A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| "I am one of you. But I am also one of 'them' |
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| ahmer |
| 06/07/02 at 14:27:49 |
| Harvard Student Gives Speech Citing 'Jihad' Reaction Mixed to Muslim American's Commencement Talk By Pamela Ferdinand Special to The Washington Post Friday, June 7, 2002; Page A03 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 6 -- On a rain-drenched commencement day at Harvard Yard, a Muslim American student Thursday urged his fellow graduates to shape "a more just, peaceful and honorable global society" -- and referred repeatedly to "jihad" as he did so. Thus, Zayed Yasin, 22, a biomedical engineering student, delivered the speech whose original title -- "American Jihad" -- ignited a controversy that included a campus-wide debate over free speech, a petition opposing his selection as one of three student speakers at Harvard's 351st commencement and an e-mailed death threat against him. Yasin changed his title to "Of Faith and Citizenship" and heightened some references to the Sept. 11 attacks, but his text remained largely intact. "I am one of you. But I am also one of 'them,' " he said, opening his remarks by referring to his dual identities as a practicing Muslim and American citizen and their perceived contradictions. He said he chose the word "struggle" deliberately and went on to condemn misuse of the Arabic term. " 'Jihad' is a word that has been corrupted and misinterpreted, both by those who do and do not claim to be Muslims. And we saw last fall, to our great national and personal loss, the results of this corruption," he said. Invoking the significance of personal moral growth, Yasin defined the true meaning of "jihad" as "the determination to do right, to do justice even against your own interests" and as "an individual struggle for moral behavior." Yasin's choice of the Arabic word, which also has been defined as "holy war" and used by Muslim fundamentalists to justify terrorism, had led some critics to denounce him as a terrorist sympathizer. But the former Harvard Islamic Society president received the continued backing of university President Lawrence H. Summers. Yasin also appeared on national television to defend remarks that few people outside the selection committee were allowed to read before the commencement. As he finished his speech, Yasin, the son of a Bangladeshi father and Irish American mother, looked relieved to have the dispute and four years at Harvard behind him. A number of audience members, including an entire section of students, rose to give him a standing ovation, while others whooped in support. Scores of other students wore red, white and blue ribbons to express their opposition to the speech, and some circulated leaflets comparing Yasin's statements to quotations about terrorism, such as one by President Bush: "You're either with us or against" us in the fight against terror. Security was tight, with walk-through metal detectors at most entrances. Police officers near the dais flanked Yasin, who also wore a red, white and blue ribbon on the lapel of his black graduation gown. "It was very thoughtful," said Ursula Zaluar, a Brazilian woman whose husband received a master's degree in public administration. "I liked it very much. It made me think." But others sat silently, hands clasped in their laps afterward. "I don't think it belonged here today," said a woman whose daughter graduated with Yasin and who declined to give her name. "We have a graduate whose father died in the World Trade Center. Why bring it up when today should be a day of joy?" |
| Re: "I am one of you. But I am also one of 'them' |
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| ahmer |
| 06/07/02 at 15:03:02 |
| the smart kid!!!!!!!!!!! :) http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/gallery/commencement02_2/photos/pix_09.jpg Zayed Muhammed Yasin delivers the Senior English Address at Morning Exercises. |
| 06/07/02 at 15:07:07 |
| ahmer |
| Re: "I am one of you. But I am also one of 'them' |
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| mujaahid |
| 06/07/02 at 16:19:24 |
| [slm] Respect to the brother for having the courage to stand up and speak the truth about Jihad. ;-) |
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