Economy swirling in the sink? Social Security drying up? Massive Oil Spill in the Gulf? No, no, that’s not worth debating. Apparently, the entire United States, all of its media outlets, and politicians are worried about a proposed mosque being built near the site of the former world trade center.

The Cordoba Initiative’s Cordoba House looks to build ” a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City.” Clearly, this is something to be concerned about.
I guess the issue that everyone has with this is that the Cordoba House is a Muslim-Led initiative. Part of this world-class facility is a Mosque for Muslim religious services. According to the many members of GOP, anything involving Muslims is bad.

In a poll released by Quinnipiac University, whose results are supported by a Rasmussen survey, the majority of people questioned were against the building of the Cordoba House. Though no one was asked to give their reasons, talking heads like Pamela Geller and Sarah Palin have stepped up to the plate and given their reasons. On an interview/debate/look at us, we are reporting the news segment on CNN, Geller argued that September 11th was an Islamic attack on America. Sarah Palin sees the Cordoba House as a stab in the heart for the victims of 9/11.

Let’s get some facts straight. First, September 11th was a criminal act committed by delusional and misguided individuals who were not following any of the teachings of Islam, and were in direct contradiction to the teachings of the religion.

Second, Islam is a religion – it is singular and cannot be subcategorized. There is no Liberal Islam, militant Islam, nor Conservative Islam . Muslims come in all shapes and sizes, and just like any other religion, there are pious and non pious individuals who call themselves Muslims. The actions of a few Muslims does not, and never will, define Islam.

Third, any Muslim who acts against peace, justice, freedom, or humanity is not following the teachings of Islam. Muslims who follow the teachings of their religion condemn all acts against of violence against peace and humanity.

Fourth, American Muslims were also victims of the September 11th attacks, losing loved ones in the Towers, the planes, and at the Pentagon. Following the attacks, Muslims were harassed, and killed in a series of hate crimes.

Fifth, Muslims have been, and are a part of the American Military, giving their lives to defend and support their country.

Finally, Muslims are a part of the ‘fabric’ of America. Muslims are valued members of the American society, contributing their time and effort to make America better. They are part of the workforce, in all occupational fields, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, and congressmen. Many have lived here all of their lives, while others have migrated to achieve their American Dream.

So why am I angry? I am angry at the individuals who are using the memory of lost loved ones as a soap box to continue the spread of intolerance in America. I am angry at the wanna be politicians saying “Hey, if you vote for me, I’ll stop the Mosque at ground zero”. I am angry at the talking heads to continue to spread lies and misinformation about a religion who’s millions of followers around the world are pious, law abiding and upstanding citizens. I am angry that the one thing that is proven to combat intolerance and hate is being opposed by a few to gain popularity points. I am angry that out of all of the other important and noteworthy events that deserve our attention, we are being distracted by a building who’s objective is to foster peace and tolerance.

This salvo against Islam from the ‘Right’ is nothing new. The same people who demanded American Muslims apologize for the attacks are the same people who implied that there is something wrong with being a Muslim in America and are the same people who assert the Cordoba House is an attack against America.

Again, let’s be clear – to be against the Cordoba House because it is a Muslim led initiative, or because it will include a building of a mosque is intolerance at its worst. Replace Muslim with Jew, Mosque with Synagogue and you would have everyone calling the opposition anti-Semitic.

This Islamaphoic mentality is not isolated to New York. Across the United States, Muslim Communities are facing fierce, often times angry, and violent protests. In Tennessee and in California, locations far, far away from Ground Zero, residents have resorted to degrading, demining and offensive acts like bringing dogs to protest the proposed Mosque. In Texas, residents organized Pig races to purposely offend Muslims and their proposed Mosque.

What does this show about America? About our Politics? About our morality? We are so quick to condemn the drawing of Swastikas, but when it comes to defending the rights of Muslims, we fall silent?
I am amazed that religious activists and their affiliated groups have spoken out against the Cordoba House. Anti-Defamation League? Opposed. Hindu Leaders? Opposed. Southern Baptist Convention? Opposed. Clearly, they want a more tolerant society, so long as it tolerates them, and only them.

