Post Paris - our neighbors are at risk

I was happy to find out family and friends were unharmed after recent horrible violence in Paris. Not everyone was so lucky. As I continue to keep Paris' citizens and visitors in my prayers I learned of another group also affected.

Look for the heroes, they should be our focus

Khaula Mazhar posted "What it is like to be Muslim when a bunch of crazy bastards go totally haywire" on Blogher this week. She brings up her valid concern for the aftermath of violence and anger against anyone "looking" Muslim. Attacks against people percieved as Muslim increased after the 9-11 attacks.

With the rants on twitter, she fears it happening again. It is a valid concern.

Mazhar points out that the majoritty of Muslims are against the violence perpetrated by ISIS and other terrorist groups. She also, in the comments, states that:

"ISIS banned Eid, one of the two Muslim celebrations. They do not pray, they do not read the Quran. They have killed thousands of Muslims. Whatever they believe in, it is certainly not Islam."

Her writing shows that not all the victims of ISIS were in Paris. But that some of them may be your neighbours.

This Thanksgiving, we are not giving in to the hate and violence. We will celebrate an American holiday that is shared by all of us: Christian, Muslim, Buddist, Atheist, Hindu, Pagan...

I wish ALL of us a very happy Thanksgiving.

If you have recently heard of groups supporting peace, community building or inter-faith gatherings, please post them so we can all join in.

Michelle G. Lathe, L.E.


Khaula Mazhars article was found on BlogHer.Com at:
http://www.blogher.com/what-it-s-be-muslim-when-bunch-crazy-bastards-go-totally-haywire