OPINION:
The Washington Times recently published a column by Diana West (“Obama’s Muslim outreach?” Web, Op-Ed, Sunday). The column was filled with paranoia and fear of political participation by Muslim-Americans and of our push for equal representation. Fortunately, Miss West’s hatred of Muslims and Islam does not yet trump the U.S. Constitution and the birthrights of millions of American-born and naturalized Muslim-American citizens who enjoy equal rights with the anti-Muslim cabal that Miss West appears to represent.
In the past, Miss West has used her position in the media to demonize and vilify Muslims and also to frighten and intimidate Muslims away from the political process in the United States. She also has tried to frighten and divide Americans with false claims of Muslim jihad against America. Miss West is angry because the National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW) had the audacity to endorse a candidate for president - and Muslims might actually vote. She should get over it.
Miss West is angry because the Republican candidate for vice president, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, failed in her attempts to divide our country between “real Americans” and “anti-Americans” based upon who supports the Republican bid for the presidency and who doesn’t. Sen. Barack Obama is a uniter, which challenges the disproportionate voting power of the Jewish minority in this country. It also means Mr. Obama is capable of reaching beyond racial, religious and socioeconomic divides to unite this country behind a set of reforming ideals, the most important being the restoration of our founders’ assertion that “all men are created equal.”
I refuse to apologize to Miss West for our endorsement of Mr. Obama. I also refuse to apologize for choosing my religion or for having a political view that is anti-Zionist, or for exercising my right to political association. Such choices are the legal right of every American. We must all take an interest in this election and cast a vote according to our consciences. We must refuse to be frightened by the likes of Miss West’s hate-filled rhetoric.
Endorsing a candidate and voting are rights for which many American patriots fought and died. Never again should our country be driven into unnecessary wars in which thousands of our children are murdered and maimed. Every American citizen must get involved in our country’s political process - and we must remain involved.
ANISA ABD EL FATTAH
National Association of Muslim American Women
Columbus, Ohio
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