Letter to the Editor: Anti-Islam Online Comments an Affront to CUA Students
Olivia Hurwitz, Class of 2013
October 28, 2011
Filed under Quill
To the Editor:
I must say I was thoroughly disturbed by many of the internet comments on the article “University Accused of Discriminating against Muslims” (from the 10/21/11 issue—the comments can be found on cuatower.com). I was shocked to find so many posts with so much animosity. I feel compelled to respond to several highly anti-Muslim/anti-Islam comments that appeared on the Tower’s website.
First, it is important to note that this issue is being raised by Banzhaf himself and not necessarily by the Muslim students who chose to attend the university. But if there are students who feel discriminated against, we should not dismiss their complaints. True, this is a private, Catholic university, and each student freely chooses to attend, fully knowing that its Catholic affiliation will affect certain policies and privileges in a way it wouldn’t at other universities. But if members of our student body feel unwelcome or estranged, it is our duty to respond to that concern. It is possible to do so without necessarily compromising our Catholic identity. If they still take issue, perhaps they should not attend a Catholic university; they have the freedom to do so. But simply telling them to “go back to Iran” is inappropriate.
Further, we cannot expect Muslims in America, or Muslims who choose to attend this university, to “assimilate” to our society. Would we suggest that non-Muslims persecuted in the Middle East should assimilate to the societies in which they live? Of course not. While it is not unreasonable to expect some level of integration, we must not mandate others to forego their very identities in order to “fit in.”
Second, it is unfair to justify any sort of anti-Muslim discrimination by comparing it to the oppression of Christians and Jews in the Middle East. The plight of non-Muslims in Middle Eastern countries is horrific and inexcusable, but that does not give any of us the right to inflict pain (however slight by comparison) upon Muslims here in the US.
Finally, and this is the most important to remember, particularly if we call ourselves Catholics: we cannot attribute the bastardization of religion implemented by terrorist fringe groups to all of Islam. It is true that much violence, destruction, persecution, and oppression have come from Islamic groups throughout history. But have not the same crimes been perpetrated in the name of Catholicism? “Bloody Mary” isn’t just the name of a cocktail. It is incorrect and ignorant to judge all Muslims by the actions of these fringe groups, and more so to condemn the Islamic religion itself. Any place we find truth, we can find God. Anyone who has read the Qur’an will recognize there is truth in it, even if there are many points with which we disagree.
We should recognize the horrors suffered by our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters at the hands of extremist groups and governments. We should cry out against such violence. We should cry out in solidarity.
At the same time, we should recognize the hardships experienced by our Muslim brothers and sisters at our own hands. Against these too, we should cry out. We, as students of The Catholic University of America, should not accept such comments as were found on the Tower website this week.
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You might want to consider that many people commenting are parents who are paying the tuition for their child to attend a Catholic University. Many parents support their kids attending this very costly university because it is true to its Catholic identity.
It is not hate speech to assert an opinion that a Catholic University should not even consider providing prayer space free of Catholic symbols to Muslims attending the university. It is not hate speech to outline the reasons why.
While there are some crass and ad hominem attacks in the comments, you really should read them thoroughly and thoughtfully- as many of those commenting have put a lot of research into this subject. The fact is that we are on a collision course with Islam. And terrorism is not just a fringe aspect of the religion: violence is embedded in their Scripture. And the Muslim doctrine of taquiyah advocates lying and misleading infidels to advance the cause of Islam.
We can look to Europe for an example. Cameron (Britain), Merkel (Germany) and Sarkozky (France) have all stated in no uncertain terms that multiculturalism has not worked in their countries – precisely because Muslims do not immigrate to assimilate but to build the infrastructure they will need to see Shariah Law realized here in the US.
Here in the US, we have seen wives and teenage daughters killed by male relatives for violating Shariah Law. We have seen attacks on our military bases.
And in a small way, we see this constant push for concessions: footbaths at airports, special prayer room at a Catholic university and so on. This is the pattern. And once the concession is made, there will be more demanded.
Perhaps the worst outcome of this passive aggression is the faction of our population that demands tolerance for Muslims but silencing of those who have studied history and the current worldwide situation – where ever country occupied by Muslims is characterized by violence, mayhem, chaos, repression and slavery.
