Because of my pride, patriotism, and respect for our Constitution I, Sir, am taking this opportunity to write you of my deep concern and disappointment in comments attributed to the Attorney General Mr. John Aschroft regarding Islam as well as my perception that our "war on terrorism" is being stretched beyond logic and credibility.

In an interview conducted by Mr. Cal Thomas with General Ashcroft on November 9, Mr. Ashcroft is quoted as saying; "Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for Him. Christianity is a faith in which God sends His son to die for you."

When asked about the validity of this quote Mr. Thomas stood by his account and said. "I wrote it down accurately and repeated it to make sure I had it right," he told the New York Daily News. "I've got my integrity and a four-decade career as a journalist and people can decide for themselves."

Mr. President, as an American Muslim I am deeply offended and angered that the top law enforcement officer in the land should hold such views that not only offend 1.2 Billion Muslims in 56 nations worldwide but also the millions of American Muslims whom he swore to protect and uphold their freedoms, rights, and dignity as American citizens. From his very nomination there were major concerns about Mr. Aschroft's views and religious beliefs and how they impact our nation. It seems post September 11, Mr. Ashcroft is feeling more comfortable to espouse his views being unable to differentiate between Islam the faith and the few terrorist Muslims who attacked our nation. That is unacceptable for a government official in his position. His religious fundamentalist views should not and must not impact his duties to ALL American citizens. I would venture to say that such views belie an underlying misunderstanding of Islam so prevalent in our government, our media, and the general public. Sir, I ask you as a citizen that you require Mr. Ashcroft to personally and publicly explain his statements as to their truthfulness. If he did make such a statement he must apologize or be required to resign. I'm keenly aware that insulting Islam or the American Muslim community by politicians or members of the media is quite common and is done without fear of retribution or intimidation given our "political weakness". We don't project the intimidation of A.I.P.A.C. or the Anti-Defamation League, but you Sir, are the President of all the people, including me, and thus your obligation is to ALL Americans not just those with money and influence. Mr. Ashcroft is unraveling the good will you have worked hard to build with the American Muslim community. He should recall what President Eisenhower said:

"There can be no peace without law. And there can be no law if we were to invoke one code of conduct for those who oppose us and another for our friends."

Mr. President, as a youngster in this country I was raised and financially supported by the generosity of American Christians. Fortunately, the American people are more forgiving, understanding, and generous toward American Muslims than our government which responds to short sighted political interest groups.

I am also disturbed by Vice President's alleged remarks of informing Israel's Defense Minister that he had no problem with Israel "hanging" Arafat and Dr. Rice's comments that dealing with Arafat was a "waste of time." I wish both were with me in Beirut during the summer of 1982 when I was removing cluster bomb fragments and rocket shrapnels from the bodies of Lebanese and Palestinian mothers and children courtesy of Sharon's army and American weapons. It seems our government has learned the lesson of your father when he withheld the $10 Billion from Israel and angered the Jewish bloc and lost the election as related in the first chapter of J. J. Goldberg's book "Jewish Power."

I have read the expected denials by all three, yet, the perception persists that these comments are true.

Mr. President, you began your Presidency with the ideals of "humility" and "conservative compassion" and stated in the debates that Jesus, peace be upon him, was your philosopher. Sir, may I ask if your rhetoric post 9-11 of "dead or alive"; "us against them", and "axis of evil" arises from a professed follower of Jesus or is that simply a reflection of your youth in a Cold War world as well as your hawkish advisors--Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, and Sharon? At no time has our government seen fit to involve and appoint an Arab American or Muslim in our foreign policy apparatus to project a balanced view of our foreign policy toward one third of the world's population. Additionally, neither Congress nor our media have any such representation. It seems our foreign policy is seen through the lens of "what's good for Israel is good for America". Given such a foreign policy "monologue" Mr. President, what do you think is the long term future of our nation, Israel, and of the Jewish Community worldwide? Won't a strong American position on peace between the Arabs and Israel bring more benefit and prosperity to all concerned? Demographics here and in the Middle East don't favor our short sighted policies. As a pacifist I have also condemned the Arab and Muslim world for their dictatorships, human rights abuses, impotence and neglect. I pray God does guide you to bring peace to Israel/Palestine based on Israel's withdrawal from all occupied territories and East Jerusalem (UN Resolution 242). Mr. President, I can assure you that the Muslim world desperately wants to align with the United States in its freedoms and prosperity. Tragically, it has been us who've either manipulated that world or totally ignored it. For the last six decades a wedge has been driven between the United States and the Muslim world.

If I may close with some quotes from the Holy Qur'an for the benefit of Mr. John Ashcroft.

“O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you unto nations and tribes that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God’s sight is the greatest of you in piety and righteousness. God is all knowing, All Aware. (49:13)

“Say, We believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us (Qur'an), as well as that which has been bestowed upon you, the Torah and Bible, for our God and your God is one and the same; and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.” (29:46)

--“nearest among them in love to the (Muslim) believers wilt thou find those who say: "We are Christians” (5:82)

Professor HUSTON SMITH IN “The Illustrated World’s Religions” p. 168 writes.

“Muhammad (p) adhered meticulously to the charter he forged for Medina, which—grounded as it was in the Qur’anic injunction, “Let there be no compulsion in religion.”—is arguably the first mandate for religious tolerance in human history."

Mr. Ashcroft makes the same mistake as all those who carry prejudices against "others" who don't follow their "truth". They judge a faith by its followers and not by its scripture. How would Judaism and Christianity fair should they be judged solely by the history of their followers? Has Mr. Aschroft read the Babylonian Talmud? Perhaps Mr. Ashcroft should adhere to the Biblical teachings of : “Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged.” and “Let Him Without Sin Cast The First Stone.”

Fear and Prejudice of others, faiths or peoples, has as its foundation what the Muslim Leader Ali Ibn Aba Talib (RA) said in the seventh century: "WE FEAR WHAT WE DON'T KNOW."

In closing, Sir, may I remind you that 75% of American Muslims voted for you for we indeed believed that you had the character and strength to stand up for truth and justice here and abroad. Now we see that most of the world opposes our foreign policy yet we seem to think we don't need anyone but our "smart bombs". I beg to differ, Sir. We need more of "smart policies" and much less smart bombs. Our foreign policy has allowed our new "friends" of Russia, China, and India along with our "strategic partner" Israel the free hand to persecute and attack their civilian Muslim opposition who simply follow Patrick Henry's call: "Give me Liberty, or give me death."

I love this country for giving me the opportunities I would never have in the Muslim world, most importantly the opportunity to write my President expressing my constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech. I honor our nation for that right.

Please let Mr. Ashcroft know that I have been visited by the FBI wanting information on me and on my fellow Muslims in my community. Perhaps Mr. Ashcroft should know that I risked my life several times to save the lives of our diplomats and marines overseas.

In conclusion, may I quote the famous Catholic Theologian Hans Kung in his book , Global Responsibility:

"No peace among the nations without peace among the religions. No peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions."

With Deepest Respect, I remain

Mohamed Khodr