Bully-Free Future

The man behind the mosque-messages of peace and understanding

There is a big flap in lower Manhattan because the community board there has overwhelmingly voted (29 t0 one), to move forward with a plan to build a mosque and Islamic Cultural Center a stone’s throw from Ground Zero.   Interestingly and less widely reported is the fact that the mosque is currently in the neighborhood and is simply moving to larger quarters. 

Also noted, the iman, Feisal Abdul Rauf is an outspoken and documented moderate committed to fighting radicalism. His messages center on tolerance and peace. Rauf has prevailed-as it should be

However, these facts don’t diminish the outrage that some feel when they hear that a mosque will be sharing the same air space as the former World Trade Center.  Some feel this is an egregious affront to those who lost their lives on September 11^th as well as an endorsement of religious extremism that many believe go hand and glove with Islam.

Would we have the same outrage if a Roman Catholic Church moved into the shadow of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City?  After all, Timothy McVeigh was raised as a Catholic and regularly attended daily Mass at Good Shepherd Church in Pendleton, New York.

What if one of the nine or so other Christian Churches within a half-mile radius of the Murrah Building needed some room to stretch?  Would we raise a ruckus because a Christian church ‘living’ next door to the site of a terrible tragedy was disrespectful of those who died and the families that lost loved ones?

Of course not.

Timothy McVeigh does not represent all Christians any more than the men behind the horrific tragedy that was 9/11 represent all those who practice Islam.

If we truly want our children to live in a peaceful-and yes, bully-free world, we have to consciously fight stereotypes-no matter how painful.  While we can’t-and shouldn’t excuse or accept extremists and their behavior we always have to remember that the actions of a few do not represent everyone in a group.

We want our children to respect and celebrate all cultures, choices and ‘abilities’ and to judge people for who they are and how the act-not on how they might act someday.  And we want our children to be judged by the same standards.

We should be outraged by people who violate the sanctity of human life-for whatever the reason, but we need also need to accept that there are people-with similar background to those whose actions we deplore- who are working for peace and harmony.

Our kids take their lead from us.

Let’s make sure we are focused on helping them create a world that is safe and peaceful-free of bias and bullying.

The proverbial buck stops with us.

 With Respect,

Deb

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