My Letter to Congressman Walsh: One Nation, Under God

Hi

Recently, Congressman Joe Walsh, representing the 8th District of Illinois, said some inflammatory things about Muslims.  While he defends his statements by saying, "We cannot let political correctness blind us to reality," he has failed to realize what his comments have done in "true" reality.

A good friend of mine recommended that instead of just complaining about it, that we take the time to write to the Congressman so that he hears our opinion.  According to that excellent recommendation, I have done so.

Here's my letter:

Dear Congressman Walsh,

As you're aware, you managed to upset many Americans with your recent comments.  While you acknowledged that most Muslims are peaceful, most people -- especially non-Muslims -- are not going to hear that.  What they will hear are your comments about immediate threats to our security and automatically equate that to Islam and its followers - Muslims.

This is unacceptable and unfair.  It also speaks to a clear lack of leadership on your part in representing Americans.

The problem is that you have radicals from every religion.  Unfortunately, there are those few people who misinterpret religious teachings and leverage that religion for their own personal gain.  This is an issue that impacts ALL people, not just Muslims.  So the right thing would have been to speak about radicals in general and not have people subconsciously associate "radical" with "Islam."  What you have done is a great disservice to our Beautiful Nation by encouraging paranoia, mistrust, and prejudice.

I really wish you would have responded by saying that Muslims are not radicals.  That people of any religion unfortunately fall into traps and become misguided and therefore do unthinkable things.  Unthinkable things like killing people in a movie theater, or killing innocent American Sikhs, or gangs taking innocent lives – a prevalent problem in my home state of Illinois and specifically in the Chicago area.  These people are the real radicals.  We live in chaotic and confusing times where misguided individuals or groups take action into their own hands.  In times like these, we Americans rely upon our leaders to provide us hope.  To open dialogue across communities.  To provide good education to all citizens.  To provide us safe streets. To remind us that Americans of all faiths share a basic human connection with one another.

I would ask that why have you not actively engaged yourself in Muslim communities so that you can get a better understanding about us?  Why not visit local Muslim leaders to see and "live" what Islam really is; the beauty of its brotherhood that appeals to people beyond race, color, or nationalities.  And why does Islam have such an appeal?  It's because the teachings in Islam provide a foundation to where its true follower is a caring individual who struggles to improve upon oneself whilst serving the community in an effort to please God.  It's why Muslims are perfect examples of being Americans.  We are one nation, under God.

But you, Sir, have simply added to the ocean of mistrust and fear instead of providing -- as a leader -- our communities strength.  If you worked in any Corporate America setting, your comments would have been inappropriate.  You would have been fired or, if not, enrolled into a class teaching the importance on diversity and becoming aware of the unconscious bias you have now added to.

May God Bless America.

Regards,

Imran Shakur

A Proud American Muslim

Cheers