Gentlemen Start Your Engines

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

Bad news; yes, plenty of bad news. I can hardly stand it. And you, are you mad yet? I sure hope so. But then catch yourself in the mirror looking like a stereotype! An angry Muslim—why do we hate them so! Sit down, brother! Breathe, sister! How do we channel this anger without it bursting up like a broken water pipe or sewer?

Last week, young Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, who graduated in December after studying psychology and philosophy, was in the custody of campus police after driving through a crowd of students at the University of North Carolina; five students were slightly injured but treated and released.

Minor criminal charges or anger management? Is it anger or something more dangerous when a Muslim feels it? Ask the FBI—they have now joined the case because 22-year-old native of Iran, "allegedly made statements that he acted to avenge the American treatment of Muslims," said agent Richard Kolko, an FBI spokesman in Washington. "The ongoing investigation will work to confirm this."

Despite the fact that Taheri-Azar called police to surrender and then awaited officers on a street two miles from campus, the authorities apparently intend to charge him with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, said police Capt. George Hare. And the media runs with the story!

Well, it is not surprising that whatever statements were made in anger or pride will be thrown back at this young man. A truly priceless lesson in psychology and philosophy! May Allah guide us all to better adab and to learn from our errors. Yes, unless you really want your mug shot on the internet maybe better not tell the traffic police that you went over the speed limit to avenge the occupation of Iraq—or Palestine!

Today I was in a very bad mood, and rushed all tense and jumpy through the waiting room at ICNA Relief wrapped in annoyance at the usual suspects waiting there patiently. At another time I would listen to them with a sympathetic heart. But now, however, I feel the chill of hopelessness. With the budget in the red, and local zakat funds so low, I feel empty and afraid of the never-ending need of people for help and attention.

Is this the famous compassion fatigue? Whatever. Anyway, there is a reason that this year’s Academy Awards best picture oscar went to a movie named “Crash.” As the movie reminds us, we all collide and crash into each other all day long—we hardly meet, and rarely communicate in a clear and intelligent level! Our personal conversations are as tangled in hype and subtle dishonesty as the media messages we consume!

It is hard to be aware of our own mixed messages. But on a political level you and I are well aware of some double standards, especially when we are on the losing side. For example, the Bush administration decision to grant nuclear privileges to India as an ally clearly will upset other states such as Iran (and Pakistan) and further undermine the Anti-proliferation treaties. After the cartoon controversy, it was counterproductive and very insensitive to drag in doubts regarding the Jewish holocaust in Europe as an arguing point; but there are also many other cases of censorship in the West to balance the uncertain freedoms of the East. The examples show that freedom of expression has limits, or at least consequences.

Just last week, a Turkish film named “the Valley of the Wolves” was pulled from German theaters, because it depicts atrocities by US troops in Iraq, in a provocative way. And in New York City, an acclaimed theater piece about Rachel Corrie has been shut down before opening night because of concerns about the political situation—ie pressure tactics from interest groups. This sort of cultural cave in seems unprecedented for New York’s artistic community—but even this city is increasingly paranoid and fearful.

When used with skill, the freedom to offend is an important tool for opening closed minds. This form of surgery is needed because closed minds crash into each other. On a larger scale, closed societies do too. Amnesty International has released yet another major report (March 6) reporting the pattern of torture and abuse of Iraqi Detainees and the spread of such practices among local death squad militias. Americans and Muslims—both acting like criminals! Crash!

On impact, sometimes we wake up for a moment. Toto, I guess we’re not in Kansas anymore! We must be… in Iraq! But now, according to Zogby International, only 23 percent of US troops believe that the US should stay in Iraq “as long as we are needed.” In fact, 49 percent of reservists and 43 percent of National Guard said that the US should pull out immediately. However, only 9 percent of marines agreed, and overall 85 percent of troops believed that the US mission was to retaliate for Saddam’s role in 9/11.

Well apparently it is hard to wake up from that particular dream. And the dream factory is in high gear. On March 6, the US Supreme Court upheld a law that cuts federal financing for universities that do not give access to military recruiters. So we will have more soldiers and more recruiters calling young people at their homes. Yes some soldiers are men of honor and great courage. But this law will force on us more stupidity and more killing. How ironical, since Christian Evangelical proselytizing is on the rise in the military, from the high to the low ranks. Onward, Christian soldier.

Also last week, lawmakers considered a law to make Christianity the official religion of Missouri! And Muslims from Malaysia to Missouri point fingers of blame and label other sects apostates, not merely misguided in interpretation. So gentlemen, I think we are all ready! Adjust your seatbelts! Just close your eyes! And gentlemen, start your engines!