The question of national loyalty among Canadian Muslims has never been as intensely scrutinized as it has in the years since 9/11.

Muslims in this country often find themselves immersed in fierce debates across all social strata - politics, media, academia, the town hall, etc. But when these frequent discourses turn intimidating and counterproductive, they force citizens who are followers of Islam to become defensive and apologetic as they strive to explain something they should not have to justify - namely, their faith. They are not responsible for the decisions of some misguided individuals who committed the heinous terrorism of 9/11, ostensibly in the name of Islam.

Those who know us well and interact with us on a regular basis know that in general, Canadian Muslims are far more law-abiding than their mass-media portrayals; some in fact are shown to be more loyal to Canada than most average citizens, as a 2007 Environics study showed

Allow me to explain why I believe Canadian Muslims are more loyal and law-abiding than current stereotypes might suggest.

In recognition of living in Canada and benefiting from the freedoms and opportunities that this great nation presents to its naturalized citizens, I gave an explicit pledge of loyalty by taking an Oath of Allegiance during the ceremony in 2000 at which I became a citizen. My formative religious principles demand that I "faithfully observe my trusts and my covenants" (Qur'an 23:8; 70:32), while my citizenship Oath of Allegiance similarly demanded that "I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen."

Being faithful and compliant to the laws of Canada and fulfilling my duties as a citizen do not make me more loyal to my homeland than to God. Neither God nor Canada demands exclusive loyalty. God requires that I worship none but Him, but does not prohibit loyalty to others outside the sphere of worship. Canada's constitution and civil laws rightly require that we be loyal to our nation, but at the same time, they do not prohibit loyalty to God.

Similarly, there is no conflict between being loyal to and caring for the worldwide Muslim community (Ummah) and being loyal to and caring for our Canadian neighbors and citizens of all faiths, or for that matter, the entire global human family. Actually, there is nothing in Islam that suggests Muslims should not be caring toward all human beings. As Prophet Muhammad said; "The best among the people are those who benefit other people" - and in this he meant all people everywhere, regardless of background, nationality, or belief. Muhammad's message was, and always has been, a universal one; we are all a global family!

Among the historical recorded sayings of Muhammad (or hadith), the theme of caring for "neighbors," our fellow human beings, is a recurring obligation. When the Prophet once repeated three times, "By God, he is not a believer!" he was asked, "Who is that, O Messenger of God?'' Muhammad replied; "One whose neighbor does not feel safe from his/her evil." Another narrative reports Muhammad as saying that, "He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his/her wrongful conduct," and that "Angel Gabriel kept recommending treating neighbors with kindness until I thought he would assign for a neighbor a share of inheritance."

There is no evidence in the Qur'an, or in the Prophetic tradition that comprises Islamic intellectual heritage, that I as a Canadian Muslim am asked to be disloyal to the leaders of Canada, or to betray this country and its people. On the contrary, Islamic sources provide ample encouragement and commendation to loyalty, faithfulness and respect for the nation and government under which we live.

This does not mean that I must blindly obey or believe whatever our national leaders tell me. For the well-being of Canada and Canadians, each citizen must be both self-critical and critically vigilant toward the government in power. There are times when citizens need to speak up on issues critical to the welfare and image of Canada and oppose forces of chaos that could threaten us both internally and internationally.

Loyalty to Canada thus means working toward domestic and foreign policies that are in Canada's best interests and opposing those that one believes are harmful. As citizens in a democratic society, we will never agree unanimously on everything; but we need to agree on matters of common concern and relevance to us all.

I embrace Canada as my chosen land of treaty or contract (Darul Ahd), because Canada welcomed me and gave me opportunities to settle and become a full citizen. Canada is a land of peace (Darul Sulh) and of safety (Darul Amn) because I, as a Canadian Muslim, have the freedom to practice Islam here and to become engaged in debates about it at any societal level. Canada is not a land of conflict (Darul Harb) as some assume; for Canadian Muslims are free to practice their faith here and to participate in professions and causes that are of benefit to themselves, their country, and the world.

Because Islam and Canada are based on similar values, such as justice and compassion, one can be both a good Muslim and a good Canadian citizen. In fact, Canadian Muslims are uniquely situated to fulfill their true collective potential as followers of Islam. And they are equally advantaged in being able to actualize their citizenship and human qualities more fully than anywhere else in the world.

Speaking as someone who is proud to know both Canada and Canadian Muslims first-hand, I am confident that the great majority of our citizens of the Muslim faith (some 94% of them as Environics found in 2007) are proud to be who they are, and to set an example to all with their above-average commitment to Canada.

Citizens are not born, they are made! They cannot be forced into any preconceived mould of good and faithful citizenship - such values can come only from a deep inner conviction and respect for Canada, their homeland.

This realization of all the rights, freedoms, comforts and opportunities provided to them by the state motivates them consciously and passionately to render loyalty to the county they purposefully chose to live in.

(This article was slightly edited for the Canadian Islamic Congress Friday Magazine.)