Arab-American Thanks
Thanks so much for your September 9 editorial “Remember Who We Are.” I am an Arab-American (though not a Muslim one) and I really appreciated the thoughtful reminder that the Jewish and Muslim communities have much in common in terms of their liberal attitudes and eager participation in American life. We all must confront the well-financed and well-organized Islamophobia machine together as healthy-minded adult Americans whatever our backgrounds, and its good to keep in mind those values that we share.
A note of reassurance to your Jewish readers, if one might be welcome: Though, as you point out, there are a number of Jews prominent among the high-profile haters of Islam, I have not yet heard anyone suggest that there is any kind of Jewish conspiracy against Muslims. All thoughtful people recognize the participation of Jewish groups and individuals in defense of the rights of Muslims. As one Jewish friend of mine said, after attending a candlelight vigil in support of the Park51 Islamic Center, “It seemed that most of the people there were Jews.” Please know that such support does not go unnoticed and unappreciated by Arabs and Muslims.
Dave Hall
Brooklyn, N.Y.
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