What is an American?
By G.M. Bill Quraishi

AS you probably missed it in the rush of the news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Middle East had published in a newspaper a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So a Pakistani-American engineer wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is, so they would know when they found one.

An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek.

An American may also be a Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan.

An American may also be a Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he/she could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim or atheist.

In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses. They have more rights in America than in their own countries.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he/she will answer to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for government or God.

An American is from the most prosperous land in history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each of man and woman to the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need. When Afghanistan was overrun by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country.

Recently, when earthquake struck Bande Aceh, Americans poured billions of dollars to rehabilitate the country and still helping, not a single Muslim country responded.

When Iran was struck recently with devastating earthquake in Bam, Americans was there to help.

Americans are involved to solve the Middle East crisis. You will find them almost in every country helping people to improve the daily lives.

Now, Americans are presently building Afghanistan and Iraq again after the toppling of Talibans and Sadam Hussain.

Americans landed on Moon and are getting ready to land on Mars.

Americans are major recipient of many Noble Prizes every year.

As of morning of September 11, 2001, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.

Americans prevented a third world war from happening due to nuclear deterrence.

Americans made sure in 1971 that Pakistan does not lose its mainland when it lost East Pakistan in one of the wars with India.

Americans of Pakistani origins are involved in well being of Pakistanis and Muslims in every phase of their daily lives.

When Muslims were under attack in Bosnia, Americans responded with force. Other nations were no where to be found.

Americans welcome the best - the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, and the best athletes.

And it is not that we Americans are perfect, we make mistakes, try to correct them. There is a constant pro and con open dialog goes on issues in the press, media and our legislative bodies and differences are debated all the time.

Our constitution seldom changes and every citizen is guaranteed right. Ninety nine percent of the world population wish to migrate to the United States, even our enemies like to live here because they have rights.

But, they also welcome the least. The national symbol of America, the Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. These in fact are the people who built America.

Every nation wants to trade with Americans because of our overwhelming economic, political, constitutional and industrial strengths.

Just in case you did not know, most of the world leaders, especially the third world countries, their diplomats and their families are US Citizens, green card holders or green card applicants and they never leave when their term expires.

We have many countries who boast of their freedom and rightly so, but there is one dream and that is American Dream. Green cards, citizenship, job, car and house are part of the American Dream.

Our nation is diverse with unmatched parallel in the mankind history. That is why our heart bleeds when we see trouble in other countries.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, earning a better life for their families. World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 other countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

America is an exuberant and evolving society based on check and balances and we continuously correct and learn from our mistakes.

One can try to kill an American if one 'thinks' so to be a must. Hitler did, so did General Tojo, Stalin, Al-Qaeda, many religious fanatics, Slobodan Milosevic, Saddam Hussein and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the world.

But, in doing so you would be just killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom.

Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

We are Americans, holder of the youngest oldest democracy on earth, and we shall prevail. We feel proud of it—to be an American.

( Billal Quraishi is the first Pakistani-American nominated for US Congress four times. He feels optimistic that he will soon become a Member. He believes in Stronger, Prouder & Better US-Pakistan Relations. Web: http://www.QforCongress.com )●