Moderate Muslims must be heard and seen!
Reader comment on item: Moderate Muslims March in Phoenix

Submitted by Rose Wittemen (United States), Apr 30, 2004 at 10:59

Is this a re-education process--that moderate American Muslims must be taught they can and must express themselves without fear of political or religious retribution? Or is the problem symptomatic of Muslims taking advantage of all the blessings and freedoms the U.S. offers while refusing to defend all they enjoy? Where is the Muslim leadership--clerics and civic leaders alike? Muslims in America cannot have it both ways--say nothing/ do nothing and then be upset by real or imagined prejudices.

I applaud and encourage Mr. Jasser to continue his efforts. However, until moderate Muslims stand by him in majority numbers, I will continue to be suspect . Until the moderates separate themselves from the terrorists; until they visibly and vocally present themselves as a majority voice and presence, as fellow Americans who will do all they can to protect ME as well as other Muslims; until they turn in their rogue members--until they become my fellow citizens above all else, they make it impossibly for ME, an American being threatened and under attack, to be concerned by their discomfort if they are profiled, detained, questioned or mistrusted.

This generation of Muslims has the ability to make themselves heard as never before-- moderate Muslims must decide what messages we will hear.

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