Muslim celebration mixes with mourning
In the Philadelphia region, the local chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations has called on media outlets to run a series of public-service videos. One shows Muslims were among the firefighters who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Another shows that Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders share a version of the golden rule. "We have more in common than we think," the video says. "There are only 6 million Muslims in the United States and we have to reach out to others in the majority," said Moein Khawaja, executive director of the Philadelphia office of the Council on American Islamic Relations.
Several local Muslims said fasting reminds them of the suffering of the poor and teaches them about humility, patience and spirituality. It's also a time to ask forgiveness for sins. "To me, it's that spiritual element, where you look at the fact that there are poor people in Philadelphia and around the world, and you start to feel what they feel," said Rugiatu Conteh, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.
American Muslims are divided over the proposed mosque near ground zero — for some, the plans have provided a teachable moment, for others, it has needlessly provoked a torrent of anti-Muslim rhetoric.