Opinion
 

Columnist says 'adieu' for now

Samira Zaidi
Opinion Columnist

It has been quite a treat writing columns for The Daily Cougar. Although I am a novice, I have learned a lot and hope to continue this column.

I was able to write about topics ranging from the Cougar Challenge to the Middle East. I thank those who read my columns and responded with gratitude that someone had finally cared enough to write about the "other side."

With all that said, I want to sum up my last column of the fall with a rundown of important points and tidbits.

My first column, as you may remember, was about being active and introduced the petition for initiating a fall graduation ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

With your signatures and the efforts of students and administrators, namely the dean's office, it passed. This fall will be the inaugural ceremony. We learned that if one strongly believes in something, through will and perseverance, it can be achieved. There is no obstacle too great to stand in the way of a determined mind.

It has been an interesting experience writing columns expressing different viewpoints, with the hope that the UH community would take them and reflect on them. I apologize to anyone I might have offended as that was clearly neither my purpose nor intention.

In reference to this, I would like to address a not-so-friendly fan concerning my column about the prisoners being detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It seems this person felt I was supporting what the terrorists did on Sept. 11, 2001. I have written many times on my opposition to the Taliban and their distorted interpretation of Islam. However, my column had nothing to do with that fateful day, but it was about the rights, guaranteed under international law, which apply to these detainees.

So before I end for the fall semester, I want to make clear that I do not support terrorism. Islam likens taking the life of an innocent person to a crime committed against generations. It does not excuse the taking of innocent lives.

The purpose of my article on the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay was not to trivialize the cowardly acts committed on 9/11. My intention was to bring awareness to the fact that America was founded on the unalienable rights to which every person is entitled. Everyone deserves a fair chance to prove his innocence.

I send a hearty muchas gracias to those who responded to my weekly columns. I wanted my work to be read, and I appreciate those who took the time to do so.

As we continue on to higher education, let us not forget to open our minds and hearts to the ideas and views of others, and to guard from the evil clutches of ignorance and prejudice. Let us live in peace with each other — love the life you live, and live the life you love.

Lastly I would like to wish you all a great winter break. Today I wish a happy Eid-al-Fitr Mubarak to all Muslims, and also Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to my fellow Cougars.

Zaidi, a senior communication major, 
can be reached at greeneggs34@hotmail.com.