At the same time, I am honored and humbled by the people who are supporting the Cordoba House. Friends of mine who lost loved ones on September 11th support the Cordoba Initiative. New York’s Mayor Bloomberg shows he is above the popularity contest and voices his support for the Cordoba House. Fareed Zakaria returned the award he received by Anti-Defamation League because of their statements against the Cordoba House. And, although he haven’t spoken about the Cordoba House directly, I bring up this video of Collin Powell in 2008.

The September 11th attacks were a terrible, criminal act against America. But the only way to stop terrorism is through proper education of what Islam really is, and prevent the likes of Osama Bin Laden from misguiding and brain washing individuals. If the world wants more ‘Peaceful Muslims’, then we must support beacons of education and tolerance like the Cordoba House.

I would hope that a country whose roots involve immigrants fleeing religious persecution stops to think about what they are doing. I would hope that our politicians and law makers consider that what is just, and what is right, do not always see eye to eye with popular opinion. Desegregation was an unpopular decision, one that many people fought tooth and nail, but our lawmakers and leaders did what was right in spite of public opinion.

I would hope that one day, being a Muslim American won’t sound like a contradiction, and Muslims in America won’t have to prove their patriotism. I would hope that one day, America lives up to those famous words that declared our independence from intolerance and persecution. One day, I hope that Americas will “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Above all else, I hope that we can look past this distraction and focus on the issues worth fighting. There are real problems that need real solutions that deserve our attention.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Computer Science – two words that for some inexplicable reason, makes people think I can fix their computer. I can, don’t get me wrong, I can, but that has nothing to do with my major. Edgar Dijkstra said, “Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes”, and he is correct. Mechanical Engineers don’t fix fan belts, Electrical Engineers don’t fix VCR’s, and Computer Scientists don’t fix computers.

Computer Science is not about solving computer problems – that is almost entirely left to the mathematicians, physicists, and the electrical/computer engineers. Computer Science is the science of applying computers to solve real world problems. We use computers, and programming languages to implement algorithms that solve computationally intense problems. I’d argue that there exists no field in which computer science has not changed. Doctors now have the ability to detect tumors and other problem areas in medical images thanks to applications developed by computer scientists. Engineers can build an entire airplane virtually to exact tolerances and run complete analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of the structure. Cars can now detect collisions through many sensors, and can apply collision avoidance measures. All this is possible because a computer scientist wrote code that changed electrical pulses and manipulated bits.

I consider myself an engineer, even my major says so: BS in Computer Science and Engineering. Yet, many people do not consider Computer Science an Engineering Discipline. Professors of other engineering disciplines actually look down on computer scientists. Freshmen year, I had a professor who legitimately was disappointed when I declared my major. According to Wikipedia, “Engineers work to develop economical and safe solutions to practical problems, by applying mathematics and scientific knowledge while considering technical constraints.” This is what Computer Scientists do; this is exactly what we do. This disparity arises when people frame engineering with the industrial revolution mentality. With all due respect, the industrial revolution is dead. We are in a digital revolution, and have been for over a decade. Success is now dependent on the fast exchange of information, and the ability to process and analyze that data quickly. It is in the spirit of efficiency that computer scientists apply their math and critical thinking skills to improve the world around them. To deny computer scientists the title of engineer is equivalent to calling a doctor a nurse.

Though, I believe it is time for Computer Science education to grow up. Computer Science is taught in isolation, with artificial restraints. Computer scientists need to work with other disciplines and bridge the gaps to develop cohesive, all encompassing solutions to the problems that plague our society. There has to be a paradigm shift in institutions. Computer Scientists must be willing to work with other disciplines, and other disciplines must be willing to work with us, and inevitably, someone is going to have to force us to work together.

Fresh from our garden. Pencil for scale.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry