We live in a country with freedom of speech. This freedom allows for people to protest as they please. The hope is that the protests will be peaceful.

23 cities across the United States are planning Anti-Muslim protests organized by ACT for America. ACT for America is a grassroots national security organization aiming to preserve American culture. The basis of these protests are to March Against Sharia but are ultimately targeting Muslims and perpetuating fear and hatred. Islam does not pose a threat to American culture or our laws and is a religion that requires acceptance of others.

The Arabic word Sharia means path to be followed. The path people search for is their personal religious path. This is an individual journey that does not require assistance from others. Sharia, comparable to the Ten Commandments, is a guideline, presenting a way of life to strive toward. Asking Muslims to ignore it is taking away their religious freedom. Would a Christian march against the Ten Commandments? Why would you march against Sharia? Who are you to interfere with somebody’s religious path?

The laws of one religion do not threaten those of a whole society. They do not apply to the people outside of the religion and those within the religion are not forced to follow these laws. Muslims have the freedom to follow the parts of Sharia they agree with and ignore those that they do not. Sharia laws simply provide a guideline for followers. Nobody is forcing Muslims to follow Sharia in the United States or punishing them if they do not. Most people would not even know if a Muslim family was following these laws or not.

The protests are built on the foundation of fear. Islamophobia is the prejudice/dislike of Islam and its followers. Muslims are not terrorists. Islamophobia needs to be stopped. Islam is a peaceful religion. The religion of a person does not define them.

How would you feel if you were born into Islam and people treated you differently for your religion regardless of your personality or actions? Why must we label others and pick apart the things that make them different or unique?

The true meaning and real understanding of Islam and Sharia laws get lost in translation. There are multiple assumptions of what the laws mean based off of the interpretations of various people. But, overall, Sharia law is not a threat to America. It is not an actual law in the United States and it does not affect the lives of people who do not follow it. In no way does Sharia or Islam threaten America.

I am disappointed that these protests are occurring during the holy month of Ramadan. I think people fear what they do not know, do not fully understand, or maybe do not care to understand. I hope that people will try to research Islam and Sharia before thinking differently of Muslims. People are people and we all strive for the same things, such as freedom and equality. I hope that these anti protests do not propagate more fear but succeed in bringing us all closer together, in peace.