WHY WE SHOULD BECOME MEMBER OF MUSLIM ALLIANCE OF INDIANA?
By Shahid Athar, MD, FACP, FACE
The Muslims of Indiana should join Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) to defend their dignity and civil rights which has become a casualty of the "war on terrorism". The lack of understanding about this diverse and growing religious group in the post 9/11 era is not new, but it is worsening as a result of media stereotyping and narrow, yet extreme perspective of some very vocal and well known American leaders. Xenophobia, the vilification of Islam and rise of Islamophobia are real part of American climate today.
The USA PATRIOT Act and other governmental actions have impacted in very real ways ordinary people with no intent to harm the U.S. The American civil liberties are eroding.
The business and workplace discrimination has become more prevalent than before.
Muslim community centers, mosques, homes and businesses throughout the nation have been vandalized, received arson and bomb threats and some have been burned to the ground. The Muslim women and youth have become vulnerable to the growing anti-Islam climate.
Muslims are told that giving even to mainstream Muslim organizations may result in being charged with assisting terrorism. The consequence is reduced charitable giving among Muslims leading to the closure of several good organizations .
Above all, the God given right of a dignified and free life for all, is being taken away from the Muslims.
Should the Muslims do something about the challenges being posed or simply watch it as another drama being played on the television?
The members of Muslim Alliance of Indiana have accepted the challenges and are going to make a difference in the above mentioned scenario.
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Shahid Athar, MD
8424 Naab Road
Suite 2D
Indianapolis, IN 46260