When Miss Puerto Rico sent hateful tweets against Muslims in response to Michael Moore’s solidarity sign, a Puerto Rican Muslim stepped up on The Deen Show to deliver a response rooted in historical facts, cultural pride, and the kind of love and mercy that Islam teaches even toward those who attack you.
A History Lesson for Miss Puerto Rico
Before the Spanish colonizers arrived with Columbus, Puerto Rico’s indigenous people were not Christian. Christianity was imposed through colonization, often violently. If Miss Puerto Rico truly takes pride in her heritage, she should know that Muslims ruled Spain for over 700 years, and it was during this period, known as the Convivencia, that Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived together in remarkable harmony. The very culture she celebrates has deep Islamic roots she may not even be aware of.
“If she is a true Puerto Rican, true to the pride of her culture and where she came from, I would ask her to go back and read about how Puerto Rico came about being the country it is now after being colonized.” — Puerto Rican Muslim responding to Miss Puerto Rico
Love Over Hate: The Muslim Response
- Despite the hurtful tweets, Muslims would welcome Miss Puerto Rico with open arms if she changed her ways
- The guest offered to personally open his doors, invite her for rice, beans, and steak, and have a respectful discussion
- The man who drew offensive cartoons of the Prophet eventually became Muslim, proving forgiveness always has a door open
- Islam did not change the guest’s Puerto Rican culture; he still holds onto everything except what Islam prohibits like pork and alcohol
Puerto Rican, Muslim, and Proud
“I am a Puerto Rican Muslim. I have never changed my culture. I do not eat pork, I eat beef now. I do not drink, I take juice instead. But I still hold on to everything else from my culture.” — Puerto Rican Muslim on The Deen Show
The Muslim community has no room for hate, only love, education, and open doors. Miss Puerto Rico, and anyone else carrying misconceptions about Islam, is welcome to visit, ask questions, and see for themselves that Muslims are their neighbors, their colleagues, and their fellow human beings striving for peace. Call 1-800-662-ISLAM anytime, and let understanding replace ignorance.
