A Muslim's faith in America - By Haris Tarin, Los Angeles Times

An Afghan family who moved to the U.S. three decades ago marveled at the openness and welcoming nature of the American people and government. But things have changed after Sept. 11.

Yet today, I am afraid for my children. I am afraid that when they turn the TV on, or listen to the radio (which I now turn off when we are in the car), they will receive a very different message from the one my father shared with us. The message they hear today is of intolerance. Whether it be about an Islamic center in New York blocks from ground zero or a mosque in Temecula, their faith is being openly and viciously maligned, and they themselves are made to feel responsible for the attacks on 9/11.

My children were born here, and they consider themselves as wholly American, but I fear that the current discourse about their faith and their houses of worship will have a devastating effect on them. -- My father knew something greater about America than what is spouted by Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and the host of professional bigots who have built a cottage industry out of Muslim-baiting. He knew that the power of America is in its acceptance and openness. ... - A Muslim's faith in America

Opinion: Has the US closed the door on American Muslims?‎