by Linda Eghlidos
Our society has labored in recent decades to remove the stereotypical depiction of minorities. "Politically correct" is the new catch-phrase of the '90s. However, in spite of these well-meaning efforts, one minority group continues to be maligned.
We can remember how, after the Oklahoma bombing tragedy, the media blamed the Muslims. Innocent people were arrested, and one woman suffered a miscarriage when authorities raided her home. Was there any evidence, or even probable cause, linking these individuals to the bombing? No. Their only crime was being Muslim immigrants, and for this they were not treated as individuals, but as members of that much-despised species, Homo Terrorists.
The media declared that international terrorism had struck home and that Muslims were the culprits because, to paraphrase one radio talk-show host, Muslims are "prone to violence" and have "little respect for human life."
Mosques were fire bombed or disfigured by broken windows and graffiti. People were targeted for physical and verbal assault.
As an Anglo-American Muslim, I was taken aside by my employers and assured that my "job was not in danger, despite what others of my kind had done."
Many Muslims in Oklahoma City helped recover victims, helped treat the injured and raised funds for the victims' families. We also had to deal with the blame and a deep sense of shame as the media raved on. If they hadn't caught Timothy McVeigh, who knows how far things might have gone.
With the advent of the movie Executive Decision, Muslims are once again being subjected to defamation. Here are a few scenes from the film:
1. The Koran is brandished and quoted to justify acts of terrorism.
2. Islamic slogans, such as "Allahu Akbar" (God is most great), are chanted by the terrorists an one of them cries "Allahu Akbar" as he is killed.
3. The terrorists' leader is shown performing Islamic prayers and reading the Koran.
4. The terrorists refer to themselves as "swords of Allah" or "soldiers of Allah," and to the U.S. as the "heart" or "belly" of the "infidels."
This movie will start a new wave of anti-Muslim sentiment which could lead to further discrimination and hate crimes. Time-Warner has been contacted by Muslim community leaders, but they have refused to comply with the following demands:
1. To re-edit the film and omit any references to Islam, Allah, the Koran and Chechen Muslims (victims of Russian persecution who should not be portrayed in this manner).
2. To apologize to the Muslim-American community for Time-Warner's insensitivity.
Recently, film makers have taken care not to offend other minority groups by linking their religion to terrorism. Why are Muslims not accorded the same respect? A real Muslim, one who follows the tenets of his/her faith, would never commit or condone such acts.
Linda Eghlidos is a senior human nutrition and foods major.