The recent tragedy in Norway is the subject of an editorial in NY Times of July 25 which focuses on Norway’s domestic terrorist, Anders Breivik — an anti-Islamic extremist, who carried out the attacks to “save” Norway and western Europe from “cultural Marxism and Muslim domination.” His heinous actions — a car bombing of government buildings and a shooting spree at a Labor Party youth camp — make him no different from the Muslim extremists.
Mr. Breivik appears to have been deeply influenced by a small group of American bloggers and writers who have warned for years about Islam’s supposed threat to Western civilization. Their tendency to paint law-abiding Muslims with the same brush as extremists is repugnant. They need to categorically denounce Mr. Breivik’s depravity.
Breivik cannot be dismissed as a lone crackpot whose xenophobia got the most of him. To call him insane and let it go at that is too easy, for him and for the rest of us. His hatred — of Muslims, immigrants and, most of all, fellow Norwegians elected to lead their country — is a familiar virus transplanted to a peaceful country.
When the news first broke of massacre in Norway, the initial reaction was “Muslim terrorists.” But it turned out that the terrorist who shocked the world was no Islamic extremist, but a blue-eyed, light-haired Nordic, those who see hatred coming only from one religious extreme were quick to place the case in a box of isolation.
But there is a global debate in which some are calling Anders Behring Brevik, a “Christian extremist” or “Christian terrorist.” As westerners wrestle with such characterizations of the Oslo mass murder suspect, the question arises: Nearly a decade after 9/11 created a widespread suspicion of Muslims based on the actions of a fanatical few, is this what it’s like to walk a mile in the shoes of stereotype?
Anti-Muslim activists are well organized and frequently appear in mass media such as Fox News or their own websites. A recent report by People For the American Way discusses eight strategies employed by anti-Muslim activists to cast doubt on the validity of Islam as a religion and the integrity of American Muslims in order to justify prejudice and illegal discrimination:
• Framing American Muslims as dangerous to America
• Twisting statistics and using fake research to “prove” the Muslim threat
• Inventing the danger of “creeping Sharia”
• Justifying taking away freedoms and liberties from Muslims in order to “defend liberty.”
• Denying the validity of Islam as a religion
• Arguing that Muslims have no First Amendment rights under the Constitution
• Linking anti-Muslim prejudice to anti-Obama rhetoric
• Slandering progressives and non-Christians as unholy and anti-American
The transformation of Breivik into a domestic terrorist and the report from People for the American Way are relevant for Tribune-Star readers. At least a dozen Islamophobic, inflammatory letters have appeared in the Tribune-Star during the last 12 months. The non-Muslim men and women of conscience have largely been silent. Let us hope America does not produce one or more Breiviks.
— Khwaja A. Hasan
(formerly of Terre Haute)
Wadsworth, Ill.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Let’s hope America doesn’t produce more Breiviks
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
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FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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FLASHPOINT: Election results finally in: Media reports were negative
Analysts who wonder why the citizenry is so down on politics can begin the discussion by looking at media coverage.
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