In the Friday, February 5 Cincinnati Enquirer, Momitul Talukdar, a Walnut Hills High School student, wrote “Muslim-Americans suffering in silence,” which was published along with a large photo of her on the editorial page.
There’s silence and then there’s silence.
What is she silently suffering about in 27 column inches, including her smiling photo?
- An American citizen born in Bangladesh, she is upset about troops being sent to Afghanistan. Instead, “America should offer assistance.”
- All those fundamentalists holding up the Koran on TV do not represent Islam, no matter what they do and no matter what all their imams say.
- People have been rude to her and have appeared frightened of her (she wears a headscarf) after 9/11.
- Muslim-Americans are “forced to suffer in silence.”
She is suffering even more silently about (i.e. not mentioning) these recent stories:
- The massacre at Fort Hood by a Muslim American soldier, Major Nidal Malik Hasan.
- The attempted mass murder of jet passengers by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Muslim whose own father tried to warn officials about him.
- The trial and conviction of another nice, well educated, American Muslim girl, Aafia Siddiqui, who attempted to murder American soldiers in Afghanistan.
9/11 was a turning point for Momitul Talukdar, not because she had to examine extreme and violent interpretations of Islam as a worldwide reality, not because nearly 3,000 fellow Americans were brutally murdered, but because her feelings have been hurt. She's just another American girl who likes to shop and watch TV, but after 9/11, she hasn't always received the "smiles and polite hellos" that are her due. She does acknowledge that things might not improve until the al-Qaida "campaign of terrorism subsides" — if it does. There are new stories about jihadist attacks somewhere in the world every week. What could make them subside? She thinks giving aid other than military aid will somehow pacify the Taliban. How's that? Pay them off and they'll stop their warlike customs, stop assisting Al Qaeda, stop abusing women?
The small minority of fundamentalist (fundamentally what?) Muslims adds up to a very large number of dangerous people. It's doubtful if Miss Talukdar has read the entire Koran and studied the example of Mohammed, or understands terms like jihad, abrogation, dhimmitude, or taqiyya.
In the United States, it seems the only time we hear from the silent Muslims is when their feelings have been hurt by rude people who are afraid of being killed. Muslims seldom speak out against these outrages except as a sidebar to complaints about being offended. This, by the way, is the mission of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations). CAIR isn't about reforming the extremist interpretations of the religion of peace. We don't see them working to change the reality of what Islam is for many people all over the world. That silence about the atrocities speaks louder than the periodic complaints about feeling uncomfortable.
Seemingly Miss Talukdar cannot imagine herself as an American target, though she is an American; as a Muslim target, though Muslims are frequently killed by other Muslims around the world; or even as an airline passenger.
But no one in the United States is forcing Miss Talukdar to be silent.
Comments
"Muslims seldom speak out against these outrages except as a sidebar to complaints about being offended."
Of course, the ever-dishonest Rhonda Keith carefully ignores what Momitul Talukdar actually said:
"Watching the news and video clips of fundamentalists holding up the Quran, I just shake my head and yell at the TV. That is not Islam. If it were, I wouldn't be Muslim... There are many misunderstandings between Muslims overseas and Americans. Both groups regard the other group as evil. They fail to recognize the good that the other has to offer and they are missing the chance to cooperate toward a common goal of eliminating terrorism... Terrorists are the enemy..."
By ridiculing what Momitul has to say, Rhonda is basically putting her stamp of approval on anti-Muslim bigotry. This should surprise no one, since we know from her past writings that Rhonda Keith is herself a bigot.
Thanks for the fresh evidence of your bigotry, Rhonda.
Miss Talukdar did not write about any specific acts of terrorism more recent than 9/11, and then it was to talk about how it affected her. If life changed radically for her, her family, and other peaceful Muslims, it's surprising they didn't move back home after 9/11.
The title of her article, its theme, and its conclusion are all about her feelings. If we saw Muslims regularly writing to newspapers and the on the Web, speaking out on TV, and demonstrating against Muslim terrorists, I'd be more sensitive to their delicate sensibilities.
The title of the article, its main theme, and its conclusion are about her forced silence, which clearly contradicts the existence of this article. Even wearing a scarf on her head is a form of speech and self-identification. Saying she’s forced to be silent is dishonest.
"Miss Talukdar did not write about any specific acts of terrorism more recent than 9/11..."
Ah, well, point taken. Clearly only those Muslims who take the time to list EVERY SINGLE ACT OF TERRORISM ever committed by anyone with skin darker than Rhonda Keith's own pasty visage can have any credibility at all. Any Muslim who doesn't do that is obviously not serious when they say they are opposed to terrorism. How very perceptive our Rhonda is.
"...and then it was to talk about how it affected her."
Well, how DARE anyone who has been targetted anti-Muslim bigotry express their dismay? Why, you'd think these Terrifying Brown People[TM] actually believe they have freedom of speech! The NERVE of some people!
