Hello. So I have decided to stray a little from my normal focus of Tibetan issues because I have recently been appalled with the discussion of the new mosque in New York. I first want to say I think it is horrific that we a nation of freedom and liberty would even take to the conversation about not permitting the mosque to be built-in Manhattan.
First it is in my opinion that the hate and prejudice in America against religious groups needs to stop. Tolerance of difference needs to be taught more in our society. I understand the hurt and pain of those who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy but at the same time we must not make every person of the Muslim faith to be associated with those who chose the path of violence. I can only imagine the deep feelings of sadness the Muslim -American community is feeling and the disappointment of those who associated themselves with their faith. In every faith there are people who do not practice the beliefs accordingly and tend to not represent the group as a whole. This we must learn to discern and distinguish the difference.
It is because of a personal experience in India that I share this with you.
Nearly every Muslim I met and had conversation with was compelled to tell me that their faith is not represented by the radicals. The message felt as though the people are desperate to preserve their beliefs yet how can they separate from those who damage the name in which they give their spirit. This is perplexing and there are many incidences in our society where we can look at similarities.
This week I commented on a post of NPR with regards to the issues of the mosque. There was a wonderful posting by a Muslim woman who I commented to for her courage and strength to speak out. This is her reply to me:
“I can’t tell you how touched I was by your message. It lets me know that there are fellow citizens who care and that I and other Muslim- Americans are not in this alone. If there is anything that I have learned from current times, my readings, my education as a counselor, but more importantly my religion, it is this: that we all (and i include the Muslim- American community) must learn to speak out against any injustice anywhere towards anyone in this world.
Your message gives me hope that I am not alone with this belief.
Just as it is important for me and other Muslim-Americans to speak up, please know that we consider our fellow Americans speaking up to be just as necessary in these times. .
Once again thanks so much.
I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂 ”
I share this message with you because I feel it is a critical time to speak against the hate in our society and to spread the message of love and tolerance. Please join in building our world to be a place of tolerance and acceptance for difference. Let’s build bridges between the differences as opposed to barriers. Let’s make the world nonviolent with our actions and our words.
Thanks for the consideration.
Kind regards,
Leann Halsey
India-Tibetan Social Work 