Muslim In America
Muslim in America – Voices

If one meets someone from another culture, that adds a human dimension that’s unobtainable when one only hears about another culture. Stereotypes are much more prevalent when there’s been no human contact.
People in general are much less willing to paint with a broad brush or generalize when they’ve actually met somebody from a different culture. I think that’s true whether it’s a discussion of Muslims in America, or any other group.
Since 9-11, there has been a willingness to generalize when that isn’t really an accurate assessment of an entire culture. I mean, there are a billion Muslims, and the percentage that are engaged in terrorist activities is extremely small.
It’s been pointed out that it’s no larger than in any other group. We have a recent memory of events, so that it becomes an out of context generalization.
There is discrimination and prejudice against Muslim people. It becomes easy for political leaders to whip up hysteria and use fear as a political weapon. They indulge in stereotypes and xenophobia.
That is particularly relevant to our current political climate. Anytime you have economic difficulties, you’re going to have a political leader who looks for a scapegoat or excuse to use for his or her own political advancement.
The deeper the economic trouble, the easier it is for politicians to capitalize on the atmosphere of discontent, economic hardship and fear. You have to wonder about right wing political opportunism, in the wake of 9-11. Muslims as a group have suffered because of that.
In regard to how the news portrays Muslims, I think it depends on which network you subscribe to. There’s bias on both sides, but we all know who has an axe to grind.
You’re going to hear a slanted portrayal of events not based on facts, but based on preconceived, prejudicial ideas. The news has an important role to play in times like this one, because certain organizations are really becoming nothing more than propaganda machines while others are maintaining some professionalism.
I think Islamophobia goes up and down in waves. There was a peak in the immediate aftermath of 9-11, and it peaked again at various other times, like after the Boston marathon. We have to remember to not judge those things out of context.
If the current administration in America stays in power, that’s not going to be good for tolerance in general, or Muslims in particular. It will get better if somebody else gets elected.
Muslim In America
Muslim in America – Voices

Instead, I just changed my whole outward appearance and decided I wanted to be Muslim. I come from a Catholic family with strong values, and to them, they believe that Islam is controlling.
They felt that I wouldn’t have rights as a Muslim woman and that I was going to become miserable. As you can see, this transition was not an easy one, to say the least.
While I was focusing on growing in my faith, my mother just kept worrying about me marrying a terrorist. My aunt even went as far as reading me Bible verses to bring me back on the ‘right path.’
Sometimes, my family still teases me about not eating pork anymore. Growing up Catholic, I use to eat pork freely but now that I don’t, I get made fun of. While it doesn’t bother me anymore, it used to hurt me to have my loved ones put down my beliefs.
Often times, the general public associates Islam with oppressiveness or violence. They misinterpret the Quran and end up fearing us because they do not understand us.
The media does not help us build a positive image either. Usually, women are portrayed in the media as slaves who are oppressed by ‘barbaric’ Muslim men.
Women like me are seen as easy targets because we chose to represent who we are through our dress. This should not be so, but it is and a lot of this hatred and confusion exists because of 9/11.
See, even though it has been 17 years since 9/11, Islamophobia still sits heavy in the hearts of many Americans. However, if people reach out to their fellow Muslim neighbors, there could be a better understanding of Muslims nationally.
Muslim In America
Muslim in America – Voices

This can be a struggle within one’s soul that causes them to give into impulses and stray off of their path. This is something that I believe everyone goes through in life.
Although it is rather difficult to do, I personally try to teach people about my faith. Currently, I am the treasurer of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Pace University.