Mosque uproar shows nation hasn’t healed yet

The controversy surrounding the planned New York City mosque illustrates that as a nation we have not healed from the wounds of 9/11. Those who perpetuate the stereotype that Islam was the cause for 9/11 are doing our nation a grave disservice. The terrorists not only murdered innocent people, they defiled a peaceful religion.

The terrorists murdered many Muslim Americans who worked at the World Trade Center. Ask Baraheen Asharafi, who was nine months pregnant when her husband was killed at the WTC. Consider Rahma Salie, her then-unborn child and her husband, Michael Theodoridis, who died on American Airlines flight No. 11. They and other Muslims were also victims of 9/11. The men who committed 9/11 were murdering terrorists, not true Muslims.

Suicide and mass murder is contrary to Islamic teaching. Imam Rauf of the proposed mosque who has been wrongfully called a terrorist-Nazi.

Porn shops, a strip club, gambling establishments and bars also are close to the WTC site. The irony is that having a strip club close is not offensive but building a mosque blocks away is viewed as insensitive.

While a small number of Muslims overseas support terrorism, equally as frightening are Christians who join violent groups like Christian Identity, militias and the Klux Klux Klan, whose memberships have increased since 9/11.

We cannot afford to embrace the bigotry and hatred being spewed by radical ministers and politicians. Let's tear down this wall of ignorance which divides us, as Americans.

Hamza Sharif Omar

Iowa City