Love thy Muslim neighbor
As Christians around the world finished the celebration of what
is undoubtedly the very foundation of their religion on Easter
weekend, they should now notice and contemplate events affecting
the Muslim community, both within their respective countries and
abroad.
These events provide important lessons on justice, acceptance,
respect, and civility
—characteristics, though fundamentally Christian in nature, seem
all but lacking within those regions which are characteristically
Christian.
Love thy Muslim neighbor
As Christians around the world finished the celebration of what is undoubtedly the very foundation of their religion on Easter weekend, they should now notice and contemplate events affecting the Muslim community, both within their respective countries and abroad.
These events provide important lessons on justice, acceptance, respect, and civility—characteristics, though fundamentally Christian in nature, seem all but lacking within those regions which are characteristically Christian.
Within the last several weeks, Islam and its adherents within the United States have been subjected to both injustice and intolerance. For example in March, Representative Peter King (R-New York) organized and chaired the first in a series of congressional hearings on the radicalization of Muslim Americans in an effort to better combat threats to national security.
Not surprisingly, the initial inquiry resulted in widespread criticism, as Muslim Americans and their supporters felt the federal government’s pro-active, anti-terrorist methods rivaled those of the McCarthy Era—a time when having one’s name mentioned in a proceeding resulted in public humiliation, discrimination, and harassment.
These most recent hearings stand to do the same, for rather than promoting a discussion of national security King’s efforts threaten to tread on the rights of our Muslim neighbors.
On the heels of the congressional hearings in the Washington, D.C., a Floridian pastor, Terry Jones, and his congregation held a mock trial in which the defendant was the Quran, Islam’s most sacred text. Inciting terrorism and provoking the September 11th attacks were among the charges brought against the Quran.
A foregone conclusion, the Quran was found guilty and sentenced to “death” by burning. Jones, despite pleas from President Obama and others within his administration, carried out the execution. Desecrating any religious text promotes intolerance, as it rejects the recognition of another’s values, beliefs, and principles.
The anti-Muslim atmosphere is not isolated to America. On April 11th, France implemented a controversial law that prohibits the wearing of full veils in public. Though not specifically stated, the legislation addresses the female, Muslim practice of concealing one’s face as a matter of religious principle.
Sponsors of the law, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, cite that such practices threaten French culture and society, despite the fact that a negligible number of Muslim women in France adhere to this practice.
By disregarding the importance that some Muslim women place on their standards of dress, French politicians stand to thwart efforts at promoting a respectful and civil society.
As Easter Sunday approaches and the Christian community begins contemplating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, serious thought should also be given to those words spoken by Jesus while he was alive, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Succinct and poignant, this phrase lays the very foundation of Christianity’s basic tenets of justice, acceptance, respect, and civility. Coincidentally, these are the same characteristics that have helped to shape the political, economic, and social institutions of both the United States and France.
Furthermore, Jesus’ words provide a framework from which the Christian community can begin building a bridge of humanity and understanding between itself and its Muslim neighbors.
Frank J. Perez,
Hollister
