I'm not sure what readers will think of my Q&A with Dr. Amjad Hussain, a local surgeon and Muslim, headlined "Bridging the Divide." The interview was published today in The Blade's Behind the News section (read it here).
I know that covering religion for a mainstream newspaper is fraught with peril -- certain topics generate negative responses no matter how carefully one approaches the subject. Islam is one such topic. Whenever I write an article that I feel is "right down the middle," trying to be objective and factual without bashing mercilessly or overlooking the obvious, I get hate mail.
The fact is, people have strong feelings about Islam, and understandably so in the wake of 9/11 and the beheadings of captured Westerners.
But readers should realize that the vast majority of Muslims, especially those who immigrated to the United States, are good people who came here because of our freedoms and opportunities. Many of them have sons and daughters fighting on the front lines in Iraq. They are solid citizens who are as appalled as anyone by the actions of a handful of extremists-terrorists, and probably even more appalled because it is their faith that has been mangled and abused to justify the horrors.

So if I write something about Muslims that an Islamophobe considers too kind, I get blasted. And if I write something too harsh, the good citizen Muslims are offended.
Sigh. I'm used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it.
However, as of this minute I've received only one email response, and it was extremely positive -- written by a Christian chaplain, he said he appreciates and agrees with Amjad's efforts to promote peaceful coexistence without feeling compelled to convert non-Muslims.
But normally the negative responses do not come immediately, but only after the article is passed along by people who take issue with it.
I think Dr. Hussain is a good spokesman for reason and cooperation. He loves his religion but does not consider himself superior to non-Muslims. He wants to live in peace and harmony. He personally goes out of his way to promote good will and peace. If only more Americans, of all faiths, would work that hard.
I'm glad I had the chance to spend an afternoon with Amjad and I hope you find the interview and subsequent Q&A article to be as informative and encouraging as I do.
Toledo, Ohio, May 20, 2007