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Entry: The Lie of Assimilation Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/the_lie_of_assimiliation#8866 Post contents: I don't see the basis for this alarmist argument. Terrorist violence or affiliation with terrorist groups is a statistical rarity among American Muslims. Despite a population that ranges from three to six million, from 9/11 on, there isn't a single incident of terrorist violence attributable to an American Muslim. Moreover, consider this fact in light of the prejudice directed toward Muslims since 9/11, the one-sided support of Israel by the US, the invasion and destruction of Iraq, the repression of civil liberty by the government,.... Obviously, American Muslims are well integrated and fairly supportive of the US. To support his (bigoted) position, Rickert cites a few polling questions and a single anecdote about a Dr. Siddiqui who supposedly expressed admiration for Osama bin Laden 5 months after 9/11 and headed a mosque and Islamic school in Rockford, Illinois. As for the polling questions, the significance being assigned is greatly exaggerated. Any religious person--Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Hindu, Mormon--would by definition probably weigh his or her religious identity more than his or her dual status as an American citizen. The question is where are the conflicts, if any, between the individual's religious identity and national identity? The alleged 26% support of suicide bombing in defense of Islam is a bit more worrisome, but again what type of situations are we talking about. It isn't clear. Certainly, Christian, Jews, Hindus, and so on might resort to extreme actions to defend their faith. Are they wrong to do this? Not necessarily. You have to look at specific situations to draw conclusions. As for the personal anecdote regarding the apparent radical views of Dr. Siddiqui, Rickert should have simply reported him to the FBI and perhaps the Illinois Department of Education for investigation and monitoring, but I don't see why people in general have to freak out every time they see a guy with a beard and turban. Sent at: 2008 07 23