Rev. King’s Spirit Can Foster Positive Ties With Muslims

By Nasir Ahmad
January 13, 2012
1 Min read
In Islam, Letters, Loyalty, United States
R

Monday marks the 26th anniversary of the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While we commemorate the sacrifices this great leader made, Americans, including Muslim Americans, must remember the spirit of change that the civil rights movement embodied. The same spirit is required today to change the false perceptions of Islam in America.

According to a 2010 Pew poll, fewer Americans have a favorable view of Islam as compared to 2005. A strong effort from both Muslim and non-Muslim Americans is required to bring about a favorable change.

Muslim Americans must foster friendships with their neighbors and community, and, through service, win over people’s hearts. Non-Muslim Americans must separate the actions of rogue factions from the larger Muslim American population.

In this way, we will be honoring the legacy of service and inclusiveness Dr. King’s mission embodied.

Originally published in the Asbury Park Press

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Nasir Ahmad

Clinical Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Rutgers University, and specialist in Infectious Diseases, Nasir is the recipient of the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Gold) in 2009. He writes on various topics including Islam in America, patriotism, religious freedom, etc and has published extensively both locally and nationally.

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