Turning Point in Life, Essay Example

A country’s commitment to its stated ideologies is best tested during the times of challenges and crisis. The United States has longed pride itself on its commitment to freedom and liberty for all the people living within its boundaries irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and gender. In the recent past, no other event has tested the character of the nation like the tragic events that took place September 9, 2011. The events forced many people to not only question United States’ relationship with the Muslim world but also wonder whether the country needs to limit immigration, particularly from Muslim countries. The assumption was that Muslims will never embrace American values of freedom of religion and speech and their loyalty will always be to their religion first and then the United States.

Last year, the proposed construction of aMuslim Community Center known as the Park51 just two blocks from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, turned into an intense debate. The issue became so huge that even the President of the country was forced to express his opinion. The opponents argued that the site will re-open the wounds of the survivors of the 9/11 victims because the hijackers were Muslim terrorists. The supporters argued that the terrorists didn’t represent the entire Muslim community and Muslims have as much right to practice their faith as anyone else in America. Their right to practice their religion is protected by the American constitution and by denying them the right to build the community center will violate the basic American values of freedom of speech and religion. But no one’s ideas represented American values as eloquently as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s speech on the Governors Island. Among other things, Mayor Bloomberg reminded his fellow Americans that by treating Muslims differently, we would betray our values and play into enemy’s hands. In America, everyone has equal rights to practice his/her religion and state and church are separate according to our constitution.

America’s enemies gather support for their cause by declaring that America is at war with Islam. They hate American values of liberty and freedom and oppose the idea of separation of state and religion. Preventing the construction of Muslim Community Center will only be an affirmation of their claims. There was a picture on the internet in which one of the protestors was carrying a banner stating, “You can build a Mosque at Ground Zero when we can build a Synagogue in Mecca.” But the protestor failed to realize the actual point. This is exactly what separates America from other countries because you can’t enjoy the freedom of speech in Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran like you can in America. Preventing the construction of the Islamic Center will leave little difference between America and the traditional Muslim countries. America can’t promote liberty in other countries if it can’t guarantee that within its own borders. The City of New York eventually approved the proposed construction plan for the Islamic Community Center. It convinced me that America just doesn’t talk about democracy and freedom of speech but actually enforce them to become a practical example for the world.

It is in times like these that the true character of the nations comes out. Events done in the name of religions have the potential to cause widespread rifts between different religious groups but it is in the American character to not equate the crime of the few with the whole group. In America, it is ok to have different beliefs and opinions because it is a sign of a healthy democracy. But for liberty and freedom of speech to flourish, minorities should feel as much safe as the majority in expressing their views and practicing their beliefs.