I read with interest the lengthy ABP article by Robert Marus in the Nov. 9 issue of the Herald about the claim of David Clippard, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, that “Islam has a strategic plan” to take over the United States, and the reaction of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of CAIR, is quoted as saying that Clippard's assertions “are too bizarre to even comment on.” I suspect that a number of Clippard's charges are over the top but, for me, the basic premise of his argument is not too bizarre to comment on.
Certainly, there is no evidence that American Muslims are plotting violent overthrow of our government. But in those cities where they might gain political control I would not be surprised if they were to attempt to impose Shar'ia or Islamic religious law on the community. Why do I say that? Because of what their religious leaders have said publicly.
I cite the following example. Recently, Shaheed Coovadia and Robin Poulton co-authored an article on the op/ed page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Oct. 26 issue, headlined “Ramadan Focuses Believers' Attention on Peace.” In their op/ed piece they emphasized the peaceful intent of Islam and noted (perhaps with some justification) “America's popular press reports very little about the lives, and loves of ordinary, peaceful Muslims, about their children, education and music.”
To counter this inadequacy of the press and to spread knowledge through education, they created V-Peace, the Virginia Institute for Peace and Islamic Studies. I commend them for this effort. They contend that “Muslims across the world do not hate America, and by the same token most American Muslims are no threat to the security of this country.” I'm a bit dubious but let's take them at their word.
Though some of my fellow Baptists might take exception, I agree with them that there is but one God and that the name of the “same One God” (their term) varies according to which language one speaks. They say, “Maybe Muslims should show more sense of humor when their religion is insulted; or maybe they have endured Western domination and contempt for too long and it is time for the worm to turn.” I think they're right. Muslims should show the same sense of humor that Muslims expect all other religions to exhibit when their adherents are labeled “Infidels.” (Is there an implied threat in their suggestion that “maybe … it is time for the worm to turn”?)
The concluding paragraph of their op/ed piece encourages Christians, Jews and Muslims to proclaim acceptance of each other's beliefs and practices, noting that this path accommodates pluralism and, they say, “That can lead to America becoming a true reflection of Founding principles, respecting the teachings of all religions.” But that sentiment flies in the face of a couple of facts. Saudi Arabia bans churches and even forbids priests from entering the country. Muslim authorities persecute Christians and Jews in some parts of the Muslim world. Although Coovadia and Poulton condemn violence committed by Muslims they express no reservations about the discrimination Christians and Jews face in most Muslim countries.
Some of your readers might not know who Shaheed Coovadia is. He is imam and spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Virginia. Shortly after 9/11, on Oct. 20, 2001, the Richmond Times-Dispatch carried an article by correspondent Alberta Lindsey, headlined “Muslims ask journalists to give ‘a fair shake.' ” In the article Lindsey noted that Muslims resent the media using the terms “Islamic terrorists” or “Islamic fundamentalists” to describe those carrying out terrorist acts against the United States. Ms. Lindsey reported statements made by Malik Khan, president of the executive committee at the Islamic Center of Virginia, and by imam Shaheed Coovadia. Both condemned terrorism and Coovadia emphasized that these terrorists “…are not representing Islam.”
What really disturbs me about the Islamic religion, particularly the Islamic movement in this country, can be best expressed in Coovadia's own words, as quoted in the referenced RT-D article: “ ‘Islam is not just a religion,' the Imam said …. ‘There is no separation of church and state …. The Quran lays out a framework for even the state and government to be conducted.' ”
One need only look at some of the Muslim-controlled governments to know what that belief leads to. Perhaps David Clippard overstated the threat, but as perhaps the fastest growing religion in the United States, I am concerned that Muslims may not cherish the essential democratic principles on which our Republic was founded.
Daniel A. Polk, Richmond