Firsthand account of anti-Muslim hate (Cincin Enquirer on Yee)

[struggle4progress]

By Karen J. Dabdoub
Guest columnist

Hateful, negative rhetoric regarding Muslims is on the increase both in tone and frequency. It has almost become socially acceptable to engage in bigoted and racist speech about Muslims. More frightening is the reality that the hateful thoughts and speech can turn into hateful, even violent action, either of which can ruin an innocent person's life. This is what happened to James Yee.

Not too long ago, hate and fear turned into hateful action that will permanently affect the life of Yee, a third generation Chinese-American. A convert to Islam and an Islamic scholar, Yee was an Army chaplain who, post-9/11, served in the military with great distinction. Despite his outstanding work at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, the military became suspicious of Yee's daily routine of prayer, reading Scripture and spending time with his fellow co-religionists.

Dark motives were assigned to Yee's actions where there were none. He was accused of espionage and imprisoned for months in solitary confinement. His reputation was destroyed. Eventually the Army had to admit that it had no real evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Yee, forcing them to release him and restore his rank. <snip>

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050308/EDIT02/503080311

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. and the saddest thing

is that Yee is a Sufi, the most liberal sect of Islam.