OPINION: Don't dim beacon of freedom for a troubled world

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee sponsored a Town Hall meeting last week. It was of particular interest to me because I came to this God blessed country as a legal immigrant. I was born in Iraq, and raised as a Muslim. I am now born-again, and rejoice in the salvation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

During the Iraq Freedom Operation, I served alongside the U.S. troops as a cultural adviser and interpreter. After my service to America, I was given a special visa approved by General Petraeus to come to America. Since then, I became a naturalized United States citizen. The most humbling day of my life was the day I cast my first vote as an American citizen. I will never be able to repay America for the opportunities she has given me.

But one thing I can do is create opportunities for others who desire to come here to realize their potential and contribute to this country. I have seen and lived in the brutality of the Middle East. A place where parents see their children raped, and where children see their parents decapitated and their siblings murdered. The people who come to mind are those I encounter on my visits to the Middle East each year. Former doctors, lawyers and teachers surviving amidst ongoing wars. Persecuted. Discarded. Oppressed. You can see them on the streets of Turkey, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries. Freezing, wearing plastic bags to keep warm, feeding from dumpsters. Others are not so lucky, missing limbs and eyes … and minds.

Many refugees are fleeing the Middle East, looking for a place to live and raise their children. People want to come to Idaho from oppressive places for the same reasons as I did. America is the beacon of freedom and liberty for a troubled world.

At a legislative town hall meeting last week sponsored by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, in the sanctuary of a local church, an attendee raised the subject of refugees. Our local legislators were asked, “Are you for or against bringing refugees into our state? What can you do to change the governor’s mind regarding accepting refugees?” A legislator quickly responded to voice his resistance to the acceptance of Middle Eastern refugees. He broadly defined them as people with “a hostile ideology posing as a religion.” Code for Muslims. And without any qualifications, by default: all Muslims.

In the sanctuary of that church, where refuge is freely given by our Lord, I felt moved with righteous indignation. I have many associates, friends and family who are Muslim, and whom I esteem greatly. My Lord loves all of His children, even those who have not yet accepted His grace. My Lord freely gives refuge to all. We should give refuge to those in need. For when we show Christ’s mercy and love, we bring people closer to Him.

After I came to America, I gave refuge to a little Iraqi boy and took his remaining family into my home. They have learned English, and are now U.S. citizens. Most wonderfully, they have found salvation in Jesus Christ.

America is the greatest nation on Earth. It is the place where we know this truth to be self-evident: all men are created equal, and we all are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. These rights didn’t come from our place of birth. They came from God, alone.

Refugees present us with an opportunity: not only to show love, compassion and mercy, but also to enrich our nation. There are many brilliant, educated, talented, refugees. Refugees coming to Idaho have to pass through various federal background checks and reviews. We should not shirk in biased-fear from taking these opportunities.

There are many things we could do to make the transition successful for refugees and for us. A sponsorship program comes to mind as one way to assimilate them into our society.

If you believe in America as I do, will you join me in supporting Governor Brad Little’s acceptance of refugees, and urge our legislators to reconsider the wisdom of rejecting the opportunities given to us?