RDB D'Souza 3 (Role Reversal)

In “The Enemy at Home” , D’Souza states that, “Contrary to the multicultural mantra, true understanding does not involve a suspension of judgment about other cultures, or a double standard that routinely condemns western culture and exalts non-western culture. Rather, it involves a willingness to critically and open-mindedly evaluate other cultures, as well as our own culture.” (73).[1] When I read this statement now I feel like D’Souza could not have said it any better, but on September 11, 2001 my opinion was completely different. Just as our parents remember the day when JFK was assassinated, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news about the attacks on the twin towers. I was sitting in my seventh grade science classroom when a voice came over the loud speaker and told us about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center. At first I found it rather ironic and annoying that I could not attend a field trip to a workshop on decreasing teen violence because of something that had happened in New York, but after I saw the images of what had happened, I was immediately overcome with a sense of terror and grief. I was so confused and wondered what the terrorist’s reasons were for attacking our perfect country. I was sure that we were one nation under God, and that anyone who would attack us was surely evil. While September 11 was truly a horrible day in America, I have come to realize over the years that the ignorance and the “the embarrassingly poor knowledge that many Americans (and other people around the world) have of other cultures”, probably played a great role in the terrorist acts of that day(68).[2] “The unbridgeable gulf between Western Civilization and Islamic Civilization” lies in the misunderstanding of each nation’s devotion and acceptance of the institution of religion. (175)[3]. In our culture today, many Americans claim to be Christian, but do not lead a Christian lifestyle, while for Muslims, Islam is their life. D’Souza discusses this conflicting relationship when he says, “Unlike many Christians who have multiple identities only one of which is they happen to be Christian, Muslims typically regard their religion as central to both private and public identity, and consider all other affiliations secondary or derivative.’ (87)[4]. By taking on the perspective of a Muslim, whose only duty in life is to glorify their God, then it is easier to understand where the September 11th attacks came from. Like in Christianity, Islam glorifies martyrs. Eyad Al-Sarraj stated that, “Martyrs (in the Muslim faith) are at the level of prophets. They are untouchable. I can denounce suicide bombings, which I have many times, but not the martyrs themselves, because they are like saints. The martyr sacrifices himself for his nation. If you want to be part of this culture, you have to understand this.” (89).[5] Al-Sarraj does not necessarily agree with the attacks that the martyrs preformed, but he says that they are martyrs all the same, and were willing to devotedly die for their faith and the God that they believed in. “While both Christianity and Islam share a concept of martyrdom, the martyr in Christianity is one who voluntarily endures suffering and death rather than relinquish the faith. In Islam, by contrast, a martyr is one who dies fighting for the faith”, and that is exactly what the suicide bombers did on September 11th , 2001 (89).[6] Though we as well as other Muslims might see these actions as extreme and radical, these extremists took their faith and devotion to the next level by selflessly dying for their beliefs. The first martyr for Christianity was Stephen. While he was being tried and stoned to death, he still did not renounce his faith. In Acts 7:59 the author says that , “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.” [7] Though this type of martyrdom is not exactly the same as the kind we have experienced with suicide bombers, the story of Stephen still portrays an individual so strong in his convictions that he willingly surrenders his life to God rather than live and renounce his faith. The concept of selflessness remains constant through both religions and provides a common link between the battling nations of Christainity and Islam. “Ultimately it is not possible to eradicate Islam from the hearts of Muslims”, as it is not possible to eliminate Christianity from the hearts of true Christians (177).[8] While we continue to battle over our differences, we should really begin to recognize our similarities. With knowledge and study of each other’s lives and customs, comes a further and deeper understanding into each other’s hearts and souls. Ultimately, we should reevaluate ourselves and “ should try to see ourselves as they see us” so that we may ultimately view each other in a new and more respectable light (72).[9]


[1] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[2] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[3] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[4] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[5] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[6] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[7] Acts 7:59, Bible, New International Version.
[8] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.
[9] D'Souza, Dinesh. The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. 2007.