For me, most significant moment of Colin Powell’s appearance was not his endorsement of Barack Obama but his statement about the role of Islam in America. He spoke about how Republicans have turned being a Muslim into a slur and spoke movingly about the death of Army Spc. Kareem R. Khan, a Muslim-American soldier. Khan died when an improvised explosive device blew up on August 6, 2007 in Baqubah. He had already won a purple heart. A bit more about Khan from a Gannett account after his death:
Spurred by the Septermber 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Khan, a 2005 graduate of Southern Regional High School, wanted to show that not all Muslims were fanatics and that many, like him, were willing to lay their lives down for their country, America. He enlisted immediately after graduation and was sent to Iraq in July 2006. So when his father, Feroze “Roy” Khan, saw three soldiers walking up to his door on Monday, he knew what it meant. Specialist Kareem Khan, 20, was killed with four others earlier this week when a blast destroyed a house he and members of his division, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, were clearing in Baqouba, Iraq. Khan’s faith in Islam is important now to his father and stepmother, Nisha Khan, because they want to make sure people in America know that Muslims like Kareem were willing to fight for their country. “His Muslim faith did not make him not want to go. It never stopped him,” said Feroze Khan. “He looked at it that he’s American and he has a job to do.” The last package Nisha Khan, 40, sent her stepson included a necklace that had Kareem’s name in Arabic, next to the word “Bismillah,” which means praise to Allah.
Colin Powell said on Meet the Press:
I’m also troubled by – not what Senator McCain says – but what members of the Party say, and it is permitted to be said: such things as, “Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.” Well, the correct answer is he is not a Muslim. He’s a Christian; has always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, “What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?” The answer’s “No, that’s not America.” Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be President? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own Party drop the suggestion he’s Muslim and he might be associated with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery. And she had her head on the headstone of her son’s grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards – Purple Heart, Bronze Star; showed that he died in Iraq; gave his date of birth, date of death. He was twenty years old. And then at the very top of the headstone, it didn’t have a Christian cross. It didn’t have a Star of David. It had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Karim Rashad Sultan Kahn. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey, he was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11 and he waited until he could go serve his country and he gave his life. Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I’m troubled about the fact that within the Party we have these kinds of expressions.
This part of Powell’s statement starts around 4:38.
posted October 19, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I was nearly moved to tears. I had forgotten how good a man Powell was after that U.N. debacle. Good women and good men need to return to the White House. Out with the thieves. I think we have all eaten enough cake; let us have justice!
Barak ‘n’ Joe ’08!
posted October 19, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I believe most muslims have gotten a bad wrap and i happen to know we have alot of muslim polititions in WASHINGTON that havent been speaking up or maybe just arent being heard,to be predudice againtst ones religion should eqaul racism and should never be tolerated in AMERICA.I share the upmost respect for COLLIN POWEL and trust his endorsment of OBAMA and reasoning,we have to move beond bias and seperation to unity and occomplishment to stand behind our leaders nomatter what race creed,religion they are i believe they both have nothing but the best interest of the nation in mind and should be prooven with swift/decisive action apon election.
posted October 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm
If only Powell had run in 2000. He surely would have been our first African-American president. It is a tragedy that he lent his good name and expertise to such a corrupt administration. But now Mr. Powell exhibits one of the things I love about our country – we have limitless opportunities to rise to our greater potential. I look forward to hearing from him more in the future.
posted October 19, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I want to really thank Colin Powell, on behalf of all Americans, for seeking to elevate the discourse in this way. I have been sickened and disheartened by the clips from McCain/Palin rallies exposing the bald hatred and predjudice of their following. I will be so thankful to have an Administration that I can support and be proud of come January, and I hope that this can hope to heal us as a country and move beyond the lower base instincts so exploited by the neconservative fringe of the Republican party. Thank you Powell for helping to make this happen, and especially for this reminder of we really are as Americans – a nation of immigrants based in a respect of all religions and beliefs. I pray that we can grow to show more tolerance and respect of difference and our unique and hopefully more positive role of our nation in the future. Obama/Biden ’08
posted October 19, 2008 at 6:10 pm
My respect for Powell just went up 100%.
posted October 19, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Someone had to say what he said about U.S. Muslims – but no one has up to now. He will be remembered for those remarks longer than his endorsement. I wonder how the McCain camp can slam this one!
posted October 19, 2008 at 9:03 pm
General Powell reminded me that we are americans first, whether republican, democrat, Christian, or Muslim. He’s a great example of what we can be.
posted October 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
What a statement! I am so proud and honored by General Powell’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. Most especially, the reasons he gave. This is the ” “UNITED” States of America” not the divided States of America. I am proud of this country. Go Obama.
posted October 19, 2008 at 9:53 pm
My deepest sympathy to the parents of Kareem Khan.
That said the discussion on whether a muslim could be president is a valid one. All the key religions put the word of god above all other authority. They also embed the requirement to extend the influence of that religious doctrine into the religion. Islam as it is currently interpreted allows very little flexibility in this area. A muslim woman must take a muslim husband, the death penalty for leaving the religion.
