Critical Reaction on Islamophobia: Does America Have a Muslim Problem Article by Bobby Ghosh - Essay Example

? Critical Reaction Paper Critical Reaction Paper Bobby Ghosh sought to explore the populist attitudes towards Muslims and Islam in America with an aim of focusing on efforts geared towards building and preventing mosques and Islamic centers in America. As such, he wrote the article, “Islamophobia: Does America Have a Muslim Problem?” on 30 August 2010 (Ghosh, 2010). At the time, there was heightened controversy on the idea of building the “Park51” mosque and community center in New York City. Initially, he assumed that patients who are white Americans have no concern over the race, religion, or creed of their doctors (Ghosh, 2010). Indeed, he did not expect much opposition from them towards the idea of building the “Park51” mosque. However, he later learned that the whites hates Islam and refers to it as a religion of hate whose aim is to wipe out Christianity (Ghosh, 2010). He even thinks that the white Americans view Islam as a recruiting agency for terrorists. Indeed, Ghosh hold the view that opponents of Islam cast Muslims as sympathizers of al-Qaeda, which is false. According to him, white Americans consider Muslims as murders but reckon that even Christians have greater social vices and thus should not judge Islam. He asserts that America has the most diverse Muslim population in the world where the Muslims represent every race and sect in America. Additionally, Ghosh reckons that the Park51 resistance reflected an aspect of intolerance against the Muslims that has been alive since 9/11 only to deepen in the recent times (Ghosh, 2010). In fact, he observes that hate speech against Muslims and Islam is on the rise and Islamophobia is the new form of racism in America. Indeed, he holds the idea that the mosque protests and political influence cemented Islamophobia in America (Ghosh, 2010). Actually, the views expressed in lower Manhattan and in Sheboygan County are not isolated since a study revealed that 46% of Americans believe Islam is the most probable cause of violence against nonbelievers than other faiths (Ghosh, 2010). Nevertheless, he confirms that Muslims are safer and freer in America than in any other Western country. Indeed, Congress has two elected American Muslims and for the first time in 2010, Miss USA was a Muslim. Additionally, there are plans to the country's first Muslim college in Berkeley (Ghosh, 2010). However, he establishes the core arguments of the opponents that assert that Muslims are not and can never be full Americans (Ghosh, 2010). He states that such hatred manifests clearly in the places of worship, which are on the increase. He further notes that such hatred is not only limited to proposed mosques and Muslim centers but also on the Koran where a pastor in Gainesville, initiated plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (Ghosh, 2010). On the same note, pastors are taking the Koran out of context to support their assertions that Islam requires believers to kill or convert all others. Moreover, he claims that the most vicious attacks on Islam are on the internet where bloggers are making Park51 a national issue and making that hatred viral. Ghosh holds the view that although religious intolerance does not apply to Muslims only, the American society reserves the most dominant hostility and hatred for Muslims (Ghosh, 2010). Conversely, he claims that since Saudi Arabia does not permit the building of churches and synagogues, America should also forbid Muslims from building Islamic places of worship. Nevertheless, he notes that many Christian, Jewish, and secular groups have opposed naked anti-Islamic. He even suggests that Muslim is a very small group in U.S, which should receive little attention according to the 2007 release of the Pew Research Center report Muslim Americans that estimated Muslims to be a mere 2.35 million of the American population (Ghosh, 2010). At the same time, he recognizes that upon becoming President, Obama sought to promote the American image in the Islamic world (Ghosh, 2010). More so, Ghosh states that some white Americans view the growing resentment against Islam as a potential to discouraging Muslims from assimilating into the wider society. He therefore recommends that the best option that the society can adopt is appealing to Americans' sense of justice and fair play. Indeed, he reckons that unlike non-Muslim Americans who are less accommodative, Muslims can offer help to any religion and are therefore experiencing unfair hostility and hatred in America (Ghosh, 2010). Notably, Ghosh has central questions regarding assimilation. Indeed, he questions whether U.S. have a problem with Islam and whether the terrorist attacks of 9/11as well as subsequent attempts absolutely excluded Muslims from full assimilation into American society (Ghosh, 2010). He also wonders why has Islamophobia has suddenly intensified in America. On the other hand, he questions the rationality of comparing U.S, which has a foundation of religious freedom