinaire Brigette Gabriel and her self-promoting, bigotry-based profit machine ACT! for America group.  Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009

Time: 1pm to 3pm

Place: St. Charles Public Library, 1 South 6th Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois (Huntley Room)

Topic: "Islamic Radicalism" Discussion

We know the "discussion" is going to be Islamophobic because the local organizers are promoting a prominent purveyor of Islamophobia - Brigette Gabriel.  Brigette Gabriel is a hatemonger.  Why do I think this to be the case?  According to Clark Hoyt, Public Editor of The New York Times, Gabriel's beliefs include the following:

Every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim.

Although the Australian Jewish News has taken the interview down, we are fortunate that Sheila Musaji of the The American Muslim (TAM) quotes from that interview on her blog as follows:

When asked whether Americans should “resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation,” Gabriel said:

“Absolutely. If a Muslim who has—who is—a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day—this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America.”

LOONWATCH.COM has a very interesting take on Gabriel.  The writers at LOONWATCH.COM describe Gabriel as

a notorious apologist for the fascist Phalange group, Kataeb, and the terrorist group, the South Lebanon Army (SLA), who were responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacres that slaughtered 1700 to 2000 Palestinians (mostly women and chidren).

WHAT CAN BE/SHOULD BE DONE?

I do not know who the local organizers are, but one sure way to find out is to go to this meeting on Saturday!  Of course, it does no one any good to go to something like this ill-prepared or with anger in their hearts.  No, the better approach is to organize more speech to counter the hate speech sponsored by these local organizers.

A group of Americans from various different faith communities should go to the St. Charles Library to peacefully provide counter-points to the hate this local group is promoting.  Certainly we can gather a small group of Muslims, Christians, Jews and other faithful people to bear witness to the lies that this local group is promoting.

Safaa Zarzour, chairman of the board at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago, sent leaders of the Chicagoland community an email message this evening saying that his organization is working on a strategy to counter this this group and this meeting.  This is a good development.  The Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs, a mosque on whose board I sit, is also taking note of this ugly development and is cooperating with CAIR-Chicago and others to help devise and execute a thoughtful response to this local group's hatemongering.

This evening I sent Ms. Diana Brown, Director of the St. Charles Public Library, an email message conveying some of my concerns:

Dear Ms. Brown:

Good evening.  I am writing to find out about a meeting that is taking place at the St. Charles Public Library this Saturday.  It is purportedly begin held in the Huntley Room from 1pm to 3pm on 11/14 to discuss "Islamic Radicalism".

I am a board member of the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs and the former executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.  I also sit on the board of the Muslim Bar Association.  Flyers for this meeting were being passed out at the Schaumburg Township Public Library this week so the organizers are looking to bring people from beyond the St. Charles community to this event.

There are several questions I wish to ask of you.  First, given that this meeting is being promoted to the public, do the organizers have the right to exclude people from it on the basis of religion?  Second, can you share with me the identities of the residents who reserved this room for the meeting?  Third, do you have space in the library where I or others may provide additional corrective information that seeks to balance the hate speech that I believe will be promoted within this meeting in the Huntley Room?

I am an ardent supporter of free speech.  While I would rather not have hate speech in my community, I believe that the best way to confront hate speech is to challenge it with truthful and accurate information and open and public debate.  I would like to work with you in making arrangements so that we can do just this at the St. Charles Public Library this Saturday.

Please feel free to reach out to me.  You can reach me at xxxxxxx@xxxx.com  or by calling me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.  I hope to hear back from you very soon.

Sincerely,
Junaid M. Afeef, Esq.

CENSORSHIP IS NOT THE ANSWER

As I told Ms. Brown of the St. Charles Public Library, I would prefer that we did not have hatemongering going on in our community.  Now that the hatemongering has arrived, however, I am not in favor of trying to chill or censor it.

I would actually like to know who all are behind this effort so that I can talk with them.  I grew up in this region and I have met all kinds of folks from the northwest and western suburbs.  I went to college with them and I work with them now.  We share so many of the same values.  We share so many of the same hopes and dreams and interests.  I would like to talk to the local organizers because frankly I do not believe they have met many Muslims and that is why they are susceptible to being duped by the likes of reputed radical Islamophobe Brigette Gabriel.

