Jan 8, 2011

As-Salāmu `Alaykum

Zahra, Muna, Dania @ Pioneer Square

On November 27, 2010, Mohamed Osman Mohamud had a rude awakening.  After attempting to detonate a car-bomb at Pioneer Square's annual Christmas tree lighting, he was arrested by his "collaborators" who turned out to be undercover FBI agents.   In the days after, the U.S Attorney's Office issued a statement that read, "The device was in fact inert, the public was never in danger."  Except for maybe Muslims.  Mere hours after Mohamud's dipshit attempt to kill hundreds of innocent people, an arsonist's fire set ablaze The Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center in Corvallis, OR.  The same reactionary hate crimes were perpetrated in the aftermath of 9-11.  I wonder if the FBI considered possible retaliatory violence towards Muslims in their set-up of Mohamud?  I also wonder if psychologically taunting a city with a fake bomb plot could technically be considered an act of terrorism?

These young ladies practice the beautiful & peaceful religion of Islam.  They go to an options school in Beaverton, OR where they study Health & Science.  I met them at a rally for unity and peace at Pioneer Place a few weeks after the federally mandated "bomb-plot".  Sponsored by The Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center, this rally invited the public to display solidarity against violent extremism and express unity amidst our differences.   Zahra, Muna, and Dania are not generally politically active, but Dania explained that they felt it was important to be there and express their wish for peace.  To me, they represent the true face of Islam and I would much rather see these faces in the news recognizing their accomplishments, rather than the scowl of a jihadi or any other violent extremist for that matter.  That is all of our responsibility, we must stop equating Islam and "terrorism" and reach out rather than retaliate.  As-Salāmu `Alaykum (Peace be upon you).

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