Veteran Muslim in US Answers Questions to Fight Islamophobia

New York, 26 Rabi’ul Akhir 1438/25 Januari 2017 (MINA) – Mansoor Shams, a Muslim veteran in US, has a spesific way in fighting Islamophobia in his country.

He, who served in the US Marines from 2000 to 2004, is traveling around the country with a sign that says, “I’m A Muslim U.S. Marine Ask Anything.”

As NPR reported, Shams now is a small business owner as well as a Muslim youth leader in the community.

He also says the most common questions are related to the Islamic stance on Sharia law, women’s rights, ISIS and homosexuality. While the questions aren’t always informed, Shams tells NPR’s Ari Shapiro that he still believes these conversations have led to something positive.

“There’s a lot of assumptions that are made, unfortunately, when people see a Muslim,” he says. “But what I found is that the conversation, the dialogue, has for the most part led to something very fruitful,” as NPR quoted.

I think the closest one that I got as a question was, she made a comment something like, “As long as you don’t bring Sharia law here.” I said, “Well, let’s talk about that. Great question. I want that, you know. So do you know what Sharia law is?” So I told her, it’s literally a path to life-giving water. It’s like the Ten Commandments for Muslims. It’s nothing to be enforced upon anyone. It’s a moral code that I follow for myself as an individual.

To me, even one person makes a big difference. Because now when that person goes out to his circle of friends, and if there is some anti-Islamic, Islamophobia sort of environment, I know that he will speak up in that moment and say, “You know what? No. Let’s not paint everybody with a broad brush.” So I don’t feel my efforts are wasted in any way. I think if I get to make a difference or change the thought process of one individual, I feel very satisfied.(T/RE1/RS05)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)