Islam, in its authentic form as practiced by over 1.4 billion people across the world, is a religion of peace and justice.  I am not afraid to put up my beliefs and my personal values as guided by my Islamic faith as a counter-balance to the hatemongering that is promoted by Brigette Gabriel.  I am also certain that there will be good people from other faith communities who would be willing to stand with me to bear witness to the tolerance, understanding and friendship that is possible between people of different faiths when good people come together.

That is why I hope St. Charles Public Library will afford us the space within the library to provide a forum that provides additional, corrective information to that which I suspect will be spewed by the local organizers for Brigette Gabriel.

Ft. Hood Murders & Illinois interfaith reaction: Presbytery of Chicago prayers for Muslims

This afternoon I received a very comforting email from Dr. Jay Moses, Pastor of Congregational Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.  It was about a prayer that he led in his church today.  It was unexpected but not surprising to hear about this prayer (not surprising because I know how generous my Christian and Jewish friends can be).

I have not known Jay for very long - we met over the summer during meetings between the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and the Chicago Presbytery.  Although we only worked together organizationally for a short time, I really enjoyed connecting with him. 

Our second meeting was very thought-provoking.  We spent a lot of time talking and getting to know one another.  It was during this meeting in August 2009 that I learned some more about the distinctions between Protestants and Catholics and the meaning of evangelism and the attitude of various Christian communities to evangelism.  We compared it to those traditions within the Islamic community which are equally focused on "da'wah" or inviting people to Islam.  I know I enjoyed the conversation mostly because Jay let me do most of the talking - and about myself as well!

I'm really glad that Jay opted to stay in touch with me post-CIOGC.  Interreligious dialogue is something that is very important in these times and whenever I can build a new interreligious relationship and maintain it and grow and nurture it I feel I have made important strides in this work.

Jay sent me a prayer that he and others in the Presbyterian Church recited (not sure that's the right word) in today's services.  Here is the prayer:

Though the sea should roar, though the mountains shake, God of all Mercy, gird us up this morning.  As you protected life in ancient days from the monstrous plans of Tiamat, from the treacherous howls of Levian, protect those who are weak today, mourn with those who mourn, comfort the comfortless, shut up the mouth of death.  In the darkness of hopelessness, you split the night and forced your light into this world.  As you created space for your people so long ago, as you set boundaries on the waters of the earth, and provided a place of refuge, and hope for creation, we gather together today to find that place of gathering, and of safety.  In your strength, in your compassion, set the bounds of terror far from the innocent this morning, may you rain discernment upon us, breath into us your image, so that we may choose life from death, and death dealers from strangers in our midst.  Raise up justice, so there may be peace.

In Jesus Christ you have given us a sign of your presence in the worst of circumstances.   As the crowds turned so quickly on that day, as Wisdom could not be found, as the sky darkened again against the sin of the cross, of the cross purposes of our own desires, you spoke hope to simple and faithful servants at the break of dawn so as to create hope rather than despair….Be close to your servants on this day, lift them up, let them speak, may true leaders of Wisdom be found.  Give us Christ on this day, a crucified one, to sturdy us up for what the future may bring.

Spirit of life, blow upon the earth on this day, blow the crooked straight, close the eye of the quick to judge, fill the broken hearted with signs of your work, cleans the wounds of our hearts, and the dirt from our eyes, so that we may see and be a people of Wisdom, of Reconciliation, and of the Kingdom once more.  Create in us a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within us….
 
We lift up the sick, the downtrodden within our church….
We lift up the legislation for Health care….

We lift up the victims of the outbreak of violence at Ft. Hood….We pray for the families of the wounded and their recovery, of the 13 slain, we pray for the families of Michael Cahill, Libardo Caraveo, of Justin DeCrow, John Gaffaney, Frederick Green, Justin Hunt Amy Krueger, Aaron Nemelka, Michael Pearson, Russel Seager, Francheska Velez, Juanita Warman, Kham Xiong,   Save us from the violence within our hearts, the violent ways our religions can be manipulated by the hopeless and sick…..God give us eyes to see the troubled within our societies,  heal our minds, protect us from what is easy and challenge us to work towards what is necessary for stability and life for our children.

We pray for the millions of innocent muslims in the United States in the upcoming days….We pray for those of Arabic descent and their treatment within our neighborhoods and towns….We pray for Wisdom O God….. (emphasis added)

We pray as Jesus taught us to pray….