This does not mean I or anyone who suggests caution are bigots (in fact, I have an adopted son with Down syndrome who is Iranian). It means we are concerned that our characteristic American generosity and wanting to think the best of everyone will end making us unnecessarily vulnerable – as witness the many attacks on our military from within.
What always strikes me as curious is that those who plead emotionally for “acceptance” are quick to suggest shutting down free speech.
Finally, this isn’t a question of acceptance. Muslim students have been accepted. I understand there are some 120+ there on campy. If that isn’t acceptance, I don’t know what is. But a Catholic institution should not have to erase any part of its Catholic identity, traditions (crucifix in every room), traditions or habits because they feel “uncomfortable.” That should have been taken into account before they applied.
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Liutas Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Barbara Curtis, You have hit the ball out of the park with your comments! You are 100% correct. I hope everyone reads your very wise words and understands that we MUST STAND UNITED AND WE MUST STAND FIRM AGAINST THE ISLAMIZATION OF OUR SOCIETY.
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icefalcon Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
@Barbara Curtis, you are so right.
It’s also interesting that there’s Muslim insistence on even MORE concessions at many Catholic schools when there’s already a lot of so-called “outreach.” This has been going on at the high school level for years.
My son’s 11th grade theology text, “Catholic Social Teaching” (Michael Pennock) is a case in point. The section on the War on terror goes on for 1 and 1/2 pages–complete with a photo of the smoking WTC–without ONCE mentioning Islam, Muslims, jihad, al-Qaeda or bin Ladin. Do you know who caused the “events” of that day? “Fanatical extremists.” (Which is redundant, but anyway.)
Texts that specifically address Islam as one of the Abrahamic religions mention NOTHING at all controversial or problematic (ie, Mohammad’s child bride Aisha, whose legacy lives on in Islamic republics which legally allow 6 year old girls to be married off to middle-aged men because “the Prophet did so himself.”). Yet chapters on the history of Christianity are quick to shine a harsh light on anything even slightly unflattering to Catholicism.
Why not similarly brutally honest treatment of Islam?
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Jerry Hoffman Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Olivia: nice column. Stick to your guns, girl. I have coworkers and friends who are Muslim and not a single one of them has ever behaved in a way that these comments describe.
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I agree with the author. Many comments left by the people of whom she speaks displayed disgusting and pathetic behavior, unfit for even the most unholy of environments, never mind our school The Catholic University of America.
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@Dominick Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
You don’t like the way the messages are being conveyed but don’t let that distract you from what is being said.
It’s great that you have high standards for discourse but please take some time to understand just what is at stake for you and your friends and for generations to come.
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Dom Healey Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@@Dominick, I understand completely what is at sake. In a few year I will likely be getting shot at by extremist Muslims in Afghanistan or in the worst case scenario, Iran. Extreme Islamism is a danger that is significantly more dangerous and real to myself than to 99% of Americans who aren’t in the Armed Forces. I am willing to take that risk to maintain the United States as a safe haven of freedom especially for the people of the Middle East we are trying to liberate from the hate and violence of the limited extremist actions undertaken therein. Considering that (1) the lawsuit was initiated by Banzhaf and not Muslim CUA students and (2) the request is for one classroom with prayer rugs, I would venture to say that it isn’t indicative of a Muslim take-over of Catholic culture and such poor behavior is not permitted in response to it.
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Miss Wonderly Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Dom Healey,
Thank you for the brave and admirable service you are prepared to undertake for your country and your fellow man. It makes me proud and grateful that someone of your caliber is willing to risk his life to do the right thing. Your logic is as sound as your character: both the points you made are spot on. I’m glad you’re a fellow student at CUA and a future defender of our country.
John M Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
@Dom Healey,
Dom, thanks for your brave service and it is really appreciated. I am also a student at CUA, and have to disagree with you about Islam. An “extremist Muslim” is redundant. Not all religions are the same and worthy of equal respect. You’ll soon find this out when you are stationed abroad. Giving an inch to Islam at CUA would be taken as a sign of extreme weakness. As far as the comments go, I find nothing wrong with them. The truth can be hurt sometimes, and the truth is that Islam is not a peaceful religion.
