You People Disgust Me: A Response to the Societal Treatment of Islamic Peoples

"Feed the hungry and visit a sick person, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim." ~Prophet Muhammad

Firstly, we are all familiar with the topic that is currently getting the most news coverage, the controversial community centre mosque which is to be built three New York City blocks away from the site of the World Trade Centers 1 and 2, also known as the "Twin Towers". Further, we are familiar with the events that took place on September 11, 2001 which surely will never be forgotten. In fact, it's this precise world tragedy that is the cause of the controversy over a mosque being built in the proximity of the former World Trade Centers site. I understand the anger many Americans feel with regards to the building of the mosque so close to what was the site of the attack against all humanity.

However, America is still the land of the free whether in theory or in practice. After careful consideration of the American constitution I have found along with many others that it indeed is fully constitutional for the mosque to be built in the decided area. What's unconstitutional are the attempts to block the building of the mosque on the basis of historical religious actions. It is fully documented of course that Islam was founded on the sword and that after gaining area they would build a new mosque, often on sacred religious sites of the peoples whose land they have seized. This brings a certain question to mind, "Can we really hold accountable people who were not present nor actively participated in these events that happened centuries ago?" Should one respond in the affirmative, then that is akin to discriminating against the German people today for the actions of specific Germans in World War II. It is important to note that not all the German people supported the actions of Nazis during World War II, just as many Islamic people do not support and in fact denounce the actions of Al-Qaeda today.

All these things considered, the mosque indeed should be allowed to be built. Allowing the mosque to built even if the Imam and co. intend for ill intent doesn't change the facts. The many people who died on September 11, 2001 do not remain on that very spot forever trapped. No, truly they live on in our hearts and minds, in every action we do and every smile we give there these people can be found. Even if the mosque was to be built directly on the site of the former towers it does not change the fact that the mosque can't be built in our hearts. We do not lose the battle by allowing the mosque to built. Instead, we win the war.

In other news that has been seldom acknowledged, there has been massive flooding in Pakistan which is a predominately Islamic country. There are Christians and Atheists living therein as well. Aside from there seldom being any news coverage in the West, many who do know about the flooding are against sending relief there; in stark contrast to the universal outpouring of relief into Haiti. It is the belief of many people that anyone of Islamic belief should simply be killed outright and this includes both women and children. We blame the actions of a few on a whole people! This is similar to the mentality causing the methodical extermination of those of Jewish persuasion during World War II after they were deemed responsible for the burning down of the German parliament. It sickens me that each new generation of the world creates some reason to exterminate or discriminate against entire races of people. Each new generation has its own genocide because we still have not realised that on the inside we're all the same.

All I ask is that we walk the walk and not just talk. Open your eyes and realise that the only way we can overcome our own collective stupidity is be collectively learning to forgive ourselves and each other. Few people, for example, desire their loved ones to be given to hate after their passing but how many of us honour these dying wishes? Do you think Peter and Sue Hanson who were on Flight 11 which flew into the North Tower, and who were taking their three year old daughter Christine on her first plane ride; do you really think they world have wanted their daughter grow up in a world so filled with hate if they had the the chance? Do you think any parent wills that for their child, or shows that the only way peace can be achieved is by killing each other? No, of course not! So instead of saying that tomorrow will be better, let's make it better so that our children and grandchildren won't look back upon us with shame, but with honour beaming in their hearts!

Don't the children deserve a fighting chance?

Seal Hunting Should Not Be Banned Outright

Now, before you rush to conclusions about what I propose, hear me out. To be specific, I do think that the annual seal hunt should be done away with but I also believe that the Inuit should have full rights to continue their tradition.

Recently, I watched a documentary on the Arctic which features and Inuit man in Greenland humanely shooting an adult seal. He then prepared the seal, using each and every part/ For example, since the Inuit also require vitamins and minerals which can't be gathered by vegetables and fruits, they instead eat the parts of the seal which most Westerners may find repulsive. This includes the liver, stomach, eyes and bones.

In comparision, the "white men" of Canada employ during the seal hunt each year, bats and paddles which are used to beat to death baby seals. These baby seals are then skinned and the carcass is often left to rot on the ice. The furs are then traded for money which is used to buy processed foods and alcohol.

The excuse for the annual seal hunt is that there are so many seals that they're eating all the fish. Now, there are a lot of jokes about reneck inteligence but such a reason is downright ignorant! If one simply glanced at the facts and numbers it becomes very clear that overfishing has been caused by man, and not seal. It's just one more excuse -of many- to be greedy.

So in conclusion, certainly the annual seal hunt in Canada should be banned. However, the inuit should maintain full rights to the killing of seals for their livelyhood.