Knowing that Jay and his congregation were thinking of us felt like a getting an incredible and unexpected gift.  I sent Jay an email from my blackberry as soon as I got the prayer text and asked if this was a prayer that had been recited in his Church.  Jay sent me back this response:

It was,I just wanted to let the muslim community know a little bit of the prayers going on today....we are going to need many more....

Salaam

Thank you for this gift Jay.

Nidal Malik Hasan & the Ft. Hood Massacre - A "Jihadi" Attack or Criminal Act of Mentally Disturbed American? Responses & Reactions the Day After

Nidal Malik Hasan, an American Muslim from the East Coast serving as a psychiatrist in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood, went on a random and bloody shooting spree that killed 13 innocent people and wounded another 31 unsuspecting Americans yesterday (11/5/09) at Ft. Hood, Texas.  Americans of all points of view and from all walks of life and points of view have added their opinions over the past 24+ hours.

AMERICAN MUSLIM RESPONSE

Three major national American Muslim organizations, all mainstream and reputable, released statements immediately after word of the horrific attacks made the news.  The Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Islamic Society of North America and the Council on American Islamic Relations all spoke out quickly and clearly in statements that condemned the massacre of innocent fellow Americans (read more here).

That is important.  These organizations, collectively, represent the voice of mainstream Muslims and authentic Islam in America.  But there are grassroots organizations like mosques and even individual American Muslim who are also making their voices heard.  These are voices that need to be heard by all Americans.

A West Point Graduate, a Physician and an American Muslim in Afghanistan React

To be clear, I am talking about one individual here.  Dr. Imad Haque is a surgeon in the United States Army and is currently serving in Afghanistan.  I was able to reach Dr. Haque via email yesterday.  I asked him if he would share his reaction to the Ft. Hood massacre.  I did not know he had been deployed to Afghanistan when I emailed him.

Dr. Haque responded to my email last night.  This is Dr. Haque's first message to me:

Junaid-

Salams. Good to hear from you... alas it is under such circumstances...Waking-up in Afghanistan- I just heard about the events at Ft.Hood. I will get my thoughts together and get you something in a few hours from now.Thanks again for your message.

Imad

About 14 hours later - mid-morning on Friday for me - I got another message from Dr. Haque.  His first concerns and thoughts were for the victims and their families.  This is what Dr. Haque wrote to me - from his deployment in Afghanistan - about his initial feelings:

Salams Junaid-
Well it's been a long contemplative day here-as a Soldier, a Doctor and a Muslim. My first feelings go out to the victims. Having been in a pre-deployment center very much like the one at Ft.Hood only a few months ago- I can only imagine the terror the victims must have experienced. My next thoughts are for the families that will be notified about the death or injuries of their loved ones. Then I think of my colleagues at Darnell, Scott and White and Methodist Hospitals who do what I do for a living- operate and try to save the lives put in jeopardy so senselessly. I prayed today for all of them.

Maybe I am reading more into this than Dr. Haque intended but I found it notable that he described himself as a Soldier first.  And that he took time today to pray for all those who were affected is a testament, in my opinion, to the strength of his faith.  Dr. Haque then turned his attention to the proverbial elephant in the room - Nidal Malik Hasan:

After these thoughts subside- my next thought is for my fellow military, American-Muslim physician. A career track not dissimilar to my own. Born to immigrant parents. Attending elementary and high school here. His choice of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences reflected a real commitment to the military and his country.

As a physician that has deployed and has cared for American Soldiers at nearly every level of care in the military health system- from a level II Aid Station to major hospitals in Germany and at home- my next question is what went wrong? What happened to my colleague that led him to undertake such an unspeakable act? I am not a psychiatrist by training- but I certainly remember the most basic tenants of the field- identify a patient if they represent a threat to themselves orothers. This is one of the most basic concepts in his field- yet he was unable to control these thoughts or have the insight to seek help.

Two men with similar backgrounds and upbringing and a seemingly shared commitment to service and yet two very different responses to the call to serve in a war zone.  Dr. Haque is deployed in Afghanistan faithfully serving his country while Nidal Malik Hasan lays in a hospital bed under constant guard awaiting a military tribunal that will ultimately decide his guilt or innocence. 

