Editor,
The attempt by some unknown individual or group to firebomb the Islamic Center of New Mexico this past Friday should serve as a wake-up call to members of our community that Islamophobia is a real phenomenon.
The Urban Dictionary defines Islamophobia as “thinking all Muslims are terrorists.” The way that some Americans are looking at law-abiding Muslim Americans is similar to the way that many Germans began to look at other Germans during the 1930s, simply because they followed the Jewish faith.
The Night of Broken Glass occurred in 1938 across Germany and Austria. A series of attacks were launched against Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues. Many Jewish houses of worship were burned to the ground and German society became divided between non-Jewish Germans and Jewish Germans. Are you starting to see the uncomfortable similarities between 1930s Germany and 2014 America?
At the end of the day, I have hope that enough people will make the right choice so that compassion will prevail over hate. Just like the vast majority of Muslims condemn and reject acts of terrorism, I don’t doubt that the vast majority of the non-Muslims in our community reject this failed attempt to firebomb the Islamic Center of New Mexico. I pray that we, as a community, never lose sight of our shared humanity.
Sincerely,
Muhajir Romero
Daily Lobo reader