“Liberating” the Middle East was a big mistake, and we have seen this in Iraq, which is about to become a client state of Iran. Give Muslims democracy, what happens? Tunisia, the formerly most Western of Muslim societies, has just voted in an extremist Muslim government. Libya is now far worse than it was under Qaddafi, and the “rebels” have instituted Sharia Law. I studied Roman Art and Architecture last semester, and hope nothing happens to Lepta Magna, when these “democratic” Muslims decide to blow up symbols of our past heritage, as they did in Afghanistan. Egypt is going the same route with increased “democracy.” Gaza voted in the terrorist group Hamas, the same group that killed over 300 of our Marines in the 1980s. Don’t trust the PC lie that Islam is a “religion of peace.” Not content with driving persecuting Christians and Jews in their own countries, they have come here to conquer.
Giving the Muslims a room with prayer mats and taking down the crucifix would be a sign of grave weakness and would only result in further concessions. It is time to defend our Western and Catholic heritage.
Jerry Hoffman Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@Dominick Healey, thank you. It’s good to hear from the students who don’t want to get on the Muslim-bashing bandwagon.
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Drakken Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@Dominick Healey,
When you finally put on that uniform and actually go overseas and see for yourself versus your wishfull thinking you will have a very different worldview called reality. I am really astounded at your naivete, PC/MC thought process and downright wrong assumptions. I have been in the middle and far east for over 20 years and islam is going to have a showndown with the west sooner rather than later. It is going to be brutal and very bloody and will make the last Crusades look like a walk in the park by comparison. It will start in Europe and move like a wildfire from there. The Balkans are a harbinger to come.
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“Further, we cannot expect Muslims in America, or Muslims who choose to attend this university, to “assimilate” to our society.”
I’m speechless.
I hope you’re very alone on campus in your understanding of assimilation or we are doomed… as in kiss Catholic University and our great country good-bye.
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“The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.”–Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions)
Those who are responsible for the reprehensible and ignorant comments made about Muslims on this site may think that they are acting and speaking as faithful Catholics, but they are very, very wrong. I congratulate my good friend Olivia for standing up for true Catholic values.
By the way, if in fact there is a culture war in our society, devout American Muslims are on the same side as devout American Catholics. I don’t know why more people don’t see that.
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@Mickey Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
That is called appeasement but it’s not working.
Look all over the world. We even have a new country since those words were written – the Republic of South Sudan, formed essentially out of survival for Christians undergoing genocide at the hands of Islamists.
Recently, Pope Benedict spoke at the Assisi Pilgrimage. He addressed current events:
“Let us try to identify the new faces of violence and discord more closely. It seems to me that, in broad strokes, we may distinguish two types of the new forms of violence, which are the very antithesis of each other in terms of their motivation and manifest a number of differences in detail. Firstly there is terrorism, for which in place of a great war there are targeted attacks intended to strike the opponent destructively at key points, with no regard for the lives of innocent human beings, who are cruelly killed or wounded in the process. In the eyes of the perpetrators, the overriding goal of damage to the enemy justifies any form of cruelty. Everything that had been commonly recognized and sanctioned in international law as the limit of violence is overruled. We know that terrorism is often religiously motivated and that the specifically religious character of the attacks is proposed as a justification for the reckless cruelty that considers itself entitled to discard the rules of morality for the sake of the intended “good”. In this case, religion does not serve peace, but is used as justification for violence.
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Mickey Jackson Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@@Mickey, Notably, there were Muslims present at that very event to which you are referring. Clearly our Holy Father understands the distinction between Islam as it is practiced by the vast majority of its adherents and the perversion of Islam that is used to justify acts of terrorism. The people commenting on these articles would do well to pay attention to him and follow his example.
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@Mickey Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Yes. There were Muslims present. In his address,our Pope also acknowledged with great shame acts of violence committed in the name of Christianity throughout history, which he also acknowledged contradicts the true nature of Christianity. Where is that from Muslim leaders? Where is the call for reform or purification to remove the mandates for violence contained in their doctrine? You bring up such a good point for discussion: What is the true nature of Islam? I find it telling that when you look at the most devout followers of Christianity we see our saints. When you look at the most devout followers of Islam we see terrorists killing in the name of their religion shouting, “Allahu Akbar.”
