Your article points out the compassion and goodness of the Muslim communities in Lompoc and Santa Maria (“Meet a Muslim,” March 30). I agree that Muslims are interested in being good citizens and making contributions to their communities.
Many of us can’t figure out, with the large population of well-meaning Muslims in this country, why they don’t stick together and protest the terrible atrocities committed by the radical Muslim terrorists. No doubt they fear for their lives if what we understand to be the threat to those who object to the radical Muslims is true. Our men and women are putting themselves in great danger of losing their lives to radical Muslims. All good Muslims should do their part and join the fight to eradicate those radical killers.
As for their daily prayers, which are now being accommodated in the business world, it occurs to me that Catholics take time to go to mass outside of business hours. I don’t know of any of our many, many religions in this country that require time during work hours for religious practices.
Nudists who prefer not to wear clothes are not allowed to practice their preference in public. Why should a religious group be allowed to wear highly unconventional clothing?
If an American has a preference for wearing a bathing suit to work, I am sure that person would be counseled to wear more conventional clothing. American Indians don’t wear their traditional “tribal” outfits in everyday dress.
It seems nobody ever asks about these observations.
I believe this country has consistently been referred to as a “melting pot.” What has happened?
This article appears in Apr 6-13, 2017.