Let us Cherish the Freedom

This Fourth of July is different for Muslim Americans. Previously, this day came and went by without making much difference in the life of most of them. But this year each of them is aware of the close scrutiny they all are being held. The country is under threat as some terrorists have pledged to attack its citizens and its monuments. Those who have issued threats claim to be Muslims. Some Muslim Americans may feel that he or she may be a suspect in the eyes of his neighbor or law enforcement agency. 

On that day, anyone who looks like a Muslim will be watched very closely and who knows how many Muslims might decide to stay home for fear of being identified by someone as a suspect. 

But this is a day when Muslims must express their confidence on the democratic institutions of this country. This is a day when they should go out and demonstrate that their is a vast difference between terrorists who have Muslim names and Muslims who have nothing to do with terrorism. Muslims must be visible on this day in public gatherings. Women with hijab, children with kufi and men with beards should express their solidarity with the rest of the nation by joining prayer services wherever they can. Perhaps, Muslim Americans can organize their prayers for the country in mosques and Islamic centers to make the point they are as much victims of terrorism as the rest of the country. 

Dr. Aslam Abdullah is the Editor of the Minaret magazine which is a monthly publication from Los Angeles, California.