Ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce a friend and colleague of mine from the Child Development Department at Contra Costa College named Tahira Umar. Tahira and I take a class called "Violene: Its Impact on Children" where we are being made to see that intolerance and lack of acceptance is at the root of most violence. I am publishing Tahira's poem, which I have titled "Religions In Tolerance" because I believe that it is timely and well written and should get the reader to take a look at the imporatnce of religious intolerance in today's political climate. Enjoy. -- Craig 17X

Religions In Tolerance

By Tahira Umar

A simple word---Tolerance

Is it so difficult to understand

Why is mankind so reluctant to acceptance

It is hard to understand.

Tolerance is admiration, appreciation, acceptance

Of the rich diversity of world cultures

Tolerance is a way of thinking, feeling, and acting,

In a way that gives us peace and independence!

A fair and objective opinion to others practices and beliefs

Real tolerance needs not hide as compassion in disguise

Differences are just forms of human expressions

Why can’t we realize?

All religions have been preaching tolerance

But hardly if any have been heard

Almost all have suffered to find their place in society

To live free and practice their beliefs, without being threatened.

Mormons were attacked, for being different

By the Missourian Protestants already living there

Their beliefs were seen as a threat

And a cause of religious intolerance!

This all led to bloodshed and misery for the people of both sides

Men, women, and children alike

Through the smoke and debris of torture and death

The evil face of humanity smiling, shining bright.

Acts of violence are neither surprising nor new

During World War II it happened to the Jews

Killed, beaten, maimed, for practicing their beliefs

The scars of holocaust may never be forgotten.

Whether it be the Crusades or Hindu vs. Muslim violence

The common denominator is intolerance

Men want power, and any opposition to this desire is fabricated as evil

While resources are gathered to crush those who would resist

Religious intolerance is re-emerging

In our current times but who will be the victim now

That communism has been defeated

Islam is the new cause of intolerance and has to be crushed

Justifications were prepared long before 9/11

Remember the Oklahoma City bombing

As if the media had one mission

To blame it on Muslims--- Islamic terrorists was the cry

Islam has been here for centuries

Think of the times when Muslims were in power

Spain is an example of religious and cultural tolerance

Muslims, Christians, and Jews living together in social balance