There are also less obvious causes that infest the impressionable minds of our youngsters. When an elementary grade child expresses glee and no sorrow at the loss of a non-Muslim life because his teacher told him that they deserve it and that they are going to hell anyway. When a college student treats expatriates in this country as if they were sub-humans, especially manual laborers and domestic helpers.

When some misguided souls in the mosques preach a message of hate and prejudice against anyone who does not conform to their understanding of what a Muslim is and how they should dress and look. These kinds of exclusionary attitudes feed on the subliminal message that it’s OK to attack anyone who does not believe in the same things you do. Well, it’s not OK and enough is enough.

Not to praise myself, but whenever someone attacks non-Muslims I always tell them that one of my dearest friends in the United States is a Christian. I have a better friend in her than in many of my Muslim friends. After our years in college we stayed in touch and continued sharing our times of happiness and times of grief. Does that make me less of a Muslim?

When I was asked about Islam while I was studying in the US, I answered that the best way to know about Islam is to read about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), noting that he is the best example for all of us to follow. When the right time and place for me to speak up about Islam presented itself, I did so to the best of my ability without giving off- the-cuff edicts about things I didn’t know or wasn’t sure about it. I didn’t try to persuade everyone I met to convert to Islam, but that doesn’t mean I did not correct some of his or her misconceptions about Islam by educating myself first.

The Prophet said that a Muslim can teach with his good behavior what a preaching, praying Muslim cannot. I’m not surprised if non-Muslims who live here do not believe that Islam is a religion of tolerance, seeing how we are many times unfriendly toward them, disrespectful and arrogant.

I also don’t blame non-Muslims abroad for having a negative impression of Islam, seeing how some of us behave when we are in their countries.

Muslims everywhere are having a tough time defending their religion, feeling helpless and oppressed, but it’s no excuse to resort to violence, which only creates more violence and friction.

What is happening to the Palestinians under the brutal hands of the Israeli occupying forces is a disgrace for all humanity and not just Muslims, and the Palestinians have every right to defend their land.

The Afghans’ fight for liberation from the invading Russians was legitimate, and our support for the freedom of Iraq and other nations under any kind of occupation, injustice and torture is a duty.