Is Islam the new political third rail?
HOW IS a Muslim to feel these days? With the Obama camp reacting sternly to the recent circulation of a picture of Barack Obama in traditional Somali dress, Muslims are beginning to suspect there is no fate worse than being labeled Muslim ("Obama fights false links to Islam," boston.com, Feb. 28).
When John McCain expresses his discomfort at the prospect of a Muslim president, and the Obama team stridently distances its candidate from the Islamic faith of Obama's father, it illustrates a growing sentiment in this country that religious fear-mongering is acceptable, even encouraged.
In the wake of a recent e-mail hoax claiming Obama is a "radical Muslim" seeking to harm the United States, the Obama campaign has taken pains to brand its man as a devoted Christian. Yes, yes, yes, Obama is Christian. But what if he were a Muslim? Would that make him less inspirational, intelligent, trustworthy, or patriotic?
There is hope that this election will mark the beginning of color-blind and gender-blind politics in America.
Let's hope religion-blind politics will be next.
AZIZ EL MADI
Somerville
The writer is codirector of the Center for Jewish-Muslim Relations. 