nbcrusader said:
Perhaps it would be helpful for the Muslim community to (i) educate the US public on the basic tenants of Islam (not the simplistic "we worship the same God" stuff, but the 5 pillars, etc.) and (ii) take a more vocal role against the militant elements of the Islamic faith.
i agree with the former part, most people i talk to get shocked when they hear that we believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, and believe in him as a prophet and the coming Messiah... the second part I think the muslim community does do a lot of but no one really takes notice... organizations like the Islamic Society of North America, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and high profile muslims like Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) continually denounce specific terrorist acts in press conferences/press releases.. but no one ever reports it