What is it about Dr. Haque that drives him to serve, far away from his beautiful family, while his fellow soldier and co-religionist resorted to a horrific homicidal rampage?  I think the last part of Dr. Haque's email sheds some light on this last question - the question of what motivates him to be a dedicated Soldier in the United States Army and a devout Muslim at the same time:

As a Muslim, Physician and Soldier- I chose to serve my country because of the opportunities it has afforded me. Most profound of these is the Freedom to be a Muslim and practice my faith more freely than anywhere in the world. Though I may not agree completely with all foreign policy decisions made or how they are executed- I do my duty as a soldier. As a citizen, I have an equally important duty to exercise my right to chose and change my leaders if I feel they do not represent my beliefs- not through the end of a gun- but through the very Islamic concept of Democracy.

I've known Dr. Haque - Imad - since we were both kids playing baseball at recess during the summer-long, day-long Islamic school we attended together at the Islamic Foundation Mosque & School in Villa Park, Illinois in the 1980s.  We lost touch over the years and reconnected via Facebook recently.  I've always thought it was laudable that he chose a life in the military.  But until now I've never really understood what an asset he is to us - to all Americans.  That is because he is a real life example of an American Muslim living the ideal of patriotism and God-consciousness together in harmony.  Outstanding indeed Imad!

Another American Muslim physician and a living, loving example of Islam

Dr. Hesham Hassaballa, a medical doctor in Chicago and another dear friend, shared his private thoughts and emotions in the wake of the Ft. Hood murders.  Dr. Hassaballa, like me and Imad, has lived his whole life in America and is now raising his own family as distinctly American Muslim.  All Americans should take the time to read Dr. Hassaballa's thoughtful reflections on God, faith and the vision of the peaceful coexistence of all people at his blog - God, Faith, and a Pen: Living in the Light of His Love.

In reflecting on Nidal Malik Hasan's murders yesterday Dr. Hassaballa wrote this:

My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers go out to the families of the brave soldiers who died at the hands of this barbaric murderer. Their sacrifice and loss is no less noble, no less important, no less appreciated than the loss of a fellow American in battle overseas. As a parent who has lost his own child, I know far too well the pain of the parents right now who have come to the horrific realization that they will outlive their child. May God be with them all.

I appreciate Dr. Hassaballa's blog posts because he puts himself out there completely for the sake of promoting greater understanding between people of different faiths.  This past summer he lost one of his children, a beautiful little daughter, to a long term battle with a crippling disease.  Most people (myself for certain) would be loathed to put that hurt out in the public's eye, but Dr. Hassaballa does just that, and he does this so that he can connect with us on the most intimate and personal level.  I challenge even the most hard-hearted extremists - of any faith or no faith at all - to be unmoved by Dr. Hassaballa's commentary.

EXTREMIST RESPONSES

The Islamophobes are, of course, foaming at the mouth over this tragedy at Ft. Hood.  The individuals over at places like "The Jawa Report" do not seem to care much for the victims so long as they can take unsubstantiated shots at any and all Muslims.  If you are an upstanding Muslim indivdual or organization then the "writers" at this blog will do their best to sully your name by labeling you a front for the Muslim Brotherhood. 

And then there are the Debbie Schlussels of the world.  The idea of driving more eyeballs to her vile website gives me pause but it is important for honest and decent people to see the unmitigated hate that some folks are spewing online and on talk radio (I believe Ms. Schlussel is keen to promote herself there and where ever else she can get some attention)(read more about Ms. Schlussel here and here).

The gist of these anti-Muslim and Islamophobic extremists' argument is that since Nidal Malik Hasan is a Muslim then his murders are, ipso facto, terrorism.  It does not get any more bigoted and narrow-minded than that.

But alas, Muslims are not ones to be out done in the extremism department.  At the discussion forum of the notorious Hizb ut Tahrir one commentator said this of Nidal Malik Hasan's murderous actions:

To be honest, a lot of people cast doubt on the iman of a Muslim who agrees to join the British or American army but I see this as a good thing that there must have been some iman in there for him to take such a big step as this.

So, according to this person who is described as a "senior member" of the discussion forum at Hizb ut Tahrir, Nidal Malik Hasan's homicidal rampage is a sign of his faith?  People of sincere faith know that this is an absurd notion but it does not stop extremists from espousing it and promoting it.

