As American as Apple Pie

I've read so many articles like this and unfortunately, this one offers nothing new. The writer's focus on the headscarf is very telling of the mentality of so many Muslims worldwide: that is the only acceptable dress for women who step outside their respective homes, and that any woman who dresses differently is a whore. She reminds me a lot of a famous Muslim TV personality who looks very Westernized, but the underlying message is always the same: Our way or the high way. Muslims need to stop blaming everyone else for their problems and start looking inward. A loved one once asked me how the most advanced civilization in the world, at one point, went from contributing to science, medicine, literature, poetry, etc... to...nothing. Surely that is some sort of clue that the region is in dire need of reform.

To preempt any 'Muslim hater' comments, I'm a proud Muslim. My relatives are proud Muslims. The only difference is that we don't wear our faith like a It's SUCH a crying shame to see that despite all this world class education, empty minds have still not been replaced with open ones. My mother is a doctor who has been to the Hajj nine times, wears a headscarf, and is the most down to earth humanitarian I have ever known. My closest childhood friend is Catholic and we used to celebrate all the religious holidays (Christian and Muslim) together. Point is, a lot of Muslims are here because they want to live in a place where they're free to think their own thoughts, and be a devout whatever-they-choose. That is a luxury that is not afforded in much of the Muslim world.

Like it or not, we share this planet. We should start taking care of it, ourselves and each other.

I read with interest Hadia Mubarak's essay. My question to her, other people of faith, and other citizens of America is "What does being American mean to you?" At the end of her essay she says, "...people will look at me and, instead of seeing a woman with a headscarf, they'll see another American, just like them." I guess I'm asking, which document would take precedent. The Constitution and its amendments or the Koran? Just as I ask would it be the Bible or the Constitution?

Ms. Mubarak, I'm sorry for you and your friend's experience. But it is simply not a bit worst than mine. I'm a frequent traveler and some of which is in predominantly Muslim countries. No, no one shouted at me to go back home. My host just told me that more than half of the people in the place I went to would probably want to kill me given half the chance for the simple reason that I'm there. And please, those people who looked at you funny and even thought all Muslim are extremists are the narrow-minded neo-con or neo-nazi minorities and do not represent us. And if I may, your first obligation is not to write your thoughts on Newsweek but rather to enlighten your brethren that we are your brothers and we are not out to convert you to Christianity -- which is for us is a personal choice.

I used to be Catholic and years ago we used to have to cover our heads in church. It was really dumb. If you forgot your hat you had to put a kleenex on your head! I am no longer religious for alot of reasons: dumb rules, patriarchal and oppressive to women, cause of most wars, no basis in logic, often perverted, etc. Hadia can wear her underwear on head for all I care as long as she (or any Christian, Buddist, whatever) doesn't try to force her religious beliefs on me. It's called seperation of church and state and it's what this country was founded on.
On another note, I wonder why Hadia does not address the reasons for the predjudice she encounters? Why are some people are more fearful of Hadia's headscarf than for example, a Russian woman wearing a babushka?

I can't believe Newsweek is giving a Wahabbi, ex-president of the Muslim Brotherhood founded MSAs such a national platform. This the second white flag newsweek has waved since it published the article "learning to live with radical Islam." So much for defending secular democracy.

If anyone wants to read more about who Hadia Mubarak is, read: http://www.fsmarchives.org/article.php?id=416756

Perfect, lets get all involved in yet another infinitesimal, extreme minority! Earth to Democratic administration, majority rule ring any bells, serve the will of the people, not the 1.2%!!!!!!!!!!

If most Muslims are like you, as has been my experience with Muslims here in Florida, we are happy to have you with us. Freedom of religion is one of our most cherished rights here in the U.S. and people like you are a prime reason we have it. America and Muslims have had a rocky past, for reasons that rarely had to do with religion, and there is a certain amount of tribalism (psychology label for "us and them") from both sides, and it will take a little while to overcome them.

I guess what most scares Americans about any religious group is that we will lose that right to freedom of religion, whether it be through the work of the Christian Coalition or through trying to import Sharia law. As long as those fears are alleviated you will find the majority of Americans to be very open and accepting. If those fears are not properly addressed the opposite will be true. It took us too long to fight our way out from under religious and secular authoritarianism to allow it to happen again.

That is an American cultural baggage. :-)

I take the pronouncements of Ms. Mubarak as an outpouring of humanity on her part. Why do people have to overly judge what other people wear? Hijab, no hijab, cutoff shorts or whatever! America stands for freedom of expression.

And I could look at the bible and doubt my own Christianity because of the many violent phrases which exist there, but it's the essence of a faith and your own interpretation of it that counts.

Thank you, Ms. Mubarak, for reaching out to all of us.

Kudos to Newsweek for embracing tolerance and civility! The headscarf of this author is no different what religious Christian and Jewish women wear all over the world. It is about modesty, dignity and honor. Amaerica is for all! Racism had its stamped its ugly stamp on our history for a very long time. I hope we learn from the lessons of the past and embrace civility, modernity and teolerance.

@ Average Jane and NeoPoliticus -- I respect your right to hold your opinion, but try looking at it from a different perspective. If you can think that wearing a headscarf is "bowing down to a patriarchal society," do you think that wearing a miniskirt and low-cut blouse would also qualify as "bowing down to a patriarchal society"? It's an opposite take, but try it on for size.

I believe that people have the right to dress as they choose, and in our diverse country, it's not unreasonable to hope others will respect that right.

I???m not only a Muslim when I???m engaged in an act of worship ??? it is part of me at every moment. I dress modestly and cover my hair whenever I am in public view. It???s part of my faith, and I draw strength and comfort from it. If you???re looking for oppression, you won???t find it in my hijab.

There are Christians who only wear skirts and never pants. Are they opressed? No it is a choice. Why do you think many women wear hats in church,covering thier heads. It is a way to show respect to God and what they believe. I think that a world religions class should be a requierment in every school so that people will actually know about a religions belief system.

The head scarf is a choice, and it is tradition followed by many religions including christianity. 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. New Testament....Its in the Bible. What does the Virgin Mary wear on her head. What do Nuns wear on their heads. Indeed they have more religious knowledge than the average Christian. If the most pious of the pious are wearing it by choice it isn't oppression. I am a student of Religion and Theology at Columbia University and hold an unbiased opinion on all of this. The comment made by wileysnakeskins is inaccurate. Mohamed was a Shepard, and by historical evidence he did recieve revelation, as did Christ, and Moses. I am upset, because your average joe blow can make a comment without any revelant evidence, and people believe them. THats why there is so much hate in the world because people don't let people live the way they want to because they just don't like it. The United States was found on Freedom of Religion, or do we forget that. If someone wants to be a Muslim, good. If someone wants to be a Christian great. But if someone wants to be intolerable, you might as well go back to where your ancesters came from because no one in the United states of America is from here. We are all immigrants one way or another unless you are a Native American. Or did you forget that we butchered them too because of our intolerance. Just mind your own buisness and live your own life
happilily without trying to take someone down. By the way Neopoliticus, look up oppression before you make an uneducated statement.