Fight fear

To the editor:

The recent controversy surrounding the building of an Islamic worship and cultural learning center in lower Manhattan and the subsequent planned burning of the Quran by the 30-member Florida church saddens me.

We are asked to believe that the objection is the center’s proximity to the fallen World Trade Center. I believe both stem from fear.

Fear springs from the unknown. Think back to childhood when the night’s darkness seemed to hide all sorts of “lurking creatures.” Only experiencing that darkness at the side of someone we trusted eased those fears. Did the darkness change or creatures disappear? No. It was our knowledge of the darkness that changed. Unfamiliarity with the beliefs and customs of those unlike ourselves feeds our fears and will spread to others unless we take steps to “know” the darkness.

Muslims recently observed the holy month of Ramadan, which demands reflection, prayer, self-sacrifice, and fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Ramadan is set by the lunar calendar, not political preference. The Muslim holiday, Eid ul Fitr (“breaking of the fast”), marks the end of Ramadan with a festive celebration. This year, Eid falls on or near Sept. 11. But it is not “a celebration” of the anniversary of Sept. 11.

Non-Muslims wanting to learn more about Islam can find resources online or at the Lawrence Public Library — even better, they can take steps to meet and befriend a Muslim living in our community. It is far more difficult to fear those we know as friends.