Muslims prefer a low profile

Utah's Muslim community is reacting quietly to the U.S. attack on Iraq, and area leaders say they want to maintain a low profile while continuing to build on growing interfaith relationships.

Masoud Ulhasan, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, said special prayers for troops and families in Iraq were scheduled this afternoon, following regular prayer services, at the Khadeeja mosque in West Valley City and at another mosque downtown. "We're praying for peace all over the world," he said, even though the war is already under way.

He acknowledges that local Muslims are "worried about some backlash or hate crimes," but said he and others are working with other local religious leaders, including Christians, Jews and representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Together, they hope to bring "love and harmony in the community and keep communications together at this difficult time. We will continue to do so until we help achieve the goal to have peace in the world."

Ulhasan said Muslims are "working closely with law enforcement, making sure all religious places are safe and protected from any of these hate crimes."

Ghulam Hasnain, spokesman for the Al Rasool Islamic Center — nearly 50 percent of whose members are Iraqis — said the Shiite Muslims who call the center their spiritual home are quiet about the situation and won't be speaking out about it. "Considering the background they come from and the oppressive situation that has prevailed over there, it does not give them a frame of mind" to speak out, he said.

"They don't come from an area where such things are tolerated very well. I think it will be years before they come to the understanding that they now live in a country where demonstrations are . . . a cherished right that everybody has. That's why we live here and value being Americans."

He said most everyone is relieved that Saddam will soon be gone, but they're concerned about the price it will exact from Iraq and its people. "It's a mixed blessing to some degree," he said.

Asif Saberi, one organizer of the Muslim Forum of Utah, said he attended a special prayer on Wednesday following regular prayers petitioning Allah for the safety of all innocent people.

Though he acknowledged that some type of local backlash against Muslims is a possibility, he said he's not particularly worried about hate crimes being perpetuated in Utah. The chances, he said, are "much less so in Utah than elsewhere. I think the Salt Lake community is much more enlightened in many ways."