Submitted by Richard Bruce, May 17, 2007 10:27

American Muslim history goes back to the 1500's. We accepted Moors who escaped Spain's harsh treatment in the late 1700's. Along with England, we ended the Western slave trade, which unjustly imprisoned African Muslims, in the early 1800' s long before Arabs ended the practice. No other country in world lost so many citizens fighting over slavery. We accepted Muslim immigrants fleeing the Ottoman empire in the late 1800's. The "Red Crescent" charity started in Detriot in 1920. During the Cold War, we accepted Muslims fleeing the iron hand of the Soviet Union. Americans died defending Muslims in Yugoslovia, Kuwait, and Somalia. Americans are dying trying to bring a better life to those in Afganistan and Iraq. We feed the Muslim poor in Africa. We gave the clothes off our backs to tsunami victims. We protect the rights of Muslims to peacefully practice their religion in America. Muslims are free to live a good life in the USA without fear from the government other powerful institutions.

What have we done to deserve the hatred of the Muslim leadership?

I believe the reason is simple and is based on two actions. Being the first to recognize the State of Israel and the fact that a Judeo-Christian nation has done so much for Muslims pierces the vail of superiority Muslims view their religion has over all other faiths. A Islamic reformation is needed to end this jealosy and hatred. Until this happens, Islam will continue to conflict with those who believe differently.

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