Huff Post: Hammad Moses Khan: Certain moments define us. As Americans, we find these moments often come at times of tragedy. Pain and suffering strike a special chord in the American ethos. They remind us that we are united, that we care, and that we truly are the land of the free and the home of the brave. As President Obama put it, these moments remind us that “We are Americans — united in concern for our fellow citizen.”
And that’s why it hurts. That’s why it hurt so much to be an American Muslim today. As I dropped my head in prayerful prostration this afternoon, my thoughts were with the people of Boston. As I brought my hands together in supplication this evening, my prayers were with those still fighting for their lives. But my heart? It was feeling the brunt of a day spent hurting, a day shouldering an added burden it never deserved.
Today’s tragedies brought shock, pain and horror and heavied the hearts of all Americans. But for American Muslims, there was an added weight: We watched as calls for the execution for all American Muslims were made. We listened as the word “Muslim” was used seemingly as a synonym for the terms “terrorist” and “bomber.” We waited fearfully as our faith was put to trial before a single suspect had even been identified.
Within our communities, texts and emails were circulated urging people to be careful. There might be hate crimes tonight. Women with hijabs and men with beards may become easy targets. No one knew how the day would unfold and what the night would bring. Overwhelmingly, American Muslims were afraid. Over and over again, the same refrain was shared: No, not again – not another 9/11, not another decade of being hated.
Categories: Americas