(CNN)  -- The United States must resolve what I call the Great American Conundrum by clarifying its policy toward Muslims. It cannot treat its Muslim citizens as second-class citizens at home and hope to win them over abroad. American Muslims complain of their second-class status by pointing out that their religion and houses of worship can be attacked with near impunity. When they do object, they are told that this kind of abuse is a small price to pay for living in a free society. Yet it is blatantly clear that only Islam is being attacked in such a crass fashion. It is virtually unimaginable to hear of any other ethnic or religious group being so targeted without an uproar.
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Akbar Ahmed: U.S. can't treat Muslims badly and win "hearts and minds" abroad
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If proposed Islamic center ever attacked, Ahmed says, global violence will ensue
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Islamic center should also include church, synagogue and 9/11 memorial, he writes
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Ahmed: Bishops, rabbis and imams must work together; Obama must call for peace
Most @placeholder who fast tend to spend more time than usual in mosques.