"If life changed radically for her, her family, and other peaceful Muslims, it's surprising they didn't move back home."
The brown people should just go home. Boy, it just doesn't get any more blatant than this.
"The title of her article, its theme, and its conclusion are all about her feelings."
And everyone knows that Terrifying Brown People[TM] don't have feelings like white people do, right, Rhonda?
"If we saw Muslims regularly writing to newspapers and the on the Web, speaking out on TV, and demonstrating against Muslim terrorists, I'd be more sensitive to their tender sensibilities."
That's right. Because Rhonda Keith doesn't see Muslims working against terrorism, that means they must not be doing so. Everyone knows that Rhonda Keith is the West's foremost expert on Muslim life, and what she doesn't know about clearly cannot be happening. So there, nyah.
Here is a short list of thoughtful books by Muslims about the problems in Islam. I recommend these to Miss Talukdar. None of these Muslims is afraid to speak.
Islam and the Jews
Mark A. Gabriel (pseudonym used to protect himself)
www.markagabriel.org/
Now They Call Me Infidel
Nonie Darwish
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Azar Nafisi
Why I Am Not a Muslim
Ibn Warraq
www.challenging-islam.org/articles/warraq-debate-muslims.htm
Why I Left Jihad
Walid Shoebat
www.shoebat.com
Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia
Carmen bin Laden
The Trouble with Islam Today
Irshad Manji
www.muslim-refusenik.com
Discussing her own overt bigotry is obviously much too great a challenge for Rhonda Keith. Now she is presuming to educate a Muslim about the religion of Islam -- which is an expression of bigotry in itself.
Momitul Talukdar wasn't afraid to speak -- but when she did, Rhonda Keith slapped her down for daring to do so. Rhonda has, once again, brought a whole new meaning to the phrase "ugly American".
I would like to point out to Meatbrain that Islam has nothing to do with "Terrifying Brown People." Wherever did you get that? Muslims come in all colors. Islam is a religion and a worldview and a political system or plan, all in one.
Rhonda you sound like a fat white hypocrite.
oh yes and you look like one as well.
o henry, you are sadly mistaken. I am a light-skinned person of mixed heritage.
The list of books bashing christianity is endless. And fyi, islam is the fastest grwing religion in the world! Do you really hink that the people convertng to islam would want to be part of a terrorist religion?? I think not. The ignorance of people like for instance rhonda, is what Gives americans a bad name. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.. is that too much to ask for?
The actions of people do not represent the any religion. If a man who happens to be Christian commits a crime.. is the whole religion of Christianity held accountable? NO. Why is this the case with Muslims? Learn about the religion and you will see why it is called the religion of peace. When the Prophet Muhammad had prisoners of war, he made sure they were treated fairly and nicely. Was that terrorism? NO. Islam means peace. If the religion was truly one of violence and hate, it would not be the fastest growing religion in the world.. it makes sense. And that book list, Rhonda, just reading the author of the first book makes me not take you seriously anymore. Nonie Darwish? Come on now.. trying to convert us out of Islam shows your own insecurities.
Rhonda, you have the right to your opinion , but before you generalized others , You should read the Holy Koran first , you seem predisposed to think that Ms Momitul Talukdar,did not read Holy Quran . How much do you know about the Multicultural Islam ( includes all races of all colors ) strecthing from Asia minor , Europ, SE Asia , Arabaian Penennsuala to Western Africa . And of course the religion takes it's own cultural roots in eac these geographic areas . A Bosnian or Turkish Muslism is much different than A Sudi Arabian Muslim and the list goes on.
Spend Your time uniting people not seperating
Continuation from earlier posting
Rhonda Plz read on
Taliban or Alquida is not much in terms of reprsenting a particular religion or race then lets say Cross hanging Klu Klus Klan , Right Wing Militias of the South or Neo Nazi's hidden amongst the white supremeist. They don't represent white Christian America -They are Extremists & bigots like Talibans .
Find the distinction and learn history and geo politics before Your Express your views in Public , otherwise don't spread ignorance & hate, it hurts others . This great America is not for your kind only , ask Native American Indians . He/she will tell You their views about American History .
I'm really, REALLY tired of hearing about how I should feel sorry for Muslims. Suck it up! If you aren't getting stoned, beheaded, raped and murdered in this country, its because its not a Muslim nation. Every country that is over 50% Muslim is a hell-hole, and you have nothing to blame but Islam.
I've been reading the Koran. Its sick stuff-
First you are NOT suffering in silence if you get to be in the paper.
There was a poster who asked why a muslim who commits a crime tarnishes the whole religion where a Christian person does not.
I'll tell you why because when a Christian commits a crime they are condemned for it. When a muslim commits a crime there is deafening silence or justification for it. Thats why.
muslim leaders in this country have still not denounced the 9/11 fascist thugs who killed over 3000 of our countrymen. Thats why.
Meatbrain, using your "logic", Jews were bigots for speaking out against Nazism. Islam allows lying, rape and what we would consider murder. Which is your favorite part?
