To the Editor:

Widespread reports of Muslim terrorist activity in the media of late, and the incessant drumbeat of political rhetoric, have combined to stoke our fears about exercising our historic American hospitality to “welcome the stranger” by hosting refugees. Countries much less affluent than we have far outstripped us, percentage wise, in providing food and shelter to those who have lost everything due to violence or natural disaster. 

My experience with Muslim people has been quite different. While living for extended periods of time in countries where Muslims (and adherents of other religions) significantly outnumbered Christians (e.g., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palestine. Hong Kong, Korea) and visiting others for shorter periods of time (China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Israel), my wife and I have had nothing but the most cordial, constructive, and harmonious relations with the local populations. Also, while actively sponsoring refugees in another U.S. locale, we found the experience to be stimulating and enriching. 

In both types of experience we have been able to learn from other cultures, receive generous hospitality, and put into practice American values of service, unselfishness, and benevolence. When we allow our attitudes and behavior to be governed by fear and security concerns, however, we negate our rich national heritage of welcoming the stranger, forego opportunities for learning and growth, and project a selfish, mean-spirited image. 

Sad to say, this latter attitude has seemed to prevail in our country ever since 9/11. Hate crimes against Muslims have tripled, exacerbated by irresponsible speechifying and biased commentary. Bigotry, hate mail, school bullying, and (not always veiled) incitement to violence are openly expressed. Many American Muslims live in constant fear of rejection and persecution. The media focuses on the negative, “terrorist” dimension, while stories about Muslim contributions to society, both here and abroad, are hard to find. 

Hate, violence, intolerance, and religious persecution have been practiced in every age, nation, and culture — as much or more in so-called “Christian” eras and countries as in any other. Treatment of Native Americans, Chinese, Mormons, African Americans, Jews, etc., in our history are prime examples. Rather than “the pot calling the kettle black,” can we not put our best foot forward by reaching out with welcome and support for the “others” who are already here, open our hearts and homeland to human beings fleeing war, famine, and persecution in places like Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Burma, and support their desire and motivation to make a new life for themselves and become contributing members of our society, as the ancestors of most of us have always done? 

Doug Wingeier

Waynesville