POLL POINTERS

Hasan Zillur Rahim

A new CBS News poll conducted during April 6-9 suggests that 45% of
Americans hold a negative view of Islam, compared to 33% in the tense
aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. This is consistent with a Washington Post-ABC
News poll earlier in March that also showed a growing number of Americans
(46%) expressing unfavorable opinion on Islam.

(The situation has become so bleak that Muslim religious leaders sought the
help of a Nobel Laureate to stem this rising tide of negativity. On April 14
and 15, the Dalai Lama, 71, led leaders from Buddhism, Christianity,
Judaism, Islam and Native American traditions at “A Gathering of Hearts
Illuminating Compassion” conference in San Francisco to seek commonality
with Islam and to appeal to people around the world not to equate the
religion with terrorism. Hamza Yusuf, founder of the Zaytuna Institute
( http://www.zaytuna.org ), explained the wisdom of the Dalai Lama’s leadership this
way: “Buddhism gets the best press of any religion in the world. Islam gets
the worst press because it’s associated with war and belligerence.”)

What makes the opinion polls so scary is that those queried confirmed that
they were better informed about Islam now than they were five years ago.

In other words, all the mosque open houses and outreach and interfaith
programs, as well as the hundreds of books and articles published on Islam,
since that fateful September day has succeeded in accomplishing one of two
goals: Americans have indeed become more educated on the fundamentals of our
faith, the role they play in shaping our lives, our hunger for peace and
justice and our desire to build bridges between all creeds.

But the other goal - that increased knowledge will inevitably lead to
greater tolerance of Islam – has become more elusive.

Is there a contradiction here?

Not really, if one thinks about it.

Let’s consider the situation from the point of view of an average American.

During last week alone (a remarkable convergence of Milad un-Nabi, Passover
and Easter), he learned that Zacarias Moussaoui, the al-Qaida terrorist, had
“no regrets, no remorse” for the nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11,
2001.

Certainly this crazed fanatic does not represent you and me but against the
chilling last words of the homicidal maniacs of United Airlines Flight 93
(Shall we put it down? Yes, put it down!) in a Virginia courtroom, his
ranting can only inspire ill-will toward Islam and Muslims.

What about the consistent horror of Sunnis and Shias dismembering each other
in Iraq and Pakistan, always when the gathering is large, as during the
Friday congregational prayers and on special religious occasions, such as
the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday?

Let us also not overlook the daily genocide that the Muslim Janjaweed
militia wages against the indigenous tribes of Darfur, Sudan, all of whom
are also Muslims but of darker skins and considerably poorer.

Yes, most Muslims are as outraged by these horrors as the average American
in question, but isn’t it too much to expect that he will continue to be
pacified by our words (the fanatics are not of us and we are not of them,
and besides, there are fanatics in every faith) while the horrific deeds
continue unabated?

He sees what Muslims are doing to Muslims and how some of them are spewing
murderous hatred for the West, and while he may hold his country responsible
for the mess in Iraq, it does not diminish his growing conviction that
Muslims are disproportionately prone to violence. There is just so much talk
he can take; what he is more persuaded by is the grim reality on the ground,
and that is not pretty!

In the same week, however, quiet (and recurring) “events” of different sorts
were taking place throughout America, far removed from media focus.

In a crime-infested neighborhood in East Oakland, California, two Muslims
stand at a street corner, giving out free popcorn and cotton candies to
passersby. Their only goal is to spread some cheer and hope and a little
light to drive away the existential darkness of their neighbors. When it
gets cold, they and their friends from the nearby mosque serve hot meals to
the poor. They have been doing it for two years now and with the help of
other Muslims are planning to extend their services to similar bleak areas
in Oakland.

We also learn that Habibe Husain, founder of Rahima Foundation
(http://www.rahima.org),  has received the Human Relations award of California’s
Santa Clara County. Her organization has been helping the less fortunate
residents of Silicon Valley and adjoining areas since 1993. Distributing
warm clothes and food and other basic necessities of life to the poor is a
year-round activity for this tireless Muslim visionary.

In the impoverished areas of such cities as New York, Philadeplhia, Chicago,
Detroit, Tampa Bay and Atlanta, local Muslim doctors serve sick and
uninsured Americans with free medical care. And through such organizations
as Habitat for Humanity, Muslims also volunteer their time and skills to
build homes for the homeless and the disenfranchised.

Is our average American aware of these “events?” Perhaps not, and there is
no requirement that he has to be, unless he is personally affected. After
all, those providing such services are doing it not to enhance Muslim
standing in the polls but to please the Creator and, as a religious calling,
to help those toward whom society has turned a blind eye.

But they do teach us an important lesson. While it is undeniable that there
is a need to educate Americans about Islam and Muslims, perhaps our efforts
will go further if more of us engaged in deeds rather than words.

Most of our mosques are heavy on seminars and conferences but after several
years, these “learning experiences” have turned into a case of preaching to
the converted.

Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, a single act of charity is
worth a thousand sermons. So here’s a humble suggestion. Let’s cut down on
the number of seminars and conferences at our local mosques by about 50
percent and replace them with charitable acts that benefit the homeless, the
needy and the destitute where we live. It will require more effort than
writing a check or listening to an Imam expound on the same tired topic but
in the end it will make us better Muslims and who knows, perhaps even
improve our standing in the polls.