Torkelson: Curious let questions fly about Islam

By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 14, 2006 at midnight

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The middle-aged woman and her retired mother decided to come Sunday to the first "community open house" sponsored by the Colorado Muslim Society. Of the more than 100 curious Coloradans who packed the fellowship hall of the state's largest mosque at 2071 S. Parker Road, none was more wary than that mother and daughter.

"No, we won't give our names," the daughter said. "I'm fearful of the Islamic culture. There's 9/11, al-Qaida - we're concerned about Islamic extremists. But that's why we wanted to come."

"I'm really curious," the mother said.

As Muslim kids played on swing sets outside, Muslim adults mingled with their non-Muslim neighbors, munched on tasty Middle Eastern food, and listened to questions fly about terrorism, Islam's role in the world and (inevitably) the 72 virgins.

"I'm here to learn, keep an open mind," said Liam Montflor.

Another attendee, secretary of state candidate Mike Coffman, who rejoined the Marines to serve in Iraq for six months, said it's the first time he remembers the Muslim community reaching out to elected officials as other ethnic groups routinely do.

The heart of the afternoon was an extended sermon on the glories of Islam by the mosque's spiritual leader, Imam Ammar Amonette.

Then came the questions.

"Who are the infidels?" somebody asked.

Not an Islamic term, Amonette said. If you want to know who qualifies as Islam's enemy, he offered what Osama bin Laden believes: "Bin Laden says America has driven so much hatred in the world. You notice (terrorists)aren't targeting Japan or China; it's the West. It has nothing to do with infidels."

Historically, Amonette said, it was European Christians, never Muslims, who tried to root out those who didn't agree with them.

"Civilization flourished under Islam," he said.

In a different format, such assessments could provoke chewy debate, but on this day Amonette's answers stood alone.

Listeners with Iran and Hezbollah on their minds said they also questioned Amonette's next assessment.

"Muslims are in a weak position in the world," he said. "We don't possess the world's great armaments. We don't have nukes and tanks and bombers; it's the other side who has those."

Explain the 72 virgins, somebody asked, referring to the Quran's promise of the delights which await martyrs in paradise.

"In paradise they will have pure wives . . . and servants waiting on them," Amonette said.

"Certainly," he added, "a martyr is not a person who commits suicide or does evil."

During a break, Cindy Souser, who is Jewish, sought out Amonette. "I have not heard Muslims in the U.S. speak out against terrorism," she told him. Amonette said Muslims do speak out, but often get ignored by the media.

"Take out an ad in the paper, like the Anti-Defamation League does," Souser urged. "Right now we're not hearing the outrage, and, I swear to God, I'm listening."

The unidentified woman and her mother? They left dissatisfied, saying they didn't hear a ringing condemnation of terrorism.

Cathi Kolehmainen, however, left feeling happy.

"This community opened itself up for a great dialogue," she said. "If we can learn to see each other individually, then perhaps we can talk about peace."

torkelsonj@RockyMountainnews.com or 303-954-5055

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