All Muslims not responsible for violent few

Many Americans are angry at all Muslims because the Tuesday’s attacks were perpetrated by Islamic zealots. The front of a mosque was shown on television, peppered with bullet-holes. Messages of hate fill the Internet, talk radio waves and even the halls of our schools. “Kill all rag-heads! Get those sand niggers! Round up all them Muslims!”

We cannot blame an entire people for the actions of cowardly terrorists. The Bill of Rights applies to all Americans, regardless of religion and ethnicity. The American people must continue to support the fundamental human freedoms that have made our country great.

Freedom of religion is a basic human right guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution. There are between six and seven million Islamic Americans, including the boxing legend Muhammad Ali. They are not all extremists and their leaders have publicly condemned yesterday’s cowardly acts of terror. They point out that the Koran, the Muslims’ holy book, forbids attacks on civilians as well as suicide. We must also remember that Islam and Christianity have much in common, including the teachings of Jesus, whom Muslims consider a prophet. To take away their freedom is to place our own in jeopardy.

Thankfully, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is increasing security around New York City’s predominantly Muslim districts to protect these people from misdirected acts of vengeance. The whole country must follow his example. The past gives us a harrowing vision of another possible outcome. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, 120,000 Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps without trials. Like today’s Muslim Americans, they were a racial minority seen as religious fanatics who would die to serve their god (the Japanese emperor).

Nevertheless, young Japanese Americans fought and died for their country during World War II. Their patriotism was even more profound in light of their ill treatment by the United States. In 1987, the Supreme Court called internment “one of the worst violations of civil liberties in American history.” We Americans must look back on the past with open eyes and learn from our mistakes.

Fuad Sahouri, chairmen of the Arab American Business and Professional Association, announced, “It’s very important now for Arab-Americans that their loyalty never be brought into question. We are Americans first.” All Americans have the right to a public trial by an impartial jury.

What is America? I believe it is the American Dream, not of economic prosperity, but of freedom. We are currently at war with terrorists. They have destroyed the hearts of our financial district and military, but they haven’t killed America. We must support our country and our president in bringing justice upon “the terrorists who committed the attacks and those who harbor them.” At the same time, we must work to protect the constitutional freedoms of all Americans. It is in times of danger that people are most willing to sacrifice rights, especially those of minorities.

We must cling to these rights, and preserve the American dream.

Jean Hamlin is a 16-year-old resident of Milo.