Muslims Remove from US Airways Flight 300

Published in Oshkosh NorthWestern - Dec-6-2006

The news about the behavior of some of our small minded countrymen on US Airways flight 300 ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15824096/) prompted me to write this letter. If educated people like Airline Captains can act like narrow minded bigots and the Airline Executives lack the decency and assertiveness to apologize for the obvious disregard for civil rights – then we have a long way to go as a nation. This also suggests that we as Muslims need to do more in terms of educating our fellow citizens.

Muslims are required to pray five times a day. We are strongly encouraged to say our prayers in congregation. In that setting one person leads the prayer and others stand behind him. During these prayers, the leader recites some Arabic verses from the Quran so that the followers may be able to listen. An often stereo typed phrase of "Allah Akbar" is said several times during the prayer and it means that the God is great. When this is said we are referring to the God of Abraham.

So next time when you see some people who gather, face north-east, and offer prayers – just know that they are praising the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. When they say "Allah Akbar" do not panic; they just affirmed the belief of the Biblical prophets. Take that as an opportunity to learn about the faith that is practiced by more than one fifth of the planet. Prayer is meant for God and to bring His people together – not to create such a bitter divide. I would also encourage the local Muslims to arrange seminars to improve the understanding of Islam. May God improve our mutual understanding - Amen.

More information about Islam may be found at http://www.alislam.org or contact me at saad.ahmad@gmail.com