Of course you are, Irfan. But it’s too bad that no one at this little seminar is likely to know the right questions to ask: not “Is it rude to shake your wife’s hand?” but “What do you think of Sharia? Do you think that if the Muslim population grows to a majority or a sizable minority in the U.S., that Islamic law should supplant the Constitution? What do you think of Qur’an 9:29 and Sahih Muslim 4294, among many other passages of Qur’an and Hadith?” Etc.
From “Raising Awareness,” the Corning Leader, with thanks to EPG:
BATH | They’re professionals, entrepreneurs, employees and neighbors. They raise their children, honor the American flag and believe God is great and Mohammed is his prophet.
“We’re not terrorists,” said Irfan Mehr, a Hornell pharmacist. A native of Pakistan, Mehr has lived in Steuben County for decades. “We are people, just like everyone else.”
Mehr and other local Islamic leaders will bring that message to county employees Wednesday in a workshop designed to stimulate questions and build understanding of Muslims and their culture.
“I anticipate a lot of questions to begin with. That’s what we’re hoping for,” said workshop sponsor, county Legislator Kenneth Isaman, R-Hornellsville. “I’ve gone to a number of Islamic functions, social, religious. And yet there are questions I’ve hesitated to ask – for, I don’t know, fearing of offending them somehow, I suppose. Like, is it rude to shake your wife’s hand? … Or what is the difference between Sunnis and Shiites?”…
“We don’t advocate violence,” Mehr said. “I say that again, we are not terrorists.”
Isaman said the expected turnout for Wednesday’s workshops is already well beyond his expectations.
The original plan was for a single, morning meeting between Muslim leaders and interested county employees and officials.
Since then, other workshops have been scheduled to accommodate the number of officials and employees from the county Public Works, Social Services and Public Health departments, the Health Care Facility,Treasurer’s Office and other county agencies.
Other meetings are likely to follow.
“I can only see this expanding,”Isaman said. “I’d like to see towns, town officials get involved in this. We need to be aware of Muslims’ customs, respect them. They are integral members of our community. We should treat them that way.”