A woman holds banners and a flag as she takes part in the Americans Against Terrorism, Hate and Violence rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 23, 2016. The Muslim Times has the best collection to refute Islamophobia
Source: Huffington Post
The terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 reverberated around the world long after that fateful morning.
Americans of all stripes grappled with the image of planes crashing into the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon, and unfurling a blanket of dust and debris on New York City. They grieved the lives lost, came together to rebuild and sought answers as to why anyone would commit such an act of hatred.
Within days of the attacks, many had found a convenient scapegoat. Muslims, Arabs and anyone who remotely resembled the terrorists seen on TV, whether in feature, dress or accent, became targets of retaliation. That stereotyping exists to this day.
I hoped they wouldn’t even remember that I was Muslim.”Shawna Ayoub Ainslie
“I stopped reading the Qur’an between classes,” wrote Muslim blogger Shawna Ayoub Ainslie in 2015. “I used to wear comfortable, loose clothes that covered my arms and legs. [After Sept. 11], I kept the headscarf I carried for prayer hidden in my purse instead of draped around my neck… I began pushing up my sleeves when in groups so people would not worry that I was conservative. I hoped they wouldn’t even remember that I was Muslim.”
Muslims, like people of other faiths, are not a monolith. And the experience of being Muslim in America ranges widely, depending on age, gender, location and a host of other factors. It also isn’t one solely defined by an act of terror 15 years ago.
But Sept. 11 had a tremendous impact on Muslim American communities. Research shows that Muslim Americans were doubly traumatized, first by the attacks themselves and then again by the violent backlash toward their communities that ensued.
This misplaced retaliation began almost immediately. In 2002, FBI reported that incidents targeting people, institutions and businesses identified in some way with Islam increased by at least 1,600 percent. The report noted that prior to 2001, Muslims had been among the least-targeted religious groups.
I’m an American, and being labeled a safety threat is unacceptable in a country founded on tolerance and freedom.”Niala Mohammad
Aside from hate crimes, Muslims faced new daily struggles. Things like flying in airplanes, getting through security checkpoints, finding employment and housing without facing discrimination, and going to weekly worship services without fear of attacks or undue surveillance became a reality for many ― and still are.
“I’m an American, and being labeled a safety threat is unacceptable in a country founded on tolerance and freedom,” wrote Muslim American journalist Niala Mohammad, who was removed from an American Airlines flight in August reportedly for making the flight attendant feel “unsafe” by requesting water.
Mohammad blamed such discriminatory practices in part on anti-Muslim rhetoric in politics and media. It was the likes of Jerry Falwell and Franklin Graham 15 years ago, and it’s Donald Trump, Ann Coulter and others today.
American attitudes toward Islam have steadily dropped over the years, perhaps as a result of relentless public attacks on the faith. The number of Americans with favorable views of Islam fell from 41 percent in 2005 to 30 percent in 2010. In the same timeframe, they became slightly more likely to think Islam encourages violence more so than other religions.
A majority of Muslim Americans say it has become more difficult to be a Muslim in the United States since Sept. 11, and many also believe that the government “singles out” Muslims for increased surveillance and monitoring.
But for many young Muslims born after Sept. 11, Islamophobia seems to be a fact of life. To them, there was no before and after. They’ve only ever known a U.S. in which communities can wake up to see their mosques covered in anti-Muslim vandalism, in which mainstream politicians and talking heads can get away with using slurs to describe fellow Americans.
Many students feel Muslims are the exception — that everyone else has freedom of expression and religion, but for Muslims we have to reassure everyone that our religion is in no way compelling us to kill people.”Kameelah Rashad
The Huffington Post has recorded 260 acts of anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and political speech in the United States this year alone. During the month of Ramadan, there were at least 20 anti-Muslim crimes.
In the wake of terror attacks carried out by self-declared Muslims, such as those in Paris and San Bernardino, California last year, U.S.-based nonprofit group Crisis Text Line saw a major uptick in Muslims reaching out for help. The number of users ― many of them teenagers ― who referenced being Muslim and experiencing bullying and harassment increased by 6.6 times shortly after the Paris attacks in November 2015, the group’s director of communications told CNN.
Rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder were found to be higher among Muslim Americans than the general public and other minorities in a 2011 study, and researchers believe that to be related to ongoing discrimination and harassment they face in an increasingly anti-Islamic culture.
“One of the things I see that comes up repeatedly is about identity,” Kameelah Rashad, the Muslim chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania, told HuffPost for a previous article. “Many students feel Muslims are the exception — that everyone else has freedom of expression and religion, but for Muslims we have to reassure everyone that our religion is in no way compelling us to kill people.”
This pressure can be overwhelming, but it’s also given rise to increased interfaith efforts and public awareness campaigns on the part of Muslim communities around the country.
“[After Sept. 11] Muslim leaders and communities across the nation realized a need to educate their non-Muslim neighbors about Islam,” wrote Harvard University’s Pluralism Project. “Many Muslim communities opened their doors to the public, inviting non-Muslims to introductory lectures on Islam, and encouraging questions from non-Muslims.”
Muslim Americans ― U.S.-born and immigrant alike ― aren’t letting the likes of Donald Trump define the public image of their religion.
“There were a lot of controversies whether we should take part in the political process [before Sept. 11]. Was it halal [permissible] or haram [prohibited]?” Zahid Bukhari, executive director of the Council for Social Justice at the Islamic Circle of North America, told NPR.
“Now,” he said, “that debate is over.”
Suggested Readings
The Muslim Times’ Collection on Islam’s Condemnation of Terrorism
The Muslim Times’ Growing Collection to Refute Islamophobia
Categories: Counter Terrorism, Islamophobia, The Muslim Times
The 9/11 2001 has changed my faith in Islam from conservative / extremist Muslim to liberal / progressive Muslim.
I am one of those who are motivated to re-learn secrets contained in the Qur’an and the Bible after the barbaric terrorist attacks in New York Tower 11/9 2001 done by the hands of fellow Muslims. More than 3000 innocent people died. I was shocked and very sad.
I feel responsible as a Muslim and as a human being to speak out and tell the truth to prevent the world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe, destruction and misery, and war of civilizations. We, Muslim always claim that Islam is peaceful religion and bring mercy to all mankind. But on the contrary we see violence everywhere in Muslim Countries. Since then millions innocent people have already been suffered, displaced and killed. Nauzubillah. It is very sad, pity, heartbreaking and embarrassing too as a Muslim.
We have to admit that our current Islamic teaching, old /ancient interpretation of Islam by Extremist Clerics creates violence, oppression, discrimination, injustice, killing innocent people, children,women, blasphemy, gay-lesbian, apostate, create poverty and hatred toward Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Shia and Ahmadiyah.
We Muslims are the ones who need to change. It is a Muslim problem that needs a Muslim solution .
1. As long as Saudi Arabia and Iran still judge and blame each other, there will be no permanent peace in Middle East.
2. As long as Islamic clerics who live in United States of America still advocate Syariah Laws, and advocate Women to wear Hijab in public place, and work place, and advocate men to have long beadr, Islamophobia will be increased faster than we thought and will affect to Muslim’s daily life.
3. My best suggestion;
As long as American Muslims can practice our prayer 5 times a day, and we can fast every year, and pay Tax ( Zakat) to government, Allah will forgive and bless us all. In Islamic teaching, prayers ( Shalat), Fasting and tax or Zakat are obligation. Other rules that relate to the worldly matter can be changed / reformed according to the development and progress of knowledge and human’s cultures.
READ MORE’
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eWUfz-Hqg5w9qTuuz4e4a2uUQUutUKlkXi70ZnyFWX0/edit?usp=sharing
As 9/11 was most likely an ‘inside job’ by CIA / MOSSAD / SPECIAL FORCES (and special interests) not sure why this should affect a Muslim’s perspective.
@ Rafiq
“As 9/11 was most likely an ‘inside job’ by CIA / MOSSAD / SPECIAL FORCES (and special interests) not sure why this should affect a Muslim’s perspective”
Extremist Muslim have influenced your mind. you agree that those who attacked NYTW were not Muslims followers. Woow
Extremist Clerics have deceived Muslim around the world, they accused CIA /Mossad attacked 11/9 2001 at NY Towers.
Rafiq. look at Al Qaida’s statement today’s news.
