Thursday, May 24, 2012

9/20/10, Letter to Editor, New York Times



Muslims and the Apology Question
By: Sardar Anees Ahmad

Nicholas D. Kristof’s Sept. 19 column, “Message to Muslims: I’m Sorry,” made me proud, yet again, to be an American. But this phrase “proud to be an American” is so prevalent precisely because it is so true.

What other society, despite its reservations about a religious minority, would allow for such a prominent journalist to issue such a forceful rebuke of bigotry? The French Senate’s passage of a bill barring women from wearing the full facial veil anywhere in public is but one example demonstrating that Mr. Kristof’s gesture is significant.

Mr. Kristof’s comments are representative of the majority of Americans. In light of this, I cringe when I hear comments like those of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of the Park51 Islamic center near ground zero that Muslims must now be able to “drink from this cup” of American prosperity.

What must one do to demonstrate that Muslim-Americans have long had access to this cup?

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