OTHER RESPONSES

In addition to the American Muslim response and the extremists' response there was also quite a bit of thoughtful reflection from columnists, interfaith leaders and friends and neighbors from coast to coast.  A friend of mine wrote on my Facebook page:

I'm just so upset that we have to defend this maniac's religion in the first place. After all, no one asks me to defend Timothy McVeigh....It's just a clear commentary on where the Muslim-Arab population (and those perceived as such) stand these days. We all know killing people is wrong. Why should anyone have to apologize?!

Essentially this friend was responding to an earlier blog post and some other comments that were posted on Facebook in response to the blog post.

John Nichols of The Nation weighed in very early yesterday with a very thoughtful piece entitled "Horror at Fort Hood Inspires Horribly Predictable Islamophobia".  In the article Mr. Nichols said:

The point here is not to defend the soldier or his alleged actions -- the evidence at hand suggests that he was, at the least, a deeply troubled man whose statements and actions should have raised concerns among his superiors long before Thursday's incident. By Friday, there were news reports that he shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") before opening fire. There was clearly something wrong with this imperfect follower of Islam. But that does not mean that there is something wrong with Islam.

These comments, one from a friend posting a note of support, solidarity and encouragement on Facebook and the other from  The Nation news magazine, a major news and opinion publication, illustrate that the responses to the heinous murders at Ft. Hood do not have to be couched in anti-Muslim and Islamophobic rhetoric to be fair and balanced.

CONCLUSION

It has been a day and half since the shootings.  We still have a lot to learn about Nidal Malik Hasan.  Hopefully he will survive and will stand trial.  In this short time we have seen a wide range of reactions both good and bad, accurate and inaccurate.  It is important for us as a pluralistic, diverse nation to understand these events and to process them in a way that is fair and reasonable, not because it is good for American Muslims, but because our future ability to coexist in peace depends on it.

Turkeys donated to the needy...by American Muslims

This is a wonderful story of Americans helping Americans during the Thanksgiving season.  American Muslims are raising money to purchase turkeys to be donated to needy families so that they may enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

The effort I'm talking about (I'm sure there are others around the nation by now) is in and around Chicago, Illinois.  Young American Muslims and their families donate money and that money is used to purchase turkeys for needy families.

ABC News covered the story last year:

Today, and for the past several years, this effort is led by Dr. Jihad Shoshara* and Dr. Sofia Shakir*, a wonderful husband and wife team, who are active in many local efforts to help the needy and to organize American Muslims for meaningful causes.  The effort was originally organized by another longtime community activist - civil rights attorney Kamran Memon.

Here is Dr. Shoshara's message for this year's Turkey Drive:

Assalaamu 'Alaykum,

In Sha Allah this finds you all in the best of health, and highest of Iman.

The Ninth Annual Chicago Muslim Turkey Drive is now underway! For the past eight years, the Muslim community of Chicago has risen to a need every autumn - to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves celebrate Thanksgiving, the national holiday that all Americans regardless of faith share in celebration. Together, we have given thousands of turkeys over these years to families who would otherwise go without; last year alone, you donated six hundred turkeys to needy Chicagoans in Jackson Park and Marquette Park, and God Willing, we aim to repeat our success once more! Once again, the main beneficiaries of our community's generosity will be needy families of the children at Emmett Till Academy (formerly McCosh Elementary School) at 65th and Champlain in Chicago.

As we have done in past years, we are again joining forces with the Sabeel Food Pantry. Sabeel has provided food for anyone in need for years on Chicago's North Side, and with the help of community volunteers to coordinate and distribute the turkeys will extend their services this Thanksgiving. Sabeel is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the state of Illinois; this means that once again, your contributions will be tax deductible, and all who donate to Sabeel can receive a receipt for tax purposes. (For more info, check Sabeel's website at www.sabeelpantry.org)

We are also blessed to have the support of the Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN), who will In Sha Allah distribute some of the turkeys to needy families in the area of its offices in Marquette Park.

We are now accepting donations for the drive. Please send your tax-deductible check written out to "Sabeel Food Pantry" with "Turkey Drive" written in the memo section to:**

Donations can also be given online via PayPal. To donate via PayPal, please go to www.sabeelpantry.org and click on "Donate".

The Annual Turkey Drive is a symbol of the true nature of our faith at a time when it is sorely needed. Please help us to continue it and make it grow!

