American Muslims weigh in on Iraq conflict

By NORMAN SHOAF
Valley Press Religion Editor

Common themes? Criticism of the American attack and concern for the citizens of Iraq.

"As Muslims, we are against any civilian casualties on either side," said Suhel Qawasmeh of the Islamic Center of North Valley in Lancaster.

"We know Saddam Hussein is not good, but we would like to see him removed without the use of force. We are against war."

Qawasmeh said Muslims understand the seriousness of the evils the Iraqi strongman has perpetrated — but find the American position against Saddam ironic because this country is largely responsible for him being in power in the first place.

"We know Saddam Hussein killed his own people," Qawasmeh said. "He gassed Iranians in 1987. We should have got him at that time. We know he has weapons of mass destruction, because we gave them to him."

American Muslims also find curious the fact that the United States has selected Saddam for removal while ignoring other nations and political figures who might also be seen as terrorists or supporters of terrorism.

"Israel has nukes. Are we going to go after Ariel Sharon next time?" Qawasmeh said. "India and Pakistan have them, too.

"I would like it if we would go through the U.N.," Qawasmeh said, reiterating the desire of most American Muslims that the United States gain international unanimity rather than initiating an attack on its own.

On Wednesday, several of the United States' largest Islamic organizations outlined their view of the war on Iraq in a joint statement signed by the Muslim American Society, the Islamic Society of North America, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Islamic Association of Palestine, and the United Association for Studies and Research.

"We receive with sadness the news of the invasion of Iraq," the statement said. "We reiterate our position, and that of the great majority of religious leaders and the international community, that this invasion is not justified and is not in the interest of the United States and world peace, security and the rule of law.

"We ask the American administration, the U.S. Congress and all peace-loving people to do all they can to end this violence and minimize human suffering.

"We express our grave concern about the expected fallout of this invasion, especially the loss of human life on all sides, the destruction of the infrastructure of Iraq and chaos and instability in the country," the statement said.

"We exhort all our fellow Americans, regardless of their position, to express their views vigorously but peacefully and lawfully."

The joint statement also expressed concerns about American Muslims being victimized by potential hate crimes inspired by the U.S. war against Iraq:

"We call on law enforcement authorities to take all possible measures to prevent and discourage hate crimes and hate speech and to protect people's First Amendment right to dissent," the joint statement concluded.

In January, the American Muslim Alliance, American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations and Muslim Public Affairs Council jointly urged Saddam Hussein to resign and President George W. Bush to bar military action that would, the groups said, destabilize the region, build support for terrorism, fuel anti-Americanism, endanger soldiers "for no convincing reason" and cost "many innocent Iraqi lives."

© 2008 Antelope Valley Press, Palmdale, California (661) 273-2700