God bless America, a thousand times

I recently attended a Friday khutbah, or sermon, during which the imam spoke of the goodness of this country. He also spoke of the goodness of its people, and he said that the most important task for American Muslims in the new century is outreach to their American brothers and sisters. He spoke of the importance of American Muslims seeing themselves as fully American, and that as Americans, they must embrace their responsibilities of citizenship. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the khutbah. I feel exactly the same way, and I was very happy that the imam had said such things; things that American Muslims desperately need to hear and understand. After the prayer ended, I heard one of my fellow-worshippers grumble unhappily. He said out loud, "All that was left for him to say was 'God bless America.'" I was very upset at his reaction. I was about to tell him, "Then, brother, leave the country." These words, however, never reached his ears. I did not have the courage to say them to him directly. Yet, they reflected a deep-seated frustration with an attitude that I fear some Muslims may still harbor. 

I came to learn that other people did not like the message of his sermon as well. In fact, someone told me that the imam must have said such things because he knew he was being "watched." This only served to increase my frustration. How could American Muslims, after everything that has happened since the horror of September 11, still harbor such feelings? How could American Muslims still feel that America has nothing good? Therefore I say, in no uncertain terms, the following: God bless America, a thousand times. 

There are a few places on this earth where Muslims can worship God and have an opportunity to fully express their Islamic ideology and America is one of those places. Few places on this earth exist where people enjoy the freedom of speech we Americans also take for granted. Few places on this earth does the rule of law reign supreme as it does in this country. Despite all the negative aspects of this country that people can come up with, this country is still unique where the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Therefore I say: God bless America, a thousand times.

America is a country with an abundant amount of goodness and purity. Its people are a fundamentally good people, with warm hearts and almost boundless generosity. America has a compassion rivaled by few other nations in this world, and in fact, I have personally experienced this generosity and compassion. Yes, this country has been blessed by God from its very beginnings, and so I say: God bless America, a thousand times. 

This is why I get so frustrated at the attitude of some American Muslims who feel America is the epitome of injustice and evil. I am incredulous at these Muslims, especially the immigrants among them, who refuse to acknowledge the goodness of this country. These immigrants came to America's shores to find a better life for themselves and their families. And America opened her arms and her heart to them. For them to enjoy the fruits of America's generosity and kindness--yet at the same time revile and despise her--smacks of ingratitude of enormous proportions. 

Now, I wholeheartedly agree that America is not perfect. In his famous "I Have a Dream Speech," Dr. Martin Luther King said, "When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." 

Unfortunately, America "has defaulted on this promissory note," as Dr. King said, many times throughout her history. From her scourge of the Native Americans, to her enslavement of thousands of Africans, to her persecution of the sons and daughters of those slaves; from justifying indefinite imprisonment of citizens as "enemy combatants" without trial or counsel, to remaining silent while the fires of injustice and hatred continue to burn in the Holy Land, to the illegal invasion of Iraq as the "central front" in the war on terrorism, America has not always lived up to her ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. America has not always behaved as the "City on the Hill." 

Yet, this reality--rather than be the source of hatred for America--should be the source of inspiration for American Muslims to get involved in their society and change it for the better. America is not perfect, but with American Muslims fulfilling their responsibilities of citizenship, America can become more perfect. America is not always on the right path, but with Muslims in the fray, America can be on the right path more often than not. America is not Utopia, but with Muslims hand-in-hand with their non-Muslim brothers and sisters, America can become more like Utopia with each passing day.

The Prophet Muhammad told us that if we see something evil, we should work to change it with our hands. If we are unable to do so, then we should speak out against it. If we are unable even to do this, then we should hate it with our hearts, and this is the weakest state of faith. Muslims in America, because of the goodness of America, are able to effect positive change with their "hands," which means getting involved in the social, cultural, and political institutions of the county. If a Muslim is unwilling to do this--being content with harboring ill will for America and her people--and yet still wishes to remain and enjoy the fruits of this country's goodness, then he approaches the gravest of hypocrisies, unbecoming of the character and and nature of a Muslim. 

Perhaps America's shortcomings--especially those concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Iraq--lead some American Muslims to scoff whenever someone, like that imam, says that America is fundamentally good. Yet, if America has its problems, which it absolutely does, then it is the duty of patriotic American citizens to struggle and make America better. American Muslims must be at the forefront of that struggle, and failing to do so is a grave injustice. And as Muslims, we can never walk the earth and be on the side of injustice. 

Thus, I will always say God bless America. When God blesses America, Muslims can live and worship in peace. When God blesses America, America will live up to its ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. When God blesses America, she will use her power and influence to work for global justice and the common good. Only good things can come when God blesses America, and thus, I say, in no uncertain terms: God bless America, a thousand times.

Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago physician and writer. He is author of "Why I Love the Ten Commandments," published in the book Taking Back Islam: American Muslims Reclaim Their Faith (Rodale Press), winner of the prestigious Wilbur Award for 2003 Best Religion Book of the Year by the Religion Communicators Council.

His blog can be visited at http://drhassaballa.blogspot.com