She's proud to be an American, and Muslim

Mary C. Curtis

Posted: Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008

COLUMNISTS: Mary C. Curtis

Mary C. Curtis, an award-winning columnist for The Charlotte Observer, writes for the Local section on Thursday and Saturday.

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It's two steps forward, one step back for Rose Hamid. When you are an American and Muslim, loyal to your country and devout in your worship, it can be tricky.

“I love this country,” says Hamid. “I'd rather be a Muslim in this country than any other country in this world.” But as the holy month of Ramadan ends, Hamid has reason to worry.

In this country she loves, one that has no religious test for a political candidate, her faith has been used to attack a presidential hopeful. Barack Obama is a Christian. But e-mailed rumors that he is Muslim are considered smears – effective ones…..

Hamid is an ambassador in an increasingly diverse community – on the board of the interfaith Mecklenburg Ministries and president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas. She attends the Women's Seder at the Levine Jewish Community Center, where women of all faiths join hands in prayer. It's where we first met.

Hamid has taught her three children – Suzanne, 20, Omar, 19, and Samir, 16 – that freedom and justice for all is not just an American concept. It's what faithful Muslims believe.

She gets along best with a sister who is a Southern Baptist. “We are both trying to live a life that's pleasing to God.”

To read the entire article go to: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/maryccurtis/story/226484.html

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