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Powell Defends American Pluralism, So Should We
By Souheila Al-Jadda
American-Muslims were recently surprised that former Secretary of State and Republican Colin Powell recently endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for President on “Meet the Press.” However, they were more surprised by his defense of Muslim Americans in the same interview. Criticizing the negative tone of the Republican Party and allegations that Obama was a Muslim, Powell made it a point to tell the nation that Muslims in this country are just as American as, “Joe the American.”
I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim; he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, "What if he is?" Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? – Colin Powell, Meet the Press, October 19, 2008
He went on to describe a photo he saw of a mother embracing her son’s grave. Her son was an American soldier who died in Iraq, serving his country. Her son was a Muslim. All Americans should welcome Colin Powell’s statement. Not only did he defend Muslims as a faith group, but he also defended the idea of pluralism and equality.
Similarly, when a woman at a John McCain speech expressed her fear of Obama because she thought he was an Arab, McCain rightly corrected her misconception. Afterwards, CNN news anchor, Campbell Brown commented. “So what if Obama was Arab or Muslim?” Campbell asked, “Would it matter? When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words?”
Certainly, 9/11, the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as international terrorist incidents during the past eight years have shaped American’s perceptions about Muslims. In fact, a Pew Research poll last year, revealed that more than a third of Americans have negative views of Muslims. But attitudes can change.
The fact is that the Islamic way of life is compatible with the American way of life; I and more than 6 million American-Muslims in this country are evidence to that. American Muslims have repeatedly demonstrated that they are active public citizens—whether serving as grassroots organizers, U.S. congressional representatives, or members of their children’s PTA. By participating in American life, Muslims are practicing their faith – a faith that teaches us to be kind to our neighbors and productive members of society – wherever that society may be.
While Powell’s statement is a welcomed gesture, the job of defending American Muslims let alone American pluralism does not end with the former Secretary of State. The onus is now on us. As members of the interfaith community, particularly the Muslim members, we ought to use Powell’s statement as a springboard for greater grassroots action.
The Prophet Mohammed is reported to have said, “Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them; make them calm with glad tidings and do not repulse them."
Muslims must contribute to making life easier for others and showing their willingness to defend the civil liberties of all Americans regardless of faith, creed, culture or ethnicity. Let’s follow Powell’s example and work together to transform his powerful words into positive interfaith action.
Souheila Al-Jadda is columnist and producer of Peabody Award winning, Mosaic: World News from the Middle East, on Link TV.
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