http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/737/letters.htm

Sir-- Many media pundits, and even some Muslim organisations, are calling for an official apology from the Jersey City Coptic community for the attacks on Islam that followed the gruesome killing of the Aramoniuns family earlier this year. I beg to differ. True, some Copts used religion as the now-discounted motive for the murder; however, it would be unfair to ask the entire Coptic community to apologise for the mistakes of a few. This is the same unfair demand, which I, as an Arab and a Muslim, have to deal with every time an act is attributed to a Muslim militant or an Arab terrorist.
The real culprit in fuelling the tension between Arab Muslims and Copts is the media in all its forms. The American (non-Arab) media exploited the sectarian motives and the Internet threat rumours to completely obscure the true tragedy: It became the coming of Islamic holy war to America, not the massacre of an entire family. The media spared no effort to fabricate a historically baseless myth, which pits Arab Muslims against Arab Christians. Doubtless, there may have been sporadic tensions between members of the two religious communities, but there was never a Muslim pogrom against Christians. History books are replete with documented religious rulings and government polices mandating that non-Muslims be treated fairly and equitably and accorded complete safety of their person, place of worship and possessions.
The American media has succeeded in fuelling tensions and, in the process, thrust a human tragedy into the background. Only religious and community leaders -- not politicians -- may be able to heal the wound. For the media to regain its credibility, it can begin the process of healing and forgiveness.
Aref Assaf
President, American Arab Forum of New Jersey
Denville, NJ
USA