The idea that the influence of an imaginary being could be used to overide the democratic process simply because “god” demanded it scares me . As an atheist I dont want to see god in politics or administration at all. I vote for a person not their imaginary friend.
posted October 19, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Soon the United States will no longer be the greatest country to live in, but will instead be compared to third-world countries. These countries enjoy paganism as their leading religions, while currently the United States is a Christian country. We have had the opportunity to enjoy wealth and prosperity in our country, but if we throw God out, then the people of the United States will face the reprecussions. You might want to visit some third-world countries just so you can be prepared when it does happen!!
posted October 20, 2008 at 12:20 am
Crystal, your comment is so ignorant that I hope no one will tale it serious. 5 out of the top 10 countries with the largest Christian populations in the world are third-word countries. That has not translated into prosperity and wealth (Mexico, Philippines, Nigeria, DR Congo). Many more like the Dominican republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, etc are DE FACTO Christian countries yet they are among the poorest in the world. Go figure !
posted October 20, 2008 at 3:20 am
Michael, I think your comment is typical of what Colin Powell is talking about. In that your fed half truths about Islam in this case, and then attempt to pass those off as facts and consequently demonise the religion! Your statement could not be further from the truth, as there is no punishment of any sort for leaving Islam, not in this life anyway. Furthermore, your argument that a woman is obligated to marry a Muslim man whereas a man can marry who he pleases is also simply not true! Every man and woman has the right to marry who he or she pleases according to Islam.
The notion that a Muslim would not be able to run the country because he would bring religion into play is ludicrous, especially seen as the current president said religion played a big role in his policy decisions! In fact, I cant remember the last time a non-religious man ran for office in this country! I would like to think a Muslim ruling a nation of non Muslims would rule in a more secular way than anyone, as is the case in countries like India!
posted October 20, 2008 at 5:21 am
General Powell was prophetic in regard to his statements concerning this war and the demonizing of muslims in America. In order to condone the actions in Iraq, muslims must first be demonized so that killing them will seem like the “right” thing to do. Sadly, there are several thousand Kareem Khan’s. They may not all share the same faith, but they definitely shared the same demise. Too many parents have lost their sons and daughters in Iraq. We have to get out of there, and that is why I am voting for Barack Obama. Our servicemen and women have made enough sacrifices already.
posted October 20, 2008 at 8:56 am
I am honored by the comments made by Gen. Powell on Meet The Press Sunday. Islam is a beautiful religion. I agree there are people who are extremists and they do things wrong big time, but Republicans making the religion a slur is horrible and does not have any place in American politics. Go Obama ’08.
posted October 20, 2008 at 10:39 am
Michael’s key objection is a valid one, though given that I am acquainted with Muslims in mixed marriages who are still alive I do wonder about his factual command. It is necessary to add, however, that his objection is valid only if it extends to all religions uniformly.
Perhaps we should let Michael and Crystal slug it out. If only because of their relative numbers in America the “Christian nation”, I encounter more offensive sentiment from Christians on this account than anyone else.
I certainly did not sweat through three years in the Navy on behalf of Jesus Christ. I understand my duties to the Buddha and the Dharma and take them seriously. I understand my duties as a citizen as well and do not presume to use the laws to ask fellow citizens to take on my personal religious obligations.
Those who aren’t willing to be loyal Americans and adhere to this standard should really think about whether they belong in this country. I’d be eager to donate to a collection to buy Crystal a one-way ticket to Saudi Arabia, where God unapologetically rules the state. Anyone else?
posted October 20, 2008 at 11:14 am
I went to vote yesterday, but the polls had closed and I’m going back next weekend. I was going to vote for Bob Barr, but after Colin Powell’s appeal, I may follow his suggestion. I can trust a Muslim as much as a Methodist. Its fundamentalist that I have a problem with.
posted October 20, 2008 at 11:14 am
Powell’s endorsement and his eloquence on behalf of both Obama and on the sacrfice of American Muslim soldiers reminds me that America’s best days are ahead of us.
I was thinking about the Saturday Night Live lampooning of the woman in Minnesota who said to John McCain that Obama was an Arab. It was a very funny lampoon, and in some respects, deserved. But I think the correct response to fear of this sort is not mockery, but compassion.
We have nothing to fear from an Obama presidency, even though he may make some mistakes, and I am sure he will take some positions with which I don’t agree.
But, he’s not going to lower America’s profile in the world, instead, as Powell said, he is more likely to electrify the world and electrify America.
posted October 20, 2008 at 11:53 am
“I would rather be ruled by a wise Turk (Muslin) than an incompetant Christian.” –Martin Luther ( the founder of Protestantism)
The only thing that matters is that Obama is an American, born in the United States of America and is old enough by law to hold the office. The fact that he is smarter, more stable and kinder than McCain is a plus.