Jazak Allahu Khairan,

Jihad Shoshara, MD

This is a great effort that gives meaning to the phrase "Faith In Action"!  Here is some more media coverage of last year's turkey drive:

At a time when food budgets are strained, a semitrailer loaded with turkeys is being given to families at Emmett Till Elementary School. The frozen turkeys are a gift from the Chicago Area's Muslim Community.

"It's just a gesture of neighborliness from the Muslim community of Chicago. You know most of us work here, live here, live our lives here," said Dr. Shoshara.

The school, located near 63rd and Cottage Grove, was selected because 99-percent of the population is below the poverty line. For many of the families, it's a real treat.

"Well they probably would have had the usual. McDonalds meals or whatever they could afford," said Mary Rodgers, principal Emmett Till Elementary School. "This is exceptionally nice."

It's the eighth time the group has donated to a Chicago school.

"I'm just glad to get this turkey. It's less for me to worry about," said one parent.

"Means a lot. Put some in our freezer and some in our stomach," said another.

After the September Eleventh attacks, the image of Muslim Americans took a terrible hit. That damage has yet to be repaired, but events like this are a step in the right direction.

"I think a lot of problems we have as a community (are) that we haven't been here very long so it takes awhile to integrate and get to know the Muslim community. It's one way to show what we think is the best part of our religion. To help serve the poor," said Dr. Shoshara.

This is a great effort so pass it on to your email networks!  Thanks!

_________________________________________________________________________________

* Jihad and Sofia are very close, personal friends

** The address was removed from the original email post - please direct donations to Sabeel Food Pantry!

Tarek Mehanna alleged to have plotted domestic terrorism

A very disturbing story broke during the day today about a would-be terrorist in Boston who is Muslim.  His name is Tarek Mehanna.  He was born and raised in the U.S., and among other allegations Mehanna supposedly conspired to kill civilians with assault rifles in malls.

How should I react?

First, I’m going to imagine that he is not a Muslim.  Next, I’m going to pretend that he planned to attack and kill Muslims in the U.S.  I’m going to imagine that he was caught before he could carry out his plans and that law enforcement found Islamophobic literature on his personal computer and informant testimony implicates him in a plan to secure assault rifles to carry out an indiscriminate attack on a mosque or a Muslim elementary school.

How do I feel about this Islamophobic would-be mass murderer whom the authorities have apprehended?

My initial reaction would be horror and fear.  How could someone try to do something this evil?  How could someone target defenseless children?  This hits home.

I would also be very angry.  Frankly, I’d be thinking of ways to make sure prosecutors knew that the American Muslim community was watching this prosecution very closely and that the American Muslim community wanted this man prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

And yes, the lawyer in me would expect, buried deep underneath the fear, anger and disgust, that he receive a fair trial and be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Are these legitimate reactions to this fictional scenario?  I think so.  So then would it be fair to react this same way knowing that Tarek Mehanna is an American Muslim and that he is alleged to have been targeting fellow American civilians for a murderous shooting spree and that he may have been motivated by a perverted understanding of Islam?

Yes, it certain is.  There is absolutely no reason for me to feel any differently.

I am concerned about the blowback that comes every time a Muslim is alleged to have been involved in some form of domestic terrorism.  I am definitely concerned about the increase in Islamophobic reactions by bigots who not-so-secretly harbor venomous hate for Islam and Muslims.  And I worry about the message it sends to my neighbors and co-workers who don’t really know much about Islam because Mehanna’s actions certainly poison the well and create huge hurdles between them and an accurate understanding of the authentic Islam.

Also, I’m not naïve about the questionable track record of the FBI and federal prosecutors when it comes to domestic terrorism cases involving American Muslims.  I know about and worry about the encroachment of American Muslim civil liberties by the FBI and the exaggerations of federal prosecutors vis-à-vis terrorism cases against American Muslims in the past.  These are serious and legitimate concerns.

None of this should make me any less angry or outraged by the allegations.  I don’t know Mehanna.  I do not believe that there is a grand conspiracy by the Feds to suppress American Muslims.  I do know federal law enforcement officials personally and I respect the work they do.

Going forward I expect American Muslim leaders to speak out quickly and unequivocally on this latest news.  American Muslims in leadership positions will say unequivocally that any plans or plots to kill civilians is morally and religiously despicable and cannot be supported or justified by Islam.  I also expect American Muslim leaders to call for restraint and patience from our fellow Americans of all faiths so that we do not hastily impute the ugly ideologies and twisted aspirations allegedly espoused by Mehanna upon all Muslims.

