Support of Airstrikes a Shift for Muslims

Muslim Americans stood with their government Monday, most backing U.S. airstrikes against Afghanistan havens of terrorism and resoundingly rejecting Osama bin Laden’s call for an Islamic war against Western powers.

The widespread show of support reflected a subtle but distinct shift taking hold in many Muslim American circles, as people shy away from criticizing U.S. policies to avoid appearing unpatriotic.

For years, many Muslims have taken issue with U.S. policy in the Mideast, arguing that the nation’s actions promoted anti-Americanism abroad. But few seem willing to push that argument now. Instead, a striking air of introspection appears to be taking hold, as Muslims embrace the flag.

“Criticism is necessary, but not now, when everyone is in pain,” said Muzammil Siddiqi, a nationally known leader with the Islamic Society of North America. “Healing is important at this time.”

Siddiqi, a mosque leader in Garden Grove, said Muslims have been far too insular and must reach out to their non-Muslim neighbors to combat Bin Laden’s gross distortion of Islam. He said he personally intended to step up his interfaith and communitywide activities rather than focusing on parochial Muslim concerns.

In a blunt online column, Michigan political science professor Muqtedar Khan chastised Muslims for condemning Israeli and U.S. policies but failing to speak out about repressive Islamic regimes. He also said Muslims themselves bore responsibility for allowing extremists to flourish, and urged them to step up efforts to police those who would abuse Islam.

“It is time that we acknowledge that the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S. are more desirable to us than superficial solidarity with the Muslim world,” said Khan, of Adrian College, who posted his recent piece on www.ijtihad.org. “If you disagree, then prove it by packing your bags and going to whichever Muslim country you identify with. It is time that American Muslim leaders fought to purify their own lot.”

Another Muslim American, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, said the Sept. 11 attacks had “drawn a line in the sand.” Like others, he said he has become less tolerant of “wild, undisciplined rhetoric” within his community against the United States. Now, he said, “I want to tell them to just shut up.”

Muslims are not without reservations about the airstrikes. Those interviewed Monday voiced fear that civilians would be hurt. Many said they were concerned that U.S. officials had not publicly proved their case that Bin Laden orchestrated the attacks. They did not, however, argue that the Saudi-born extremist was innocent, and all of them expressed dismay that he was exploiting their faith to justify violence.

Muslims also rejected Bin Laden’s videotaped statement, shown Sunday, that urged support for his holy war by declaring, “Every Muslim has to rush to make his religion victorious.”

“I give victory to my religion by fighting terrorism,” retorted Maher Hathout, senior advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles. “Bin Laden is not the spokesman for Islam and Muslims. He is not qualified.”

The council, like virtually all other national Muslim American organizations, issued statements this week supporting President Bush’s campaign against terrorism, including this week’s airstrikes.

One exception has been Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope, who Monday condemned the airstrikes as “state terrorism” against Afghan civilians. Speaking with members of Masjid Ibaadillah, a predominantly African American mosque in the Jefferson Park area of Los Angeles, he said the United States should take nonmilitary action against the Taliban, such as freezing its assets.

Other Muslims who backed allied efforts to combat terrorism expressed concern that the current wartime climate has chilled debate on comprehensive solutions to the problem--including the role of U.S. foreign policy in the Mideast, particularly its support of Israel.

Hussam Ayloush of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in Anaheim said he believes that such debate is especially necessary now, but that his attempts to speak about it in sermons have been discouraged by mosque leaders. They have told him they fear such sermons will give the impression he supports Bin Laden, Ayloush said.

“Muslims are afraid of being a voice of dissent at a time our nation needs voices of dissent,” Ayloush said. “It’s not very popular, but I think a few of us should do it for the sake of our country.”

In Anaheim, Bassam Adlouni, a Palestinian native, said the airstrikes stir complex feelings. He sees Bin Laden’s call to arms as the mad rhetoric of a terrorist--but finds little reason to celebrate America’s hunt for its prime suspect.

“I think the president was under pressure to take action in the eyes of the public, but there should be a better way,” said Adlouni, 54.

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Times staff writers Solomon Moore and Daniel Yi contributed to this report.