Tina Fey said that Palin is as smart as she is but that is not enough to be president. It is good to know your limitations. I just wish that Palin acted more like the Christian she claims to be and stop the hate mongering. The letter of James the brother of Christ should be read daily by the “God’s Own Party” so they know how to behave as Christians.
posted October 20, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I have more respect for Mr Khan an America who gave his life up to defend America over Joe the Plumer who only seem to complain about Taxs. MR Khan died for all of us.
posted October 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Dear All.
In our journey of self realization in a world which is constantly changing, I have found the words of Colin Powell yesterday on meet the press is a testament to the greatness of this man, not only because of his boldness in supporting Obama, crossing his party lines , rebuking cronyism of his party in a form of choosing Sarah Palins despite her clear lacking of qualifications on so many fronts, but also his timely and very surprising statements of denouncing the politics of fear, racisms and challenging the American culture to denounce Islamo phobia.
His statements in my opinion is by far the biggest bomb shell to all hat mongers and is rectification to his previous stand with the current administration regarding the war in Iraq.
Live is the best documentary film for our own values and believes. Collin Powell’s interview will be one of those pivotal ones in the history of Muslims in a America, because it opened the doors of the subconscious mind of the American society to something probable and may be in the realm of possible which is a Muslim man or women could be the next president of the United States of America and I quote ( what is wrong with a 7 years old Muslim boy or girl who wants to be the president of united states). what a powerful statement in a very tumultuous time for Muslims.
The prophet (pbah) once ask Allah (SWT), to glorify and strengthen the Islam with two men, Omar Ben Khatab or Omar Ben Hesham, it happened that non of them were Muslims. and the wisdom behind the prophet’s asking is the personal characters and attributes of both men. Having said that , I am not suggesting that Colin Powell becomes Muslim because its something in ALLAH’s hand, but its worth noticing that , admiring someone positions and attributes is an Islamic etiquette and value we have to embrace.
I would like to end with this ( culture is a living thing, we can borrow from and it does appear to the layman as a triumph of of his culture on somebody else’s culture or as a clash of civilization but for the wiseman, it is a triumph of humanity, like our great ancestor understood it and that is how they dominated the earth with JUSTUS and PEACE FOR ALL.)
By the way, the time people where planning to bomb the WTC, I was in the hospital helping the sick as a part of my duty as a Muslim American.
Hussein M.D
posted October 22, 2008 at 9:27 pm
A lot of the outbursts and yelling and demonizing that has been going on, it is not so much a result of stupidity by people.
Just ignorance. They simply do not understand about the rest of the world. I’m a proud American and currently serve in the military. I lived 8 years of my life in Jakarta, Indonesia before I ever thought of joining and some of my best friends to this day are Muslim. and they think it’s pretty cool when I tell them what my job entails.
posted October 26, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Islam is an ideology and for those that do not research it and accept what Our favorite Political Figures/Media-Shows are telling us will be guilty of helping destroy this Country. Check out this Documentary
Islam: What the West Needs to Know http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-871902797772997781
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”– Martin Luther King Jr.– http://stubblejumpingredneck.blogspot.com/2008/04/republicans-and-ku-kluk-klan.html
posted November 2, 2008 at 11:15 am
Deb -consider this:
In Britain jounalists were sent into mosques with hidden cameras to document what was taught in their country. The result was
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2668560761490749816
Why have American journalists failed to investigate mosques in America?
posted November 2, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I agree with Colin Powell regarding the the danger of fear mongering along the lines of religion, however I see hate mongering among the democrats against the wealthy in this country for no reason other than their wealth. Ther can be no middle class without an upper and a lower class. So called “spreading the wealth” by taking from one group and giving to another has not worked anywhere on earth, and it is called. It is called Communism. Read the “Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx. We should be encouraging productivity, not penalizing it. Blaming and inciting hatred for any group of people because of race, religion, sex, class, or any other segregating factor is just wrong.
Abraham Lincoln said “You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift up the wage earner by puling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”
posted November 8, 2008 at 9:41 pm
so many of the people who post on this site really need to become more informed of their own holy book. they claim to profess a belief in christ while they judge others because they have a different way of worshipping. many of them only reach out in peace to those of other religions when they are trying to convert them. they profess to be pro-life then support bombing innocent civilians based on lies perpetrated by so-called christian government officials. regrettably, many of all faiths that profess to be religious are the furthest from that. i have noticed that for all their hate, i have known very few christians that are really informed about islam outside of misinformation they get from right-wing nutjobs. obviously this is not all christians, many of who support social justice, tolerance, and all the other virtues that christianity teaches. as muslims, we revere jesus (peace be upon him). what i don’t support is any hate propogated in the name of religion, whether it be by muslim, christian, or jew. i will say this. some of those on this site who ignore the patriotism of this man who was willing to give his life for his country, have probably never served in the military and their religion is based on their politics, not a true belief in God.
posted November 6, 2009 at 11:50 am
“What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?”
i think the answer to that is not that there is something wrong with being muslim in this country, but something wrong with not wanting the world to know if u are running for president. I have no problem with standing up for your religion, but if one was to denounce their life-long religion for pr, there is a problem.
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