…Legitimate Muslim scholars have given their opinions on the matters the article talks about; however, the right-wing writers do not quote them. And they do not intend to do so either, for they have no interest in any knowledge and insight that will not serve their purpose of demonizing Islam and Muslims, both in Canada and across the globe.

We do not hear of these writers chasing after entire Christian denominations or Jewish faith groups because a few lunatics in their midst see the world as a one way street where only their signposts have any meaning. Similarly, Islam is not a monolithic faith either; we have no central authority from which to regulate and control what Muslims everywhere can say or do.

I'm sure that my Jewish and Christian friends can affirm the same relationship to our highest guiding Authority, regardless of how our human- run institutions function. Lunatics and extremists everywhere share the same lack of moral responsibility and self-awareness; they sanction only their own conduct and do not speak for you or for me.

But why then does this fundamental truth not hold in the case of any Muslim who also happens to be a proud Canadian? These angry right -wing writers prefer to see all Canadian Muslims as automatically guilty-by-association - that is, guilty until proven innocent - which runs totally counter to the logic and law of Canadian civil society. And this moral travesty seems these days to happen only to Muslims. We are being attacked by a hypocritical double standard that creates nothing but more confusion, conflict and anxiety, resulting in the unhealthy condition of having to be on guard and vigilant at all times.

Now if this unhappy situation was the article's intention all along, I have to admit it has succeeded. While I know that time will eventually redress this injustice, unopposed attacks by these writers will leave Canada as a whole vulnerable to even more social damage and confusion. For that reason, Muslims opted for legal avenues in order to counter discrimination and racism in a country we call our only home. We still hope that as Canadian citizens, we as Muslims can be accorded the same rights and protections as anyone else.

Such a naïve strategy totally misses the point. These writers conveniently forget that Canadian Muslims are an integral part of this country's social and historical fabric. We will not sit by passively while someone like him attacks our image and that of Canada itself.

Keep on writing, writers! But do not forget that honest and thinking Canadians will not allow themselves to be dragged into frivolous and demeaning debates. Please read the Bouchard-Taylor report on "reasonable accommodation" and better inform yourself on how mature and wise individuals really see the world in which you and I live.

Canadian Muslims can only hope that their actions and presence in Canada are much more respected by their fellow citizens than by certain media manipulators who masquerade as professional journalists.