I am American Muslim.  I converted 2 years ago after a life-long spiritual search. I am college educated, 50 years old and the mother of 7 children.  I am a stay-at-home mom and have only been married once to my husband.

I am really rather boring, no horrid dramas, just hard tax paying work.  We have lived simply, choosing to eat beans and rice, spend any vacation time in our home state and generally sought to be good citizens.

Recently it has come to my attention that there is a terrible row brewing between some who condemn S. Hisham Kabbani for a speech he made regarding Islam and terrorism.  I have had violent e-mail sent to me by persons, who, for some reason, seem to hate him.

I have read this speech 3 times.  I do not understand the venom.  I have called the various Islamic organizations, who are also condemning him, for more information and I am still confused.

The silence of Islamic leaders in the past to publicly address terrorism put doubts in my own mind as I drew nearer to Islam.  My nonMuslim friends frequently now ask me why the leadership of Islam is so mute when atrocities occur.

I struggle to tell them of my knowledge of Islam, the gentlest and most merciful of religions.

Then along comes a very brave man, S. Hisham Kabbani who stands up and speaks the truth.  His speech said to me that the few extremists are going to poison us all.  Actually they already have.  The words Islam and terrorist seem to be linked so in the average American mind that, for example, when the Oklahoma bombing occurred, this was the knee-jerk reaction.

The millions of us ordinary Muslims wish only to purify our hearts through our Five Holy Pillars, and believe me this is quite enough to keep most of us busy.

I am not sure in what capacity S. Kabbani's speech was given, nor your role, but I would hope that you would remember those of us who lead quiet lives and who see S. Hisham Kabbani as a protector.  No one else seems to be speaking for us.  We do not have lobbyists, we have mortgages.  We do not have powerbases, we have soccer meets.  We do not have clout, we have to make dinner.

Thank you