Growth in Muslim Communities in the Southwest USA.

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Mosque Construction in Phoenix Arizona, USA | Photo 02

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I recently had the pleasure to read a article concerning Islam and the US Armed Services. Seeing a reference to a local lawmaker I read on.

The article (some excerpts below) explains laws and comments concerning Muslims relations with the Government here in the USA.

“As many will remember, we couldn't have gotten off to a better start on winning hearts and minds when Lt. Gen. William "Jerry" Boykin, on his speaking tour of churches in 2003, publicly and in uniform proclaimed that the so-called war on terror was really a fight between Satan and Christians.

He made comments like, "We in the Army of God, in the House of God, the Kingdom of God have been raised for such a time as this," saying that George W. Bush, who had ignorantly called the war a crusade, was "in the White House because God put him there," and referring to the capture of Somali warlord Osman Atto, said, "I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol."

Speaking at a Rotary Club meeting in his hometown of Concord, N.C., in December 2006, one of Boykin's supporters, former Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C., pronounced that stability in Iraq ultimately depended on "spreading the message of Jesus Christ, the message of peace on earth, good will towards men. ... Everything depends on everyone learning about the birth of the savior."“

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., in his remarks on the passage of H.R. 847, a 2007 resolution "recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith,'' said that "... American men and women in uniform are fighting a battle across the world so that all Americans might continue to freely exercise their faith ..."

In June 2007, Brigitte Gabriel, founder of the American Congress for Truth and author of Because They Hate, delivered one of her typical anti-Muslim lectures at the Joint Forces Staff College.

In February 2008, Walid Shoebat, along with his fellow self-proclaimed ex-terrorists-turned-fundamentalist-Christians, appeared at the Air Force Academy's 50th annual academy assembly.

Gabriel's JFSC lecture, including the following quotes from the question-and-answer segment, was broadcast to the world on C-SPAN.

In answer to the question, "Should we resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation," Gabriel replied:

"Absolutely. If a Muslim who has -- who is -- a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Quran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day -- this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Quran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America."

As part of her answer to this same question, Gabriel asserted that a Muslim's oath of office is meaningless:

"A Muslim is allowed to lie under any situation to make Islam, or for the benefit of Islam in the long run. A Muslim sworn to office can lay his hand on the Quran and say 'I swear that I'm telling the truth and nothing but the truth,' fully knowing that he is lying because the same Quran that he is swearing on justifies his lying in order to advance the cause of Islam.

"What is worrisome about that is when we are faced with war and a Muslim political official in office has to make a decision either in the interest of the United States, which is considered infidel according to the teachings of Islam, and our Constitution is uncompatible [sic] with Islam -- not compatible -- that Muslim in office will always have his loyalty to Islam."

Here's what Gabriel had to say about terrorists entering the U.S. from Mexico:

"Those al-Qaida members and Hezbollah members who are coming into the United States, they are immediately going from the Mexican border into the major cities where there is large Islamic concentration in the United States, such as 'Dearbornistan' Michigan ..."

And, on the Islamic community in the U.S. and racial profiling:

"We need to see more patriotism and less terrorism, and especially on the part of the Islamic community in this country, who are good at nothing but complaining about every single thing instead of standing up and working with us in fighting the enemy in our country."

Being a veteran of the Armed services I was concerned. I can respond to these comments only with a few examples of the growth of Islam in the Desert southwest.

Since my embracing Islam several years ago I have seen the Islamic Community here explode in growth.

From 3 Mosques in metro Phoenix there are now seven with number eight opening soon (see media).

Two of these Masjids opened in the last two years and all but 2 opened after the 9/11 tragedy.

I ask…Why this growth? Islam is one of the fastest growing groups through birth and conversion.

How is this explained against the backdrop of 9/11 and the image of Islam in the western media?

In spite of all the efforts to contain the growth of Islam here we see a Muslim running for Public Office,Muslim dress becoming common and growth in stores catering to the needs of Muslims.

A careful look at this phenomena speaks to any with a open heart and mind.

I look forward to posting again soon InshaAllah.