@Mickey Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
btw… I do not think that reform is possible. First of all, reformists get killed. Second, well… read the Koran, Hadiths, life of Mohammed
Usman Ahmad Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@Mickey Jackson,
This is a beautiful comment, there should be more people like you.
Like Christanity, Islam has their have problem followers. That does not mean Islam is bad. If you read the Koran in earnest you can find out for yourself
May God bless you
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Drakken Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@Mickey Jackson,
Let me break it down and make it so simple that you can understand it, The most devote of Catholics will not enslave, make you a dhimmi, nor cut your head off. The most devoted of the islamaniacs will, see the difference now? There is no moral equivlance between the two. All cutures are not equal and never has been no matter what your PC/MC prof and teachers tell you.
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Olivia, I think you’re misunderstanding what assimilation is. Not getting special treatment and special accommodations is not the same as a denial of freedom. As a pontifical university CUA is under the direct authority of the Vatican – I shouldn’t have to remind you of that. If you were to knock on the door of any of the mosques in the DC metro and demanded rosary beads so that you could pray for the intercession of Mary you would be laughed at. And you should be. If you were to barge in with a shofar and assert your right to hold Yom Kippur services there you’d be rightly met with resistance. Demanding that other religions give you special treatment isn’t defending your right to religious freedom, it’s an attempt to deny them of theirs.
Multiculturalism is a fallacy. It has never worked anywhere and it will never work. It can lead only to violence, bigotry, hatred, and persecution. The reason this country is the greatest the world has ever seen is that we are not a nation of ethnicity but rather a people bounded by a system of common values. The reason that we are a great nation is that we assimilate. Your immigrant grandparents assimilated and the country was better for it. Refusing to assimilate, choosing not to participate in the American experience, is unacceptable, and the only possible consequence is the end of a free and exceptional United States.
We as Americans are a people bound by providence, and one bound by common ideals. Attempts to deny CUA of its right to a Catholic identity is inconsistent with our shared national belief that man should have the right to worship God, and the right not to, in the manner of his own choosing. To deny these rights, as this lawsuit is attempting, is abhorrent to our core beliefs.
You rightly call out racism in this discussion. But your attempts to extrapolate this into a demand to end assimilation is flat wrong. Olivia, it is beneath you as a scholar, as a Catholic, and as an American.
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US Marine here; I defended the freedom of people like Barbara Curtis in Afghanistan. I am also a Muslim. Grapple with that. That is all.
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Mickey Jackson Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@Michael, Thank you for your service.
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Liutas Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Michael, I also thank you for your service; however, what do you mean by ‘people like Barbara Curtis?’ There is nothing untrue about what she said She stated her opinion eloquently and without malice. She makes the case for why Catholic University does not need to make special accommodations for Muslim students outside of accepting them as students. CUA is under no obligation to accept a Muslim student, nor is any Muslim university obligated to accept a non-Muslim and accommodate their religious requirements. End of story.
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Mickey Jackson Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@Liutas, She is correct that CUA is under no obligation to do anything, and clearly our Muslim students understand that, because NONE OF THEM ARE BEHIND THIS COMPLAINT. Her characterization of the Islamic faith, however, is incorrect, as is yours. So when Michael says he defended “people like Barbara,” he means people who repeatedly slander him.
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Liutas Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@Mickey Jackson, no one is slandering anyone here. If the Muslim students did not call for this, then they should ask Mr. Banzhaf to withdraw his lawsuit. If they do not, then they are passively complicit in his action. The students could call a news conference and make it clear that they have no involvement whatsoever and that they are demanding Mr. Banzhaf withdraw the insulting and frivilous lawsuit and publicly apologize to CUA and its students immediately. As for what I or Ms. Curtis have stated incorrectly, I would ask you to point those things out.
Miss Wonderly Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Michael,
Thank you.
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John M Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
@Michael, So this guy claims to be a marine and a Muslim, but has the Christian name of Michael. Taqqiya, anyone? Don’t fall for it.
