A distressing message

Recently I received an e-mail, from more than one source, calling for a boycott of a 'new' postage stamp in the U.S. that celebrates two Muslim holidays. It was intended, I suppose, to get me fired up, upset, and motivated to spread the word - which it did - but not in support of its contents. Quite the opposite.

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The message draws attention to a new stamp (which is not, in fact, remotely new) that celebrates two Islamic holidays. It further lists a number of terrorist events committed by extremist Muslims, and suggests a boycott of the stamp, as "purchasing it would be a slap in the face to those who were victims of those 'whom the stamp honors.'" (If you want to view the e-mail in its entirety, go to http://www.snopes.com/politics/stamps/eidstamp.asp ).

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Normally I ignore e-mails that convey messages that are obviously unresearched and blatantly inaccurate, and/or contrary to my own beliefs and philosophies, and I simply delete them. But this one really made me angry, and sad. It does a bit more than create a ridiculous false hope that Bill Gates will send you a check if you forward an e-mail to all your friends. So I'm talking about it here.

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So let's get this out of the way first - the stamp does not, in any way, honor those who carried out the atrocious acts listed.

I am very much a patrotic American, to which this message is said to be directed. But I vehemently disagree with the message of fear and hatred that it proliferates.

True and genuine patriotism requires that one defend the freedom and dignity of one’s fellow citizens regardless of their racial and religious affiliation.

Like many Americans (and non-Americans), I'm still angry and outraged about what happened on 9/11 and other events to which the message refers. I understand the anguish and frustration of families whose lives have been devastated by such events.

"Islamophobia" like that contained in this message, has, for years, incited violence targeting American Muslim individuals and institutions. Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, American Muslims and Arabs continue to suffer a severe wave of backlash violence. This violence includes murder, beatings, rape, arson, attacks on mosques, shootings, vehicular assaults and verbal threats.

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Did the person or persons who generated the message research the background of the stamp? Or investigate the reasons the government produced such a stamp? Seemingly not. Well, I did.

Just to be clear, President Obama did not direct the issuance of this stamp which, by the way, was introduced in September of 2001 (and reissued in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008). Obama had nothing to do with the stamp, which was actually first issued by the Bush administration. Not that it matters. But Obama-haters, get your facts straight. The lack of accuracy in your statements just highlights your ignorance, and demonstrates that your mission is simply to generate propaganda.

By the way, the issue of boycotting the stamps is largely moot, since the stamps are generally specialty items sold only to customers who specifically request them. Moreover, the stamp is an ordinary first-class stamp and all proceeds go to the USPS, not to any Muslim-related groups or organizations. Hardly the point, but worth the clarification.

The EID stamp is not the first or only governmental or commercial recognition of Islamic holidays. Hallmark produces a variety of holiday cards celebrating Eid al-Fitr, and former President George W. Bush extended official greetings, issued messages and participated in commemorations of both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha - even after the Sept 11 attacks - and promoted the EID stamp via the White House web site. There wasn't a call to boycott the stamp then. Nor is there a call to boycott Hallmark. If the same logic applies, then if they're making these cards, aren't they promoting terrorism? That's preposterous.

In order to be consistent with the logic of attaching blame to an entire group, rather than the lunatic fringe nutcases within that group who are personally responsible for such despicable actions, you'd have to broaden your targets.

Should we boycott Christmas stamps because fundamentalist Christians bomb abortion clinics? Should we boycott stamps celebrating Jewish holidays because of the history of human rights violations in Palestine?

The bottom line is that every religion, culture, race, and nation has things about which they aren't very proud. Are you proud of the fact that we bombed Hiroshima? I didn't think so. If a handful of people who purportedly share your religion commit a heinous act, should your congregation be subject to hate crimes? Of course not.

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Fundamentalist extremists hide behind religious or other groups who do not share their beliefs or participate in their terrorist activities. Religion isn't the cause of terrorism. It is extremists who distort it to promote their personal agendas.

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The facts about the stamp are distorted to promote the personal agendas of the e-mail's creators advocates.

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For the record, Islam does not promote terrorism. Look at the Qu'ran. And most American Muslims (and your fellow citizens) denounce extremism.

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So my message to those of you who support and promote the boycott and continue to forward the e-mail, is "think about it, and think about it carefully." Don't be so easily tempted to condemn the whole bunch, because it's a very slippery slope.

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If you don't want to buy the stamp, then don't - that's certainly your prerogative, but please don't spread a message which distorts the facts and only serves to promote fear, ignorance, racism, bigotry, and hatred.

Here's an excerpt from President Obama's speech in Cairo in June of this year, which refers to the tensions between Islam and the West:

"Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end."

I couldn't agree more.

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Those who send the e-mail about the stamp include the text "If there is only ONE thing you forward today... let it be this!"

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I'd suggest that if you send only one e-mail today, it contain a message that promotes peace and understanding rather than one of fear and hatred.