Treason Read Online Free PDF

with Islam being a peace-loving and accepting religion?”
    â€œI am here today to condemn violence by radical Islamists,” Adeogo said. “Not to discuss the Arab world’s relationship with Israel.”
    â€œYou can’t discuss one without the other.”
    â€œThank you, everyone,” Adeogo said, abruptly stepping away from the podium.
    When the spotlights dimmed, he searched for the argumentative Jewish reporter but all of the chairs in the back of the studio were empty.
    Adeogo’s public information officer was waiting for him outside the studio. “That got intense,” Fatima Olol said. “But you handled it really well. I spoke to several reporters afterwards and they’re going to write about your call for more jobs in Minneapolis—not the Jewish reporter’s badgering questions about Israel.”
    She checked the time on her phone and added, “The White House is expecting you in about an hour. We need to hurry.”
    She led him through packs of tourists meandering inside the massive visitors’ center but when they entered Emancipation Hall, Adeogo stopped her. He nodded upward at an inscription carved on a wall of the spacious lobby, which featured a thirty-foot tall ceiling and skylights, through which the U.S. Capitol dome could be seen.
    â€œThe architects originally put the inscription ‘
E Pluribus Unum
’ in this public building,” he explained. “They said it was our nation’s motto.”
    â€œâ€˜One from many,’” she replied. “I took high school Latin.”
    â€œBut that wasn’t the actual motto. Our country’s motto is ‘In God We Trust.’”
    â€œYes, I remember the fight. Political conservatives accused liberals of intentionally omitting ‘In God We Trust’ because it was a religious statement.”
    â€œThe two sides actually took their argument to court. The liberals didn’t want ‘In God We Trust’ or even the words to the Pledge of Allegiance displayed here, but they lost and so here it is for everyone to see: In God We Trust.” Adeogo paused and then asked, “Does it offend you? You’re a Muslim, as I am.”
    â€œWhen I was in high school, I stopped saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I believed swearing that oath was not compatible with my faith. But recognition of a Christian god is part of our country’s religious heritage so I understand why Christians want it here. But times are changing. People are not joining Christian churches. The nation is becoming more diverse. Maybe someday, there will be mention of other great religions in our public buildings in addition to Christianity. Or maybe someday there will be no mention of them at all.”
    â€œIt doesn’t offend me,” Adeogo said. “I meant what I said earlier. I am a liberal Muslim, a modern day one. I am not an Islamic supremacist. To me God is Allah. What someone else calls Him is not as important as believing in God. But I know many others believe there can be only one God and He is Allah.”
    â€œIt’s better to never talk religion in public,” Olol replied. “But because you are a Muslim, you will always be asked to defend our faith.”
    â€œAnd because I am a Muslim, I will always be suspect.”
    â€œAfter 9/11, aren’t we all?”
    Adeogo glanced at his young protégée. She was in her early thirties, a petite University of Minnesota graduate who’d first caught his eye when she’d volunteered to work at his downtown Minneapolis campaign headquarters. He’d brought her to Washington because she was smart, willing to work a hundred hours a week for a paltry salary, and because he knew her parents. Although he was careful not to show it, Adeogo found her sexy too.
    â€œWe need to go,” she said.
    As they started to exit from the hall, Adeogo heard a voice call his name. A statuesque woman with red hair