Where I Stand — Brian Greenspun: Ali embodies Islam

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001 | 8:59 a.m.

Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.

THE HEART OF AMERICA was overflowing last Friday night.

In the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack on the United States on Sept. 11, the people of this country have been both struck stunned and symbolically stirred to action. Other than some incredible acts of selflessness and bravery in New York and at the Pentagon, most citizens remained more stunned than stirred -- until last weekend.

When this country was so brutally attacked at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941, there was little question about what was going to happen. Dads and sons were going to war and moms and daughters were going right to the front of America's manufacturing capacity to build what the United States' armed forces needed to float upon and fight with during the coming months. Those who couldn't fight, worked to help the war effort. Those who couldn't fight or work, did whatever they could to advance the cause of righteousness here at home. In short, everyone had a specific job to do and very few, if any, were reluctant to provide an all-out effort.

When those terrorist bums flew our planes into our World Trade Center buildings and our Pentagon, the children and grandchildren of the Greatest Generation were just as eager to go to work to make the world safe for democracy and all peoples who yearn to live free and in peace. The difference, however, is that no one has given the call to action. At least not yet.

The most we have been asked to do as American citizens is to open our hearts and our pocketbooks to the friends and families of the thousands of people who were murdered on that fateful September day. And I believe that to a person, we have answered the call without question. But there must be more we can do other than to sit around and wait for our leaders to tell us what is happening and what others are doing in our stead. That may be enough for now, but it won't suffice if Americans are to stay involved and resolved to support our president's promise to root out the terrorists and to bring them to justice. Or, in the alternative, to bring justice to them.

There is one group of people -- a group, I should add, which has been much maligned by some Americans who believe they have a corner on the moral high ground in this country -- which has stepped up and out front in fulfilling President George W. Bush's call to economic and morale-boosting arms. We call them collectively, Hollywood. And they were front and center last Friday night.

The tally of dollars raised by the telethoners was about $150 million. And much of it has come from people unsure of their own economic futures as they fight back against the fears of economic recession which threatens financial life as we have come to know it. It is a strong message sent of our resolve and our compassion. It is a message, I am certain, that is not well understood in that part of the world which has given birth and nurtured the godless butchers who have wreaked so much havoc.

There was one voice, though, heard above all others in the quest that night to separate peace-loving people from those who try in vain to justify their murderous ways, as if they were on a mission for God. That voice is one of peace, understanding and dedication to the principles of Islam. And that voice belongs to a person who is undeniably the best known and most widely respected in the Islamic world in particular and the whole world, generally.

The voice, of course, belonged to Muhammad Ali. It was not only stronger and clearer than we have heard it in years, but it was also clear in its determination to condemn those who destroyed innocent lives and put asunder family dreams in the name of Islam. For those nuts and sickos around the world who actually believe their religion teaches them that Heaven is just a suicide away, Ali was there Friday night to give the lie to their beliefs.

I asked my friend Bernie Yuman, who is the manager for The Greatest, what it took to get Ali to leave his home in Michigan and travel for one night to do his part in this classic struggle of good versus evil. As you can imagine, Ali gets hundreds of requests a month for personal appearances and, because of incredible demands on his time, must turn most of them down. So what did it take?

"Just a phone call," was Bernie's answer.

Like tens of millions of Americans who want to do something besides go shopping -- which, incidentally, could help keep us from spiraling too far downward toward economic ruination -- Ali has been looking for a way to be helpful. He found it along with the strength of his well-known voice by telling the world about Islam. As the world's most well-known Muslim, Muhammad Ali has long stood for the principles of peace and compassion. In one fateful day, that same world saw the face of an animal which painted all of Islam ugly with pictures of carnage and cowardice.

I, like many Americans, am eager to support President Bush's efforts to rid the world not only of the terrorists who kill indiscriminately for some religious insanity, but also of those who provide the money, organization and safe haven for the fundamentalist zealots who kill without conscience. Ali made it abundantly clear last Friday night that those who have murdered in the name of Islam were not only wrong and blasphemous but deserving of the wrath of the civilized world. Coming from him, the message of tolerance for innocent Muslims hit a chord among Americans who want blood and the revenge that must come. And his words also made it clear to the billion-plus Islamic world that support for these murdering bums is not only misguided and stupid, but also against the word of God and the teachings of Islam.

As we move forward into a world of uncertainty, but fully committed to the job ahead, it is important to understand who the bad guys are and who they are not. Clearly, the Moslem world on this planet will pay a heavy price because of those among them who murder in their name. President Bush is giving all countries and all peoples -- those from the Islamic world and those from the rest -- the opportunity to choose sides. Those who choose wrong will pay dearly.

Before they do that, they would be wise to heed the words of Muhammad Ali.

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