Story by Priscilla Rodarte
Staff Writer
A few weeks ago, members of a Muslim student group known as the UC Irvine 11 were indicted for interrupting an on-campus speech by the Israeli ambassador, which occurred more than a year ago.
Some argue the students are only being prosecuted because they are Muslim and that the prosecution has infringed on the students’ rights to free speech.
I agree.
Ever since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Muslims in America have faced unfair treatment based solely on looks or last names.
The problem with this is that Muslims are just like everyone else.
I should know. My Dad is Muslim.
At the age of eight I was introduced to a new culture and religion. My mom, a Mexican-American and lifelong Catholic, married a Muslim man.
His father is a scientist and not very religious, but his mother, and the rest of his Pakistani family, are quite traditional and religious.
Before my parents got married, they discussed how they would raise their future children.
“We agreed on raising the kids Christian Catholic but with an understanding of Islam,” my mom recently told me.
My parents decided that my mother would deal with most of the religious issues, since those were more important to her, and that my dad would deal with the education. Of course, they would make all the important decisions together.
It has now been ten years since my parents have been married and the cultural differences have expanded my horizons.
Spending time with the Muslim side of my family has allowed me to see, from a Catholic point of view, the differences and similarities between Muslim-Americans and other Americans.
I have been able to attend Muslim prayer ceremonies with my Dad. During the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan, my dad and his family abstain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset. On the last day of Ramadan, my family and I celebrate Eid. We go to the prayer service in the morning, eat, and the kids in the family usually receive gifts.
My dad is not the most religious person in his family, but when we spend time with his family, they make sure they pray at the appropriate times during the day. When they pray, they must face in the direction of the city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the religion.
The one thing my Dad is strict about is not eating pork, and although our family may eat it front of him, he doesn’t mind.
Just as we have been able to attend prayer services with my Dad, he goes to mass with us every Sunday. He knows how important it is, especially for the kids.
My siblings realize that my Dad is of another religion and understand the basics of it. They have learned how to pray in Arabic, Spanish and in English.
Our family deals with the same issues that every family does on a daily basis.
People fear what they don’t know, therefore people should get to know Muslim Americans.
The best part of America is the diversity of people and ideas. Judging people because of how they look or their last name, as is happening in the UCI 11 case, is missing the whole point of being American.