By “Why aren’t we putting our military retirees on that border or in TSA? Get rid of all these hibi-jabis they wear at TSA?” asked an audience member at a Trump rally.
Itemad “Angel” Almatar was arrested by Chicago police while trying to catch a train in Chicago.
Both stories, among scores of others, highlight the rise of Islamophobia in our country.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on a key principle that this country was founded on: To ensure all Americans enjoy “freedom of religion” (because the early settlers came here to escape religious persecution.)
It’s ironic that a country whose constitution grants everyone the right to practice their religion freely has people and politicians alike singling out and publicly ridiculing those who practice the religion of Islam.
The problem is that there are too many people who don’t know enough about Islam or Muslims. They think our religion is foreign — a mystery — something from out of this world.
Islam was founded more than 1,400 years ago. It is not an alien religion, but a continuation of the Abrahamic prophetic line from Moses to Jesus to Muhammad.
It’s ironic that a country whose constitution grants everyone the right to practice their religion freely has people and politicians alike singling out and publicly ridiculing those who practice Islam.
Speaking of the mystery of Islam, the concept of hijab or veil in Islam is not new to other religions. In fact, women have donned the hijab since ancient times.
Classical Greek and Hellenistic statues sometimes depict Greek women with both their head and face covered by a veil.
Veiling is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. After seeing Isaac, as stated in The Old Testament, Rebekah proceeded to take a headcloth and cover herself” (Genesis: 24: 64 and 65).
If that wasn’t enough, The New Testament states, “but every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head — it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not be covered, then let her be shorn! But since it is disgraceful for woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered” (1 Corinthians: 11: 5, 6).
Let’s not forget that the most traditional depictions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, show her veiled. Oh! And what about those Catholic nuns? Yep. They cover their hair as well.
As a hijab wearing Muslim woman, I am saying that I shouldn’t be judged by my appearance, but by my intellect.
Not enough info for you? Okay, let’s take a look at Judaism, where the women actually have different ways of veiling depending on how strict a woman adheres to Jewish or Torah laws.
Orthodox Jewish women and Hasidic women dress modestly and cover their hair when they go out in the public. According to Jewish law, all married women have to cover their hair either with a tikhel (scarf) or a sheytl (wig). They also dress modestly by wearing long skirts and shirts with long sleeves and high necklines.
Education is the key to removing misconceptions and stereotypes. That’s why the efforts by the True Islam campaign, a grassroots public awareness program is extremely important.
The True Islam and the Extremists campaign seeks to clarify 11 major points of contention most Americans have about Islam such as terrorism, Shariah, and most importantly, the rights and role of women in Islam.
Wearing a hijab is not a restraint on Muslim women. Hijab wearing Muslim women are your doctors, lawyers, engineers, TSA agents, teachers, etc. As a hijab wearing Muslim woman, I am saying that I shouldn’t be judged by my appearance, but by my intellect.
To the police officers in Chicago and the woman at the Trump rally, as well as others out there, I say, please stop making generalizations about me or other Muslim women. Just ask us about our hijab.
Ask us about our faith. And know that I am not judging you for your attire or faith, so please stop judging me.
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Written By Saima Sheikh, who is a National Spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. Follow her on Twitter @SaimaGSheikh
So what’s your explanation of the hate from Muslims who live in Dearborn (yes, I’ve seen it)? I challenge anyone to walk the streets there while wearing a cross or crucifix and you will see what happens..don’t do it since you will be assaulted. So much for Muslims assimilating into OUR country. And why do many Muslims try to promote Shiria law?? And why are so called “good” Muslims SILENT when those devout (sick) Muslims commit murder??
You must have missed this: https://youtu.be/hAxIOC8Zisc Google the #NotInMyName campaign.
What about this where it shows just how much hate the Muslims have for Christians??https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVvgrEm4FE4
More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43INJy_cf3M
Sadly, many Muslims here despise our culture and Christianity and that is a huge problem and why people here are becoming more and more wary of them. Even countries in Europe are closing their doors as they have experienced way too many problems.
You are listening to the extremists & so are some in Europe. McVeigh said he was a Christian. Those in the Westboro Baptist Church call themselves Christians, too. They don’t represent most Christians & those in DAESH, etc., don’t represent most Muslims. For a women’s point of view, try reading MuslimGirl.com. They are women who are telling extremist Muslim men & anyone else who would define them, that they define themselves; no one else.
Have you been watching TV lately, all these Muslims come on National TV and condemned the killings. Those terrorists you are talking about, their major target is also Muslim people, they don’t have any religion. Don’t confuse them with Islam. We live here, and most of the Muslims here love USA, that is why our children sign up to defend this country and give their lives. My son served in Police here. They grew up here, we all love this country as our own, and 99% of Muslims love this country, and despise the terrorists. The problem is everytime, they do something, we have to come out and defend ourselves.But when a crazy Taxi driver shoots innocent civilians, or a white teenager shoots and kills so many people in a church, nobody blames Christianity. Its the people who are bad, not the religions. All religions are from God. We love and respect Jesus, as much as any Prophet, you will never hear from a Muslim, any insult for Jesus. These Mullahs have twisted Islam and brainwashed innocent kids to take advantage of them. Its all political, and they dont read Quran themself, they just believe what Mullah has told them. They are not going to Heaven for killing innocent people but Hell, and that is what is in the Quran.
The first article of Islamic Sheria Law is “To Believe in God Almighty”, where as US law says in “God we Trust”, as such there is no difference in Faith so why to argue?. The root of Islamic faith goes back to Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim). and Abraham was true believer’s of God Almighty.
Any how the Article written by Saima is excellent.
“As a hijab wearing Muslim woman, I am saying that I shouldn’t be judged by my appearance, but by my intellect.”
You may or may not wear a Hijab, it matters not. It is irrelevant to Islam and Muslims what you do or say. You are not a Muslim.
You are an Ahmadiyya. Ahmadiyya are NOT Muslims. They do NOT fit the description and definition of Muslims Allah Almighty has given in His Words in Quran Majeed.
When you go about tweeting and blogging that you are a Muslim then you are being devious, dishonest and a clever liar. Intellectual dishonesty and lack of integrity makes for the worst possible liar and cheat.
You are an Ahmadiyya Fitna, a disinformation propaganda merchant in the War on Islam. You are an enemy of Islam. You are NOT a Muslim. You want to take me on, on this, then go ahead. Make my day.
Your Call…!
La Illaha Illa llah Mohammad ud Rasoolullah
What exactly distinguishes an Ahmad-whatsit from a run of the mill Muslim? Don’t they do the whole five pillars thing and recite the profession of faith thing each day? Maybe they’re heterodox, but who’s to say they’re not Muslim? How about Shias? Are Shias Muslim in your view?
Hey muslimgirl, nun’s don’t wear a frikkin hijab..it’s called a habit that Roman Catholic nuns wear. Such ignorance, but it fits with this whole “make nice” blog. When was the last time YOU voiced out LOUD your hate with these ingrates who murder and torture?? How do you explain the FBI report of 3-4 years ago that showed that 80% of all mosque’s were preaching jihad?? So muslimgirl, do you support sharia law for the US? Muslims living in the shadows without expressing outrage of those who murder are just as culpable and you will never be accepted into OUR culture.