I also expect American Muslim leaders to reach out to the interfaith community to speak with one voice on this issue.  American Muslims work with Christians, Jews and other religious communities to build tolerance first and then understanding and then friendship.  These are the times when these relationships can be used for the common good of our community.

For there to be real peace, we must get "Beyond Tolerance"

Gustav Niebuhr is an engaging writer.  He has a wealth of experience on the subject of religion in America drawn from his personal life and then his professional life (as a journalist first and then from the Academy).  "Beyond Tolerance: Search for Interfaith Understanding in America" is a solid resource for those engaged in interfaith dialogue.

What Makes this a good book?

Niebuhr draws from his personal experiences as a religion writer for the New York Times in order to analyze interfaith dialogue in America.  "Beyond Tolerance" is a combination of a personal account and a researched/surveyed academic analysis.  This unique perspective makes the book engaging and readable while providing very useful facts, resources and insights as well.  Niebuhr's personal opinions are included in "Beyond Tolerance" but he distinguishes them from facts.

It is a short book (only 213 pages) and it is a very easy read.  While it has six (6) chapters and a conclusion, the preface, introduction, notes and bibliography are integral to the book.  The preface and introduction help set the right expectations for the reader by disclosing Niebuhr's personal and professional background, his personal religious affiliation and his own attitude towards interfaith dialogue.  Niebuhr notes that he was raised in an observant Christian home where prayer was a part of his family's dail life.  Interestingly but not surprisingly he notes that as part of his religious Christian upbringing he was taught that he

"shared the world with a great variety of religious (and nonreligious) identities, all of which belonged to people who deserved as much respect as we ourselves would want."

The notes and bibliography are wonderful resources for additional reading.  This is particularly important for a book on interfaith dialogue.  This subject matter is not well represented in many public libraries.  Book stores do not carry a lot of titles on interfaith dialogue either.  Furthermore, many valuable resources for studying and undrestanding interfaith dialogue are found in periodicals and journals and less in books.  The notes and bibliography are useful in highlighting some of these resources.

What would make this book better?

"Beyond Tolerance" has many stories of interfaith dialogue drawn from Niebuhr's career as a religion writer for the New York Times.  These stories include brief sketches of the religious people he has encountered.  Another 100 pages worth of details on the people, the conversations and reflections of those who engaged in interfaith dialogue would be extremely valuable and would make the book more valuable as a resource.

What is the most important point Niebuhr is trying to convey?

Niebuhr wants to promote interfaith dialogue in America.  Niebuhr does not see tolerance as a virtue.  To him it is a fundamental responsibility in a pluralistic society like America, but it falls short of building understanding.

He uses examples of interfaith dialogue to illustrate what it looks like to go beyond tolerance.  Most of his examples are success stories but some illustrate what it looks like when interfaith dialogue falls short of developing an understanding between faiths.

In the beginning of "Beyond Tolerance" Niebuhr tells his readers that the book will not spend much time talking about religious extremism.  The underlying motivation to encourage Americans to go beyond tolerance and towards interfaith understanding, however, is his fear of religious extremism. 

Niebuhr conveys a clear desire to couner religious extremism by promoting religious dialogue that goes beyond niceties and basic religious doctrine and builds relationships between committed adherents of different religious traditions.  Neibuhr closes the book by noting that

"They - we - have our basic humanity in common.  We share a world, but one threatened by violent fanaticism...And so we have a choice, a possibility of community before us, and so much about which we can speak to one another.  The stakes are very high."

Recommendation & conclusion?

"Beyond Tolerance" is a comendable addition to the discussion of interfaith dialogue.  Niebuhr writes for laypersons and non-academics.  Religious people who are thinking about getting involved in interfaith dialogue and those who are already involved and want to go beyond the niceties and the basics can gain years' worth of knowledge from "Beyond Tolerance".

Book Details

Title: "Beyond Tolerance: Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America"
Author:   Niebuhr, Gustav
Year Published:   2008
Publisher:   Viking Penguin
ISBN: 978-0-670-01956-4
Number of Pages:   213 (six chapters, conclusion, notes, bibliography, index) plus preface & introduction