Olivia Hurwitz needs to wake up and educate herself about Islam. It is not surprising that she is a dhimmi and is toting the BS line that Islam is a “peaceful religion hijacked by extremists.” Uh, no, Islam is not a peaceful religion. Unfortunately, she will never hear the truth at CUA because of the funding by the Saudi government. At CUA, one is not allowed to say anything negative about the barbaric religion of Islam.
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Olivia, are you aware of the Muslim Brotherhood and its mission? They have been around since the 1950′s in the United States with the singular goal of spreading Islam and creating a global caliphate. They had been banned in Egypt until the recent ‘Arab Spring’ uprising toppled the Mubarak government, and now they stand to gain control of Egypt. A once secular nation that helped keep peace in the Middle East with Israel is on the verge of being ruled by Islamic fundamentalists and Sharia law. Tunisia, Libya and most likely Syria are all coming under Sharia rule. Do not be surprised to see Iraq fall into Islamic rule after our military presence is gone, either. One by one, the Middle East is falling under Islamic law, and we our far-left administration has aided that effort immensely. The Muslim Brotherhood is the group behind CAIR, who is quite vocal and busy around this country filing lawsuits left and right to gain more ground in their pursuit of Islamizing our country. I know there are good Muslim people here in this country and at CUA, but as someone else has stated here earlier, “the inaction of good men allows evil to grow’. When Muslims here start protesting loudly and publicly in very large numbers against those terrorists, then we’re starting to make progress.
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Michael – thank for your service. My son is going into Marine OCS in January.
Mature discourse means not allowing yourself to demean your own points by phrases like “people like Barbara Curtis.” As someone pointed out, I said nothing malicious. But you did.
People who disagree with you aren’t necessarily bad or stupid or beneath contempt. You make yourself look bad when you resort to that kind of nonsense. I know there are probably good courses at Catholic University on debate/
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Also, Michael – I’ve been meditating on your comment as I peeled the potatoes for my family’s dinner and I’m wondering what was your intent?
Are you saying that because you are a Muslim and a Marine that “people like Barbara Curtis” should forfeit their freedom to express their opinion about whether Catholic University should provide a dedicated prayer room for Muslim students? Or that their opinion should be somehow less worthy than yours?
I really don’t get the connection at all.
I see you are a man of few words, bur perhaps you could spare a few more to explain your point.
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Liutas Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Barbara Curtis, I think Michael is probably seething because a subordinate female has called him out. Don’t be surprised if he has asked to have a ‘fatwah’ put out on you! Personally, I think that Michael, Mickey and Dom might be the same person and not in the military at all.
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Many of the comments critical of Prof. Banzhaf were cogent, well-thought out and founded in fact. If some of the comments were overly frank or un-pc, that does not make the information any less true.
The issue is: should Christian sacramentals be removed from ANY room (or even an area outdoors) at CUA in order to make Muslims feel more comfortable?
OF COURSE NOT. Refusal to remove crucifixes has nothing to do with assimilation. Assimilation would mean, for instance, forcing Muslim students to wear a St. Michael’s medal or fast during Lent.
If a crucifix is already part of the environment, removing it would mean assimilating to Islam, not the other way around. Muslims have free will and are not compelled to enter a room they deem so offensive.
If you talk to a Muslim who is willing to be honest–and I have heard this directly from imams–it is highly un-Islamic to call attention to one’s private prayer life when one is not in an Islamic environment. Muslims can say valid prayers silently. It is not necessary to create a scene, and it is especially bad behavior to cause discord.
Muslim students have the option mentioned above, or they could enroll in a Muslim university, perhaps abroad.
But it is important to remember that there is a radical element within Islam that fundamentally wants to change Catholic culture in particular, and Western or American culture in general, to make everyone conform to their version of Islamic compliance (ie, to observe shariah). This movement may represent a minority, but they are very deliberate in trying to achieve their goals.
And the Muslim Student Association is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherthood, which has never retracted its stated mission to impose Islam globally. Anyone who doubts this should do some research and read their charter. Or just sit back and watch TV coverage of how they’re treating Christians in post-Arab Spring Egypt.
It will be interesting to see whether CUA accepts shariah law and gives in to Banzhaf’s demands, or if CUA responds with, “This is who we are: you are welcome to join our community. Or not.”
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