Obama's Muslim heritage

I'm no fan of radical Islamic extremism, but I'm also someone who thinks Islamophobia is way overblown.

I've read all the arguments that the Qur'an expressly directs Muslims to take over the world, that the Muslim Brotherhood has instituted a plan to accomplish this, etc. Even if such things were true, it can't happen. Why?

Anyone who's ever talked to any Muslims at all will know that they aren't one big monolithic entity. There are as many sects within Islam as Christianity. They disagree on lots and lots of things. There's no way they're "all" going to buy into an agenda like that. Truly -- post-9/11, all Muslims are being tarred with the extremist brush, and completely unfairly. (Well, not completely unfairly -- many Muslims I've spoken with agree that more of them should be more vocal against strict sharia law interpretation and against violence, and I agree.)

So what does all this have to do with presidential candidate Barack Obama? He's felt he's had to distance himself from his Muslim heritage because of anti-Muslim prejudice. Instead, he should embrace this heritage, according to eloquent writer Junaid M. Afeef in the Wall Street Journal.

"Islam" is a multifaceted concept and practical reality. Too often, irrational fear of it becomes a weapon in the hands of those with agendas -- including, quite possibly, our own government. It's high time we educate ourselves about the true state of affairs with our Muslim citizens. Go here for a good place to start.

P.S. This post at Red Tory V2.0 inspired me to post this. By all means, visit his site.