WASHINGTON – I, for one, am sick of seeing on television these self-proclaimed Arab-American "leaders" serving as apologists for tyranny and terrorism, while condemning the United States and the one self-governing free people in the Middle East – Israel.
I tell you this as an "Arab-American" myself – but one who chooses to identify himself as a hyphenated American only to counteract the notion that all Americans of Arabic heritage think like the James Zogbys of the world.
Let me tell you something: I am an Arab-American. I have an Arabic surname. I look Middle Eastern. I travel extensively. I meet lots of people. Not once before or since Sept. 11 have I ever been the target of any discrimination whatsoever from any American.
Could I possibly be such a rare exception? I have lived on this planet for 47 years. Could I be missing something? I don't think so.
So, why do we need an Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee anyway? Why do we need an American Muslim Alliance? Why do we need an American Muslim Council? Why do we need a Council on American-Islamic Relations?
We don't. But those groups need America. They need the freedom we have in this country to operate their nonprofit, tax-exempt corporations. They need the face time they get on television to spew their propaganda. Just imagine someone trying to make a living criticizing the government back in the Arab world – or the broader Muslim world.
I've got to tell you that I'm more than a little surprised at the reaction of Americans since Sept. 11. I fully expected that I would see more resentment against Arabs and Muslims expressed in visible ways. I even expected to witness some of this understandable rage first hand.
I haven't. Not once.
It's a testament to the American people. They are big-hearted, fair and open-minded people – almost to a fault.
In many ways, they've been conned by the professional "Arab-Americans" and "Muslim Americans."
Ten days after the Sept. 11 disaster, I wrote these words: "Arab-Americans need to understand the suspicions they are bound to encounter as a result of the heinous attack. We have a special obligation to make clear where we stand and to do what is necessary to help our country – the United States of America – deal with our common enemy."
But it never came to that. There never have been those suspicions. Incredibly, Americans have not blamed Arabs – or even Muslims – for the attack on their country. Not at all.
Meanwhile, I've been repulsed by the arrogant, condemning attitudes expressed by the professional "Arab-Americans" and "Muslim Americans." They attacked President Bush when he froze the assets of terrorist front groups posing as charities in the U.S. They threatened to sue me and WorldNetDaily when we exposed those groups. They intimidate. They harass. They bully. They coerce.
On Fox News Channel the other day, the host asked me whether American Muslims should have second thoughts "ratting out" their neighbors and friends who might have terrorist connections.
I say any Arab-American or Muslim-American who has divided loyalties is no American at all. He or she should get the hell out of my country. If I'm the only Arab-American proudly standing up tall for America, I will continue to do so. But I would like to see more Arab-Americans – particularly Muslims – do that, too, without any qualifiers, without any ifs, ands or buts.
Let me tell you a little story. Many years ago, when I began traveling to the Middle East, I noticed I received unusual security attention from El Al personnel. It became quite clear to me that this was no coincidence, but a natural result of my Arabic surname. Did I become upset about this? No. Were my rights violated? No. This was a sensible security precaution taken by a nation under siege – a nation that understood the threat of Arab airline hijackings 25 years before Sept. 11.
Despite all the cry-baby belly-aching by the professional "Arab-Americans," this quite understandable form of racial profiling still has not occurred in America.
I wish other Arab-Americans would see just how blessed they are to live in a country like this. What a time it would be for Arab-Americans to decide they are Americans first and by choice, and Arabs only by ethnic background.
It's a simple choice: Where is our allegiance?
Special Offer!
Cruise the Mediterranean with the Farahs! Spend 12 luxurious days visiting Italy, Turkey, Greece, Greek Islands. Availability is limited, so act now.