Letter to the editor: Muslim Bruins should be treated with respect
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 14, 2012 11:32 p.m.
This past Tuesday a photograph was posted on Facebook showing two signboards ““ the Muslim Student Association’s endorsement of Lana Habib El-Farra and Taylor Mason next to the Young Americans for Freedom at UCLA’s endorsement of Bruins United. Beneath the picture was a hurtful, bigoted caption stating, “I don’t know about you, but I’m voting for America.” It should be noted that this statement came from an individual and does not reflect the views of the Young Americans for Freedom or Bruins United. How is a Muslim American any less American than the individual who posted this picture on Facebook?
What does being “American” even mean if citizenship doesn’t suffice? In fact, we are all immigrants ““ unless you are a Native American, of course. How are Muslim immigrants different from Irish immigrants who came during the potato famine at the turn of the 20th century or Japanese immigrants?
The Facebook post is so absurd that it does not deserve a response to the allegation that the Muslim Student Association or any Muslim American does not stand for freedom. Doing so would be as equivalently ridiculous as President Barack Obama framing his birth certificate for public display as proof of his own citizenship. Instead this space will be utilized for a more productive use ““ namely, to briefly highlight a few Muslims who are not only American, but also contributors to American culture and heritage.
Malcolm X pushed for freedom and equality for African Americans. He is one of many American leaders who happen to be Muslim. Also on the list are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (also a UCLA Bruin), Muhammad Ali, Indiana Congressman Andre Carson, Lupe Fiasco, Dave Chappelle and Dr. Mehmet Oz. The point is, Muslims are diverse and have already contributed to the culture we identify as American. Therefore, we need to start seeing Muslims, including the Muslim students on our campus, as another piece of a colorful mosaic that we call America.
Reem Suleiman
Third-year, comparative literature and Arabic student
This letter is endorsed by: UCLA Muslim Student Association; Anh Nguyen, David Bocarsly, Yasar Mohebi, Sahil Seth, Kim Davis, Allyson Taylor, Carly Yoshida, Andrea Hester and Stephen Kraman of Bruins United; Lana Habib El-Farra and Taylor Mason
