OPINION:
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, was sworn into Congress on her personal Koran. “My swearing in on the [Koran] is about me showing that the American people are made up of diverse backgrounds and we all have love of justice and freedom,” Ms. Tlaib told the Detroit Free Press. “My faith has centered me. The prophet Mohammed was always talking about freedom and justice.”
People should thoughtfully consider this statement. It sounds good on the surface, as does much of political rhetoric. However, most Americans are not familiar with the teachings of the Koran or Mohammed. The Koran, specifically Sura 5:51, tells adherents to “take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends.” Sura 9:29 tells them to “fight those who believe not in Allah.” I could list many more Koran references that should make having a leader like Ms. Tlaib concerning.
If Muslim leaders are instructed by the Koran to take neither Jews nor Christians as friends and to fight those who believe not in Allah, that should be a red flag for us. As more Muslims are elected to Congress, will there be a greater push for sharia law in place of the U.S. Constitution?
These thoughts don’t come from Islamophobia; they come from pragmatic thought about our Judeo-Christian heritage and the laws in our nation. As one builds one’s life on truth, a nation should do likewise.
MICHAEL IMHOF
Aurora, Ill.
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