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February 20, 2009

Chip Roush: Beheading wasn't Islamic crime

By CHIP ROUSH

Editor's note: This is part of a recurring series of columns by local religious leaders.

Aasiya Hassan was beheaded last week, allegedly by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

I grieve for Aasiya Hassan, and her children and family -- and for the entire Islamic community in the United States. This crime will exacerbate the mistrust and fear with which many view Muslims.

Indeed, the first headlines focused on the irony that Muzzammil Hassan ran a television station dedicated to overcoming negative stereotypes about Muslim-Americans. Aasiya Hassan asked him to create "Bridges TV" so that her children would not have to grow up amidst fear and hatred.

Islam is a peace-loving religion. Radical fundamentalist groups within it use bombs and terror to combat the stereotypes they learn about modern Western culture.

This clash of cultures is but one of many divisions we draw, including race, class, religion, sexuality -- and the most basic division -- male and female. We fear those who are different; and too often, we respond to that fear with violence. This was not an Islamic crime, it was a human crime. If we wish to honor Aasiya Hassan's death, let us do so by pursuing her dream of understanding. Let us not fear each other, but together work to overcome ignorance.

Chip Roush is senior pastor at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse in Traverse City.

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