The Fourth of July brings to mind the Muslims who fought in the revolutionary war, such as Yusuf Ben Ali, also known as Joseph (Benenhali) Benhaley. His name appeared in the 1790 census of Sumter County, S.C. Or Bampett Muhamed, who was a corporal in the Revolutionary Army. Or sergeant and fifer Joseph Saba who served with the Continental troops.

Let us not forget that in 1777, Morocco, a Muslim country, was the first to recognize the United States as an independent nation. Independence Day reminds me that I am freer to practice Islam in America than in most so-called Muslim countries. America continues to be a beacon of freedom for the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Ivory Coast, Yemen and Syria.