There are so many shared values in this holiday season including peace. Although Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, they celebrate the message of Jesus (peace be upon him) everyday. Muslims love Jesus and his mother, The Virgin Mary, as she is described as the most honored woman on Earth with an the entire chapter in the Holy Qura'an named after her. The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him is only mentioned 5 times in the Qura'an, while the Prophet Jesus ( PBUH)was mentioned 25 times. This reflects how Muslims cherish Jesus and his Mother, the Virgin Mary,(peace be upon them) as well as their common message of peace.
Looking at current world events, we know that we have to work together to achieve the common goal of peace similar to the ways of the Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus peace be upon them. Talking is not enough, so proposed remedies and solutions to achieve peace locally and globally are needed. With common enemies such as ignorance and hate there is a duty we all have to combat such notions. As we see in current events, violent terrorists groups are killing innocent civilians with a majority of these casualties being Muslims. Their ideology as well as their actions create a wedge between Islam and the West which as we see is impacting the legislature of bringing refugees, asylum and immigration to the west from the Muslim World.
When we shut the door in the faces of refugees , this creates a recruitment tool for these "thugs" into their twisted ideology. And when they see Islamophobic acts and remarks such as those made by presidential candidate, Donald Trump, they will have even more people believing their sick narrative.
Such reckless, irresponsible and hateful statements will jeopardize world peace and will send a wrong message that would hurt America's image and interests around the world. As for Mr. Trump it will get him disqualification form his candidacy and he will loose his business globally. Contrary to what he claims as a successful business man that he "gets along with everybody" he is actually doing the opposite with his hateful statements such as his false claim that there was cheering after the falling of the world trade center after 9/11 just to get his numbers up in the polls.
So here is a prescription to achieve peace locally and globally:
Support legislation to ban fire arms purchase without going through background checks!
Support the work done by Secretary of DHS Jeh Johnson who visited community mosques and acknowledged their significant contribution in working well with law enforcement. Such actions will push terrorists groups such as ISIS out of their propaganda business as America will stand united against them and their sick ideology. Similarly, FBI Director, James Comey has expressed the excellent relationships with the Muslim community claiming that they have been very helpful.
During this holiday season with so many parties and gift exchanges, as it has always been, give generously and invite your neighbors, Muslim, Christian or Jewish do not differentiate and do not let such hatred come between the positive relationships you have with one another. Together we can fight ignorance, hunger, disease, hatred and global climate change and bring peace on Earth to all of us.
Happy Holidays !