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From: nyoung@desire.wright.edu (Nils R. Bull Young)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Time of trouble...
Message-ID: <1991Jan19.063112.14345@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 19 Jan 91 06:31:12 GMT
Sender: shari@wpi.WPI.EDU (Shari Deiana VanderSpek)
Organization: University Computing Services, Wright State University
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Approved: shari@wpi.wpi.edu



One hears constantly of late about various acts taken by certain
obviously ignorant americans against members of the Islamic 
community. These acts, one must remember, are acts of ignorance.
They are the acts which are driven by the lack of realization that
Kuwait is also a Muslim area. 
  Outside of whether it is right for American troops to be there,
outside of the debate over who should be there at all, and outside
of any question of whether any actions of a political nature are
right or wrong, this much should be remembered: those who do not
understand Islam and those who do not want to understand Islam will
always act out of their ignorance.
  It oncerns me when these things happen, because I am a non-
Muslim. I do not want anyone to feel that all gringos are as
insenstive to another person's religion. And, above all, I do not
waothers to be harrassed or victimized for their beliefs.
  To this end, it may be necessary for Muslims in the U.S. to
try and matheir non-Muslim neighbors understand their religion.
And, if at all possible, to avoid the politics. (Knowing full well
how hard that is to do in these times.)
  (If many Americans took the time to read the Koran, this post
would be unnecessary. If President Bush had taken the time to 
read the Koran, this war would not be necessary -- at least on
the religious perspective. My own opinions, crack-brain as they 
may be, of course.)
As-salaam aleikum.

Nils Young