Point out the major anti-Sharia movement in the West. Muslim immigration is the Trojan Horse to the West and it should be ended immediately.
To
To
Tony, iwantpeace, disgusted, and Henry, I have been studying Islam for about 8 years now and it is a religion of war and it is the anti-thesis to America. I challenge all four of you to debate me on Islam.
You can find me here.
Islam 101: The Religion of War
http ://loganswarning.com/2009/12/13/islam-101-the-religion-of-war/
The bottom line is that Islam oppresses non-Muslims across the world. Keep up the good work Rhonda!
Here is my email islaminaction08@yahoo.com
Continuation from earlier posting
Rhonda Plz read on
Taliban or Alquida is not much in terms of reprsenting a particular religion or race then lets say Cross hanging Klu Klus Klan , Right Wing Militias of the South or Neo Nazi's hidden amongst the white supremeist. They don't represent white Christian America -They are Extremists & bigots like Talibans .
Find the distinction and learn history and geo politics before Your Express your views in Public , otherwise don't spread ignorance & hate, it hurts others . This great America is not for your kind only , ask Native American Indians . He/she will tell You their views about American History .
Christopher
Part 1
Religion is Philosophy ,not culture, Your Expertise will not change History
And So Christians gave red roses to The Mayan and Aztecs of the South America in the Name of Christianity - entire human race almost was wiped out from thew continent. should we blame the Christian religion or the European Mercantile Greed ?
,
I guess Hitler & Nazi Germany was Christian too, may he best represent the Anglo Saxon Christian world ( is that fair assessment ???) , May be the Jewish Holocaust victims will be better judge on that issue
How about Vietnam War was it communism Vs Christian world , well ask a Vietnamese Peasant farmer, he will tell you
Lets not get into which religion is more oppressive it's matter of relative judgement .
It's the spirit of freedom and independence that makes one American , not partisan bigoted views after all You all were not the first in this continent , Native Americans can only knows it better
Christopher !
Part 2
Post war Europe Got out of the Religious bigotry & Extremism , it now follows rationalism , but not American it's still a very religious country with strong undertone of Right wing Christian philosophy , evangelism and what not
Most Americans never even heard of Islam till 911 tragedy, cause Islam was not controversial till then , they were buys fighting the Russians & communism in the guise of Mujaahidden helped by the CIA and Pakistan Intelligence (ISI). , later turned out to be the Frankenstein Taliban .
All these have nothing to do with Islam it's or any religion , it's the segment of people who follows particular religion and how they distort it and try to capitalize on public opinion for their won bigoted internal views
Part 3
Oh Chrstopher ,
Please Don't Forget Your History . European Renascence took place cause of Pan Islamic culture -devotion to Science and knowledge then , It was a combined efforts by Jews and Muslims to bring Knowledge To dark age Europe . Which is why U have algorithm Al chemistry , , Algebra Geometry , not to mention the first Concise Medical Encyclopedia given to The French By Moors Of Spain .
What it proves that It's the Multi Culture Pan Islamic world when Unified can contribute from it's vast resources . Jews and Muslims were Close friends then and shared knowledge, not anymore since the birth of Israel .
The Numeics you use in Latin and English is actually Arabic , wonder when and how it came about ? Read history
"I would like to point out to Meatbrain that Islam has nothing to do with "Terrifying Brown People." Wherever did you get that?"
Rhonda Keith has spoken out in favor of "mak[ing] some generalizations about people" in order to "predict any terrorist acts and prevent them". It's quite clear she was speaking of ethnic profiling.
Cindy claims that "muslim leaders in this country have still not denounced the 9/11 fascist thugs who killed over 3000 of our countrymen". Cindy is clearly either ignorant or lying. Like so many of her ilk, Cindy simply cannot be bothered to find and comprehend the facts.
bit.ly/crZZGd
bit.ly/7NwNGX
bit.ly/EWStI
Muslims can't agree on what Islam is-there are different interpretations. Many terrorists are radicalized from Wahabis. Islamists want to take over Muslim govts as well as western govts & have Sharia worldwide. Islam is not only a religion it is a political entity. No other religion controls a person's life as much as Islam. The Nigerian who tried to bomb the plane was radicalized in a London mosque. In Europe these extremists are protected. A reporter reported on preaching of hate & terrorism in a mosque. The Imman preaching terror did not get in trouble but the reporter who reported it got in trouble for inciting hate. Political correctness is protecting radicals who want to take down the government of England. Go to wikipedia dot com look up the word Islamist and look up the Muslim Brotherhood. People need to know about these groups & want they want. Govts like Saudi Arabia & Iran are spreading..now Nigeria, Sudan, etc. They are against democracy & pluralism. Look at Iran.
I highly recommend this book "Future Jihad" written by a Muslim man, Walid Phares. He also wrote "The War of Ideas" These books will make you really think about what is going on in the world today regarding terrorism, what it is, who are they, and what do they want, and what should we do about it.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!