05 November 2001

Congressional Staffer Says Attacks on America Are Attacks on Muslims

Washington - After September 11 when senior Congressional staffer Jameel Aalim-Johnson attends Jummah [Muslim prayer service] in the Capitol he knows in the back of his mind the historic building and working symbol of democracy could have shared the same violent fate as the Pentagon. For it was on that day that the U.S. military headquarters, located just across the Potomac river, was attacked by self-proclaimed Muslim extremists who crashed a hijacked airliner into the building setting it on fire and killing over 180 people.

Aalim-Johnson, chief of staff to Representative Gregory Meeks (Democrat of New York) and one of the highest ranking Muslim Americans working on Capital Hill, told the Washington File November 5 that he was on his way to Reagan National airport, within a mile of the Pentagon, for a flight to Queens, Long Island, Meek's district, when the terrorists struck.

"My car radio wasn't working," he said, "and I couldn't understand why traffic on I-95 was coming to a stand-still. But soon I saw emergency vehicles and police cars speeding toward the Pentagon and then I saw the smoke. Later I called my office and they told me what was happening." (The fire in the Pentagon, caused by the hijacked aircraft's jet fuel, was still smoldering a week after the attack.)

One of an estimated four to five million Muslim Americans who have freely practiced their religion in America for decades, Aalim-Johnson explained that 10 Congressional staffers number among the 40 regular government workers who attend Jummah every Friday in the room set aside for them in the Capitol by the Congressional leadership.

As for the terrorists who may have tried to kill him and others in the Capitol, Aalim-Johnson said, "Those who believe that America is just a Judeo-Christian society out to get Islam -- they are wrong. They have to understand that if you attack America you could be attacking your Muslim brothers."

Less than an hour before the Pentagon assault, two other hijacked aircraft slammed into the twin World Trade Center Towers in Manhattan, symbols of American financial partnerships worldwide, where the staffer's sister and brother-in-law were working. In less time than it took the Titanic to sink, both 340 meter-tall skyscrapers collapsed killing more than 4800 people. Aalim-Johnson's relatives were fortunate; they got out in time but more than 360 policemen and firemen -- who were helping others get out -- did not escape and are still buried in the rubble.

At about the same time, a fourth plane heading toward Washington and perhaps another target like the Capitol or White House, according to authorities, crashed in Pennsylvania after a valiant struggle between passengers and the hijackers.

The resulting slaughter of people from over 60 nations, including more than 25 Africans, was the work of Muslim religious extremist Usama Bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist organization, according to the coalition of anti-terrorist nations now led by the United States.

For Aalim-Johnson, such violent acts against innocent civilians could never be justified under the tenants of Islam. Born a Baptist, the staffer said he made his Shahada [literally witness or conversion] to Islam in 1988 only after careful study of both the Bible and Koran. "I was drawn to Islam because it was consistent with biblical doctrine and seemed to be more in accordance with the prophets in the Bible, like Jesus" who never preached hatred and violence, he explained.

Choosing to work in the national legislature as opposed to taking a lucrative job in finance, as was offered him when he graduated from the University of Virginia with a business degree in the 1980's, Aalim-Johnson said he believes the rule of law is one of the most important guarantors of religious freedom.

"I believe Muslim life as outlined in the Koran is very admirable and I would even vote for bringing Sharia [Islamic law] to this country," he said. But, "that could only be done by a majority vote. Trying to force religion by compulsion is not only undemocratic it is folly."

Responding to those who claim unfair U.S. foreign policies contributed to the attacks, the staffer said, "What I would say to people who feel they have to attack the United States because of its policies against Muslims is that the first thing you have to change are incorrect policies against Muslims in your own countries."

After traveling on legislative business to countries like Morocco, Oman, Israel/Palestine and Jordan, the Hill staffer said he believes "if you don't have proper policies in countries controlled by Muslim governments, how can you expect to change policies in countries where they are not in control. You've got to take care of home first."

But what often keeps that from happening, he explained, "is that in many Muslim countries you have a political leadership whose agenda is not necessarily supportive of freedom of worship or supportive of the Sunna, the traditions of the Prophet." Because of that, he said, "Some Muslims who emigrated to America have told me that Islam is practiced better here than overseas."

On the cultural level, Aalim-Johnson said, "Many people who grow up in predominantly Muslim countries also mix or mistake their cultural traditions for Islam - but they are not the same."