“Terrorist group al-Qaeda has threatened the US of thousands of more deadly attacks, similar to the carnage seen on 11 September, 2001, when terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York and the Pentagon. In a video message, released on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Ayman al-Zawahiri called the 9/11 attacks a “slap” on the face of the US and its allies. “We mark in these days the passage of nearly 15 years since the blessed invasions in Washington, New York and Pennsylvania,” al-Zawahiri reportedly said in the video. …”
You do not believe that the Muslim Al Qaida have attacked NY Tower at 11/9?
Hopefully this information can change your thought and faith.
all love
Blaming others has become a fashion for some Muslims who know Islam . A normal Muslim mentality speaks otherwise . Go and ask a Pakistani Muslim about this heinous crime . You will surprise . Laden was and is their hero . This crime made him a hero of the Muslim world . even that father whose son is sending money from USA .
@ Syaed Aftab Alam
WHEREAS;
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW) FORBID TO JUDGE OTHER BELIEF OR RELIGION.
DO NOT SCOFF OR MOCK OTHER BELIEF OR RELIGION.
O you who believe, no man should ever scoff at other men. May be, the latter are better than the former. Nor should women (ever scoff) at other women. May be, the latter women are better than the former ones. And do not find fault with one another, nor call one another with bad nicknames. Bad is the name of sinfulness after embracing Faith. 4 If anyone does not repent, then such people are the wrong doers. QS 49 11
DO NOT INSULT OTHER RELIGIONS.
“And insult not those whom they worship besides God, lest they insult God wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do QS 6;108.
These Golden rule is found also in Christianity and Judaism.
Warning against Judging a Christian Brother.
Do not criticize one another, my brothers. Whoever criticizes a Christian brother or judges him, criticizes the Law and judges it. If you judge the Law, then you no longer one who obeys the Law. But one who judges it. God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can and destroy. Who do you think you are to judge your fellow-man?
ROMAN 14:10
Why do judge your brother?
Why do you show contempt for your brother?
For we shall all stand before God’s judgment
There for let us not judge one another any more.
Each of us shall account of him self.Roman
1. Do not accuse anyone falsely (exodus.20;16).
2. All of us will stand before God to be judged by Him.(Roman 14:11)
3. James 4:12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor.
Surely, your Lord is best aware of those who go astray from His way, and He is best aware of those who are on the right path.QS 6;117
Unfortunately Extremist Muslims, and Dr Zakir Naik judge and accuse Bible has altered publicly by human. Millions Christians around the world feel insulted by Dr Zakir Naik.
Extremist Christian also accuse Al Quran are satanic verses publicly.
So those who judge and accuse other belief are extremist ideology, they do not respect and accept the different belief and religion, They feel superior to others. They are dangerous for humanity. They can’t live in peace , harmony on this pluralistic world.
ONLY LIBERAL MUSLIM AND LIBERAL CHRISTIANS RESPECT AND TOLERANT OTHER BELIEFS INCLUDING LGBT.
i do not know about Muslim Ahamdiyah, hopefully Muslim Ahmadiyyah protect the right of LGBT. If do not, so Muslim Ahmadiyyah still follow the extremist Muslim’s faith relate to LGBT.
May Allah guide them to obey Human Right.
For You from My Heart.
All those who read shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to your people.
“Our Lord, give us paradise in this world and paradise in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of Fire.” QS 2:201
Wassalamu’alaikum wrwb–With all my love
READ MORE
http://ilovemodrenislam.blogspot.com/2016/04/islam-forbid-to-judge-other-belief-or.html
@ Ali Hadayah , blaming others for a wrong , gives a wrong message . As I have written earlier that Muslim intellectuals should play the role of the good mother when is told about the wrong done by her child ; she does not start blaming others but takes all positive steps for the betterment of her child and society . Mr. Trump is wrong when he says that Islam hates USA but right if says that Muslims hate USA . You talk to a Pakistani Muslim , you will have the real picture .
@ Syed Aftan Alam
You do not believe in Allah’s guidance that Allah said; Do not judge other faith or religion.
We can defend our belief but do not start to judge others.
A Mother can judge her children when they are wrong doing, but a mother can not judge others.