Last Thursday area Muslims denounced the plans of a marginal Christian pastor in Florida to burn copies of the Holy Qu’ran on the anniversary of the terror attacks of 9/11.
Led by state Rep. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), a press conference was held at the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 28 in North St. Louis with Minister Donald Muhammad.
“It’s an outrage that Rev. Terry Jones would lead his congregation in such an abhorrent act,” said Nasheed.
“This will only further damage relations between the United States government and the Muslim world at a time when we desperately need to achieve peace and understanding.”
After a decision-making process that was covered by world media, the marginal pastor of a 50-person congregation (who was high school classmates in Cape Girardeau with conservative media host Rush Limbaugh) did not proceed with the book burning.
Akbar Muhammad, international representative of the Nation of Islam, commented on the misconception of Islam as a foreign faith to America. “We are American-born. We are not newcomers. We have been here since the beginning of America,” Min. Muhammad said.
President Barack Obama made a simular statment during his historic speech in Cairo, Egypt: “I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story.” The religion of Islam was imported into American carried in the hearts, minds, and sprites of over 30 percent of African slaves.
Among the attendees were Dr. M. Waheed Rana, professor of anatomy at Saint Louis University, and Imam Muhamed Hasic of St. Louis’ Bosnian mosque, the Islamic Community Center.
Dr. Rana said, “There is one good thing that will come out of this: This will unite us.”
Imam Hasic spoke about building bridges and the common theme of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to “treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Other attendees of the press conference included Todd Irans-El of the Moorish Science Temple and John Collins-Bey of the Democratic Youth Council.
Attorney Eric E. Vickers said “This is a teachable moment.” (See his commentary on page A4.)
At the end of the press conference, members of Muhammad Mosque #28 passed out free copies of the Holy Qu’ran.
“Rev. Jones through his own admission has never read the Qu’ran,” said Min. Donald Muhammad.
“We gave free copies so others can make their own judgment as to its content.”
‘Don’t start turning on each other’
Last week President Obama also make strong remarks in defense of religious plurality, tolerance and respect while answering reporters’ questions following prepared remarks about the economy.
“I think it is absolutely important now for the overwhelming majority of the American people to hang onto that thing that is best in us, a belief in religious tolerance, clarity about who our enemies are,” Obama said.
“Our enemies are al Qaeda and their allies who are trying to kill us, but have killed more Muslims than just about anybody on Earth. We have to make sure that we don’t start turning on each other.”
Obama – who is a Christian – added, “And I will do everything that I can as long as I am President of the United States to remind the American people that we are one nation under God, and we may call that God different names but we remain one nation.”
