TN lawmakers should work with Muslims, not against them

• Legislation is harmful to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
• Muslims have been in Tennessee for a long time but are only 1.5 percent of the population.
• We want everyone to be free to practice their religion, or not.

Tennessee has a handful of elected officials who consistently target the state’s immigrant and Muslim communities. These folks regularly sponsor aggressive and misguided pieces of legislation that, if passed in their original forms, would threaten all Tennesseans’ First Amendment rights. Sadly, the 2015 legislative session is no exception.

Theater of the absurd

No-go zones (SB 1040/HB 1141): The concept of a “no-go zone” has been ridiculed by multiple national media outlets as a myth and a way to fearmonger and smear the American Muslim community. Even the bill’s sponsors have not claimed that no-go zones exist in Tennessee. Even so, they seek to outlaw “a contiguous geographical area consisting of public space or privately owned public space where community organizing efforts systematically intimidate or exclude the general public or public workers from entering or being present within the area.” Who would it hurt? Everybody.

Forfeiture of assets (SB 0180/HB 0935): This bill potentially threatens property and assets (including houses of worship and charitable funds) to be subjected to seizure by the state through unclear and loose standards of guilt by association with a terrorist act. The bill in its current form is redundant and unnecessary because federal law enforcement has the ability to seize property in terrorism investigations.

False patriots

Be cautious of people who claim to love our country while spending most of their time and energy defaming other Americans.

Even at the highest possible estimates, the Tennessee Muslim community still makes up less than 1.5 percent of our state’s total population.

Tennessee Muslims are tremendously diverse. We hail from more than 40 different nationalities and ethnicities. Community members also span the social and economic spectrum while adhering to vastly different levels of religiosity.

No advocate of our constitutional republic worth their salt could honestly believe that 1.5 percent of the population poses a serious threat to our collective way of life. So let’s go ahead and put that silly “population jihad” theory to rest.

Facts matter

No, the Muslims aren’t coming. In fact, Muslims are here, have been here, and have been here for a long time.

As the saying goes, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that they are not after you. So instead of taking anyone else’s word as facts, go visit a mosque or dine at an African, Mediterranean or southeast Asian restaurant. Heck, why not do something even easier: Strike up a conversation with your Muslim colleague or neighbor.

You will see that not only are the Muslims not coming (to get you), the sky isn’t falling, either.

Follow the money

At the Nashville Business Breakfast at Lipscomb University on March 3, Gov. Bill Haslam warned us to “beware of political situations in when people have a financial incentive to keep things stirred up.” The governor was calling on Tennesseans to elect leaders who will focus on solving problems instead of prioritizing partisan or ideological battles.

Take a look at the Center for American Progress’ report “Fear, Inc. 2.0” and the accompanying website www.islamophobianetwork.com to explore the $57 million network fueling anti-Muslim bigotry in the United States. I am sure you will see some very familiar Tennessee-based organizations.

Freedom of religion extends to all

One of America’s greatest accomplishments is that we have successfully crafted laws that allow each of us authentic freedom of conscience. This is why we celebrate the establishment clause. Without a state religion, we are all free to worship — or not — as our deeply held convictions suit us. Yet along with all this religious diversity, we have also crafted, but not yet perfected, a common identity and heritage.

This identity and sense of belonging is available to all Americans, at least to varying degrees. This uniquely American balancing act of individualism, liberty, common values and the general acceptance of our multilayered identities is an ongoing challenge for our society.

If we are to promote a more harmonious, safe and integrated American culture, we must demand that our elected officials work to protect all Americans, including American Muslims.

Paul Galloway is executive director of the American Center for Outreach, an advocacy group for civic participation of Muslims in Tennessee.