Recipe for hysteria

It is no surprise that Rudy Giuliani has jumped on the “ground zero” bandwagon to boost his political fortunes by encouraging abandonment of the Constitution’s “hands-off” protection of religious liberty.

Cordoba House is intended to replace the Islamic Center across the street that’s been there for years. Does Giuliani want the Muslims to abandon that one, too? Or the mosque two blocks farther away from ground zero, which can’t be seen from any of the sites?

There’s a vocal minority who inflame commotion – this time into “national hysteria” – whenever moderate Islam is articulated or demonstrated in the public eye. I’ve watched the tactic in Web discussion forums for 10 years and on the ground for much longer.

Falsely portray what the Muslim proponents are doing, stir up fear, make false accusations and create a brouhaha, which eventually causes the “leaders” to cry, “Peace! Peace!” and there is no peace until the minority rabble-rousers get their way.

Is this how Americans want to decide whether or not the Constitution – and their protected rights along with it – is the law of the land?

Imam Bedreddin Iman

Springdale, Wash.