Insight Matters
Fall, 2001

Peace Be Upon You

Chair's Note: As we all struggle to find a way to cope with this war and help our patients and other Americans deal with these stressors, there is a particular group of people among us who really need our understanding: Americans of Islamic faith. I asked my dear friend and colleage, Dr. Sehba Siddiqi, to try to put into words how these people may feel at this time, and the kind of struggle with which they are dealing She awoke at 3 a.m., inspired to write the moving personal remarks that follow.
- Paulette Gillig, M.D.
Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Minority/Underrepresented Groups

"Asalaam-Alaikum" means "Peace Be Upon You." It is the Muslim greeting, but frequently "Salaam," meaning "Peace," is used. However, since September 11 this has become a rare commodity. The brutal and wanton murder of thousands of innocent people filled all of us with outrage and horror! My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who are suffering.

This intolerable crime against humanity cannot be justified, and to think that these savage acts of terrorism are in any form related to Islam or The Quran is erroneous. In fact, it is clearly stated in The Quran that "to kill an innocent being is like killing entire humanity." These terrorists are distorting Islam for their own pernicious hatred and paranoid beliefs.

Islam means submission to one God, and it came into existence approximately fourteen hundred and twenty-two years ago, when Mohammed (peace be upon him) started receiving divine revelation through angel Gabriel. The Holy Book is called The Quran and the five pillars of Islam are:
(1) belief in one God and that Mohammed (peace be upon him) is the last messenger of God,
(2) praying five times a day,
(3) fasting and abstaining from temptations during the month of Ramadan,
(4) giving charity to poor and needy and
(5) Pilgrimage to Mecca to perform Hajj at the Kaaba which was build by Abraham, and is the most sacred and Holy site in Islam.

The word Jihad is being misused and distorted by the terrorists. Jihad means struggle and is mostly directed towards one own self to lead a clean and charitable life for the benefit of family and community. In Islam, war is only permitted in self-defense.

It is clearly stated in The Quran that we have to believe in the Holy Books sent before The Quran, i.e. The Torah and The Bible, and respect the People of the Book, i.e. the Jews and the Christians and live in harmony with them.

During this uncertain and precarious time, my fear and concern is for the safety and well-being of all Americans and especially for my kids and other Americans of Islamic faith who not only will have to put up with acts of terrorism perpetrated against all Americans but also endure insults, racial profiling and acts of violence from some of their fellow countrymen for the way they look or dress. On the other hand, I am always comforted by the caring colleagues and coworkers who are supportive and understanding, and had recently assured me they will come and get me if I was pulled off the plane during my recent air travel. As one of the nurses said, "They won't do that to you; you are one of us." I will always cherish this sentiment, and hope that everyone here could look at me through her eyes.

As an American, my love and loyalty is for America, because this is my home and the only home my children know, and we all value the freedom it represents. I am also worried about the safety of my husband's and my families in Pakistan who are hoping and praying for stability and peace.
I have great faith in our democracy and strongly believe in..."One Nation Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice For All."

Sehba N. Siddiq, M.D.

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