WITH THE U.S. ON WAR FOOTING, AMERICANS MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO REGARD MUSLIMS AS THE ENEMY MARYKNOLL, N.Y. - The war in Iraq is not about religion or ethnicity, but the specific politics and regime of one person, according to Maryknoll's Director of Social Communications, Father Joseph Veneroso, and he is calling on Americans to resist the temptation to demonize Muslims because of the regime in Iraq and anti-American acts of terror. "Muslims believe in God very strongly, they are very fervent in their faith. The actions of a few should not be attributed to the entire Muslim religion", says Father Veneroso. "The world's Muslim population is very, very large, and one cannot blame all Muslims any more than you could take the actions of some Christian fundamentalists who happen to do some action and then ascribe that same attitude to all Christians." More than 80 Maryknoll missioners work in countries with small to large Muslim populations, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Sudan, the southern Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania. According to Father Veneroso, "Christians, Muslims and people of no particular religion know that we are there in solidarity with them and to try together to understand the God we all believe in." "Maryknollers traditionally have worked in dangerous areas and we live with the poor and work with the poor and often times we suffer and die like and with the poor." Father Veneroso says it is important to remember this is not a war against Muslims even though he says Al Quaeda leader Osama Bin Laden wants it to be cast in those terms to rally the Muslim world to his side. "We must try to recognize Muslims as our brothers and sisters, and together see if we can bring this to a swift and merciful end and to take steps to see that this type of violence does not occur again." Maryknoll, the U.S.-based Catholic missionary movement, includes the Maryknoll Society (Fathers and Brothers), the Maryknoll Congregation (Sisters), the Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful (lay people, priests, and religious), and the Maryknoll Affiliates. Maryknollers have been representing U.S. Catholics in overseas mission since 1911 and currently serve in 39 countries worldwide. For more information on Maryknoll, consult the World Wide Web at http://www.maryknoll.org.