“The most important turning point is getting to know people who are Muslim. They’re people, they have a way of life, they have a way of life that is valid and really very beautiful.”
Yes, many are lovely people. The problem with events such as this one, however, is that it aids and abets ongoing efforts to stigmatize all honest discussion of how jihadis use the texts and teachings of Islam to justify violence and supremacism as victimization of Muslims, and to silence it on that basis. Take, for example, “Matt Korn, organizer of the Support Our Muslim Neighbors event,” who “said he was moved by the kindness and support Nueces Mosque imam Shaykh Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail displayed for the LGBT community of Austin following the Pulse nightclub shooting, so he moved quickly to organize a solidarity event in return.” That’s great, but Matt Korn would doubtless never dream of being so discourteous as to ask Shaykh Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail what could or should be done about the systematic violence against gays in Sharia states. Would Shaykh Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail’s counterparts in Saudi Arabia or Iran be so kind to the LGBT community? Why not?
“I stand with Islam!,” reads one sign that a smiling young lady is holding. But does Islam stand with her? She is probably not Muslim, her hair is uncovered — how would she fare in a state that implemented Islamic law?
“Nueces Mosque hosts Muslim solidarity demonstration,” by JT Lindsey, Daily Texan, November 21, 2016:
Austinites of many religions and ethnicities lined Nueces Street in West Campus on Friday, displaying messages of love and solidarity for the Muslim community.
More than 100 people attended, many carrying signs with messages of support such as “Strength and beauty in diversity,” “Our Muslim neighbors enrich our community” and “United Against Islamophobia.” Those in attendance wore green, the color of Islam, and shared encouraging words in an attempt to ease the anxiety of some local Muslims following Donald Trump’s election.
Matt Korn, organizer of the Support Our Muslim Neighbors event, said he was moved by the kindness and support Nueces Mosque imam Shaykh Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail displayed for the LGBT community of Austin following the Pulse nightclub shooting, so he moved quickly to organize a solidarity event in return.
“He wanted to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community,” Korn said. “After the election, we decided we wanted to show that solidarity and support back.”…
Kevin Butts, Middle Eastern studies graduate student and a convert to Islam, said face-to-face interactions such as Friday’s event can help educate those that still harbor hate or fear towards Muslims.
“The most important turning point is getting to know people who are Muslim,” Butts said. “They’re people, they have a way of life, they have a way of life that is valid and really very beautiful.”