October 17, 2008

A perspective from MPAC Executive Director, Salam Al-Marayati, on Islamophobia in the elections.

There's a saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The same can be said of fear. The weak see only fear while the strong see everyday challenges that require determination and sacrifice to overcome adversity.

No doubt there is danger and there are threats in this world: crime, oppression, genocide, racism, terrorism, economic exploitation. In this election season, playing on the electorate's fears is predictable - the candidate promises, if elected, to carry everyone on his shoulders to prosperity without pain. He will fight the foe. He will deliver the bounty. He will [pause] disappoint everyone. Blame not the candidate but blame ourselves for creating illusory pursuits in the world of selective justice and unbridled spending.

The most common phobia played in the elections of 2008 is targeting Islam. Last month, 28 million copies of the film "Obsession" were dumped in battleground states. The film attempts to equate Muslims with Nazis in a manner akin to fascism, spouting propaganda against a religious minority, accusing it of a world conspiracy against the West. Surely some voters took the bait, but all indicators point to the failure of "Obsession" in shaping the discourse of the campaign. The economy, healthcare, and education still rate just as high in priority among the electorate as national security and foreign policy.

One reason why fear-mongering is so effective during the election season is because it is easy in our time to create panic. Thank the producers of the film "Obsession" for selling panic and fear that poisons the American fabric.

In spite of that, there are more Americans speaking out against "Obsession" than those who support it. Rabbi Jack Moline, chairman of the Washington-based Interfaith Alliance, stated in a press conference against "Obsession" that during Yom Kippur, he would ask for forgiveness for two people, himself and the producer of the film. It's the Rabbi Molines of our country that deserve more attention.

Phobia is not unique to Muslims during elections, however. In the past, Catholics were feared in taking over the country. John F. Kennedy had to distance himself from the Pope: "I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President, who happens also to be a Catholic." Mitt Romney, in his presidential bid during the Republican primaries, took political hits because of his Mormon background. Catholics and Mormons suffered violently in U.S. history before they became integrated into the political mainstream. One can look back and see either the fear of those episodes of scapegoating these religious groups, or one can see the victory of minorities overcoming the fear of the majority.

Hence, the best way to counteract the damage of "Obsession" is for Muslim Americans to continue to remain civically and politically active, and to turn out in record numbers on Election Day. Only then will politicians take note of our ability to overcome fear. Only then will we be able to turn the lens of extremism on the producers of "Obsession," the real extremists.