and tolerance, and Saudi Arabia that has a state religion (Ghosh, 2010). On the other hand, Ghosh characterize attitudes toward Muslims and Islam in the U.S by asserting that white Americans have immense suspicion, scorn, and hostility against Islam that they refer to as a religion of hate. Indeed, white Americans have a negative attitude towards Islam, which they claim seeks to wipe out Christianity and supports terrorism. Furthermore, although the American society does not limit religious intolerance to Islam, they reserve the most toxic hostility for Muslims. Nevertheless, Ghosh detected changes in these attitudes in the past few years where the uproar against Islam rose in the recent past with protestors basing their argument on the 9/11 attacks. Additionally, he reckons that leading Christian figures have been questioning the existence of Islam and regarded Prophet Muhammad as a robber and terrorist (Ghosh, 2010). Moreover, political leaders have also been circumspect of Islam as the string of terrorism-related incidents involving American Muslims worsened the Americans attitudes toward Islam (Ghosh, 2010). As such, he notes that opposition for Muslim communities has been increasing. Actually, Christian figures like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell openly questioned the existence of Islamic religion and Prominent Democrats like Senator Harry Reidhav opposed the building of Park5 (Ghosh, 2010). However, there has been support for Muslim communities where Mayor Michael Bloomberg, professionals like Paul Walier, a Buffalo, N.Y., lawyer, President Bush and his administration, and President Obama defended Muslims constitutional right to practice its faith in America (Ghosh, 2010). Nevertheless, I do not agree with Ghosh view on the safety and freedom of Muslims in America in comparison with any other Western country. Notably, Ghosh was right to suggest Muslims enjoy freedom in America. Indeed, America accords its citizens the religious freedom, political freedom, and economic opportunity. More so, America rescues Muslims from hostile countries like Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. However, Ghosh was wrong in his analysis where he does not establish variant issues and limitations that inhibit the freedom and safety of Muslims in America. Ideally, in America, every religious outfit has experienced discrimination at one point (American Civil Liberties Union, 2013). The Muslims are the recent casualties of discrimination where they have experience immense hostility in America. In fact, there have been continued religious motivated attacks and discrimination on existing and proposed Islamic centers like Park5 (Pew Research Centre, 2012). As such, Muslims face unfair treatment for exercising their freedom of worship and association. Most specifically, there have been bans on sharia and international law, which limit the freedom of Muslims in America. Additionally, white Americans discriminate Muslims based on their appearance and against Muslim women (American Civil Liberties Union, 2013).This limits Muslims in America the freedom to do what they want. For instance, there is infiltration and surveillance of mosques and Muslim communities by the FBI and against the New York Police Department, which inhibits the freedom of Muslims (American Civil Liberties Union, 2013). Additionally, the unconstitutional administration of the “No Fly List” which involves Muslims is also an aspect that limits Islamic freedom. More so, America has attacked various American Muslim organizations and individuals since 9/11 thus jeopardizing the safety of American Muslims. These aspects negate Ghosh’s assertion that Muslims are safer and freer in America than in any other Western country. As such, I personally think that Ghosh made significant efforts in trying to show the position of Islam in America especially in relation to the controversies surrounding existing and proposed Mosques and Islamic Centers. Indeed, the article was efficient and relevant in addressing the topic of Islamophobia in America. Additionally, Ghosh’s views reflected the actual picture of Islam perception in America. However, Ghosh was seemingly wrong in asserting that Muslims are safer and freer in America than in any other Western country. Indeed, the counter arguments and examples proved his assertion wrong. Nevertheless, I would suggest that Americans practice the American democracy that calls for fairness and justice to accord Muslims their freedom of religion as President Obama reckons. References American Civil Liberties Union. (2013). Protecting the Religious Freedom of Muslims. Retrieved from: https://www.aclu.org/protecting-religious-freedom-muslims Ghosh, B. (2010). Islamophobia: Does America Have a Muslim Problem? Retrieved from: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2011936-1,00.html Pew Research Centre. (2012). Controversies Over Mosques and Islamic Centers Across the U.S. Retrieved from: http://features.pewforum.org/muslim/controversies-over-mosque-and-islamic-centers-across-the-us.html Read More