Until the clock strikes midnight this evening, I will be a Muslim practicing the Islamic faith. Why? Because it’s becoming increasingly apparent that, to a large portion of the American population, there is nothing scarier than a Muslim walking atop the country’s soil.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will be a Muslim for Halloween as well, though that will undoubtedly be an involuntary choice — having attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for 20 years and all. His rumored status as a Muslim has gained traction during this election, with the fascination over his middle name getting as much coverage as some of his policies.

The real issue here isn’t the religious misnomer plaguing Obama, albeit unfair and reeking of ignorance. What’s truly scary is the assertion that if he, or any other politician, were indeed Muslim they’d be some type of double agent ready to feed America to the wolves. Would it truly matter if Obama was indeed Muslim?

The half-baked notion that all Muslims are radical terrorists who sympathize with al-Qaida is just as much insulting as it is incorrect. But alas, history tends to repeat as it relates the treatment of those who emigrate from countries we label as our enemies — there’s no shock that there is such an anti-Islamic stance in the country. However, the absence of shock doesn’t make it justifiable or any less painful to endure a specific demographic openly discriminated against without recourse.

Calling a post-Sept. 11 terrorist attacks America “unfriendly” toward Muslims is an understatement; it’s been borderline horrific. FBI hate crime statistics show an increase in anti-Islamic crime that suggests a direct correlation between the events of Sept. 11 and how we’ve handled the issue ever since.

A friend of mine recently stated Muslim has almost become the modern version of how the “N-word” has been historically — a term that invokes an immediate, negative response — and a label that makes you a target.

I remember being in high school, watching the news, and witnessing the demonization of the countries often referred to as the “Muslim world” before my very eyes. Some of my peers had many an unsavory comment for the people living there, despite our school having Muslim students.

Amongst all this irresponsibility, no one stopped to assess what life would be like for such a sizable population in the U.S., and how hard it would be to attain comfortable living in a country blatantly showing hatred toward them.

Now in 2008, America is coming to terms with the fact that the flames the media has fanned for so long are rekindling under the guise of bigotry against a few notable leaders. The ensuing phenomenon has pundits, scholars, and politicians alike now scrambling to quell angry Americans by reminding them that Muslims are no different than a person belonging to any other faith. Urging them not to judge politicians like Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison by their faith, but by their voting records and contributions to society.

Unfortunately, we have to lie in the bed we made until that message is clear. Obama may play the role of the unfortunate lighting rod for this issue until we cast our votes Tuesday, but this issue ultimately isn’t about him. Win, lose, or draw, we owe it to ourselves not to repeat the same mistakes we’ve made towards Muslims in the past.

So no, I won’t be mocking the Muslim faith today by dressing up as some Western-based stereotype of their culture. Instead I think that the intolerant, who believe their very existence here poses a threat to our national security, should try being something they aren’t for Halloween: open-minded citizens.

Jahshua Smith is a State News columnist. Reach him at smithjah@msu.edu.