Islamophobia is daunting challenge

Thank you for the insightful and courageous editorial of May 22 in which the Daily Herald editorial board highlighted the overt prejudice directed toward Muslims in the United States.

There is a name for this prejudice. It is called Islamophobia.

Muslims in the U.S. are faced with a daunting challenge.

They are repeatedly called upon to reaffirm their patriotism. But when Muslims do reaffirm their love for the U.S., critics in the media, government and the general public question their motives.

The Muslim community in the U.S. is repeatedly called upon to denounce terrorism committed in the name of Islam.

"Why don't they speak out?" ask critics of Muslims in the U.S.

Quite frankly, Muslims do speak out regularly against violence perpetrated in the name of Islam, and they will continue doing so as long as terrorists misappropriate Islam to justify their barbarism.

Now this prejudice has seeped into the upcoming elections. As millions of Muslims prepare to help elect the next president of the United States, they must also contend with Islamophobia in the campaign.

Barack Obama denies that he is a Muslim as if calling him one were slander.

It was reported that recently Sen. Obama had a heated exchange with Sen. Lieberman on the Senate floor because Lieberman only halfheartedly denied Obama was a Muslim.

The alternative is John McCain. Sen. McCain receives counsel from spiritual leaders who openly espouse virulent hostility towards Islam.

The truth is that Muslims in the U.S. are patriotic and productive members of society.

Muslim doctors treat patients in hospitals across the nation. Muslim lawyers work as prosecutors and public defenders in the criminal justice system. Muslim social workers help abused and neglected children, and Muslims serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Islamophobia can only be eliminated through a better understanding of Islam and Muslims by the general public.

The Daily Herald's May 22 editorial was a valuable teaching tool for furthering this understanding.

Junaid M. Afeef

Director, Public and Government Affairs

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago