Don’t you hate being stuck in the airport? I sure do. Layovers are the worst. There’s something about overpriced food, constant announcements, weak wi-fi connections, and humanity’s universal inability to understand the etiquette of the moving sidewalk that is maddening.
Most of us can relate to the frustrations of a 10-hour layover, but few know what it’s like to be held at the airport against their will. This afternoon I got a call about a Muslim friend who was detained at the airport for over 10 hours. Sadly, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about things like this from my Muslim friends.
Since airport security has been compromised before, I suppose I understand why the TSA has to be careful. To some degree it’s necessary, but they often go overboard. I hate the fact that my friends get treated like that.
Imagine if you were in a foreign country. Speaking the language and navigating the complicated layout of the airport is challenging enough. Then imagine if you were taken into custody by security and grilled with questions for hours upon hours. You might start to feel like you don’t belong in the country. You might start to feel like you are not welcome.
Honestly, I have no idea how to change things at the airport. But I’m certain that extending love and hospitality to our Muslim neighbors can speak louder than the message sent by the TSA. The American experience should include being captivated by conversations with friends rather than being held captive by strangers. Maybe we can’t change TSA policies, but we can put on a pot of coffee.
The Islamic Center of San Diego has long been more than a mosque to me, many of us at Peace Catalyst and the whole community. It has been a place of friendship, learning, hospitality, and our shared work for peace. Imam Taha and the community there have welcomed us for years as partners in interfaith dialogue, justice, and care for our city. For me personally, it is a place tied to close relationships and memories that have shaped my understanding of love, faith, and neighborliness.
Emotions run high and reasonable discourse runs low when the subjects of the travel ban or immigration come up. But whether you protest or praise particular policies, one thing is undebatable: both Muslims and Mexicans/Latinos face blatant discrimination in Trump’s America. Why is this the case, and how should Republican and Democrat followers of Jesus respond?
At one point during the 3-hour protest, I was able to have some reasonable conversation with one angry man who was about 40 years old. His shirt said, “Jesus says you must be born again” and he wore a black beret to shield his face from the sun. As I looked into his calm blue eyes I thought, ”He looks so normal.”
With fortitude, the Muslims and all those outside of Masjid Omar Ibn al-Kuttab in Ohio practiced great restraint in the face of incredible offense. A leader of the mosque had informed friends of Peace Catalyst earlier in the morning that a hate group was planning to arrive during Friday Prayers.
This is the question one couple asked Peace Catalyst's Kelly Perry before a recent Peace Feast in San Diego. It may be a question this particular couple asked, but it's definitely a sentiment that many people have when attending Peace Feasts or other Peace Catalyst events that involve meeting or interacting with Muslims for the first time.
The latest edition of Fuller Seminary's online Journal, all about Evangelicals and Islamophobia, features a variety of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish voices. Browse the Journal to read articles from Rick Love, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, and others, and leave your comments to let us know what you think!
Creating a culture of widespread distrust and fear of an entire group is a technique that has been used preceding mass violence throughout history. As followers of Jesus, what are we to do?
What pops into the mind of the average American if you ask him or her about Muslims? Most would say something like this: “Muslims are terrorists,” “I'm afraid of Muslims; they want to take over our country,” or “I'm suspicious of Muslims.”
The world is seemingly becoming overrun with hate and violence. We hear about yet another shooting practically daily, and almost any kind of disgruntlement or difference of opinion seems to be grounds for violence. But as we are so inundated with horror story after horror story, we’d like to bring you news of a story that turned out very differently. A story of how love can change the ending and win the day over hate and violence. A story that gives us hope that there is still something stronger in this world than fear and hatred.
“I hate Muslims.” As a simple conversational opener after church, Bob introduced himself, letting us know where he stood on the Muslim/Christian debate. Awkward conversation and strained parting smiles left us each to head home after the service. “How ‘bout that Bob? Think we'll avoid him in the future... wow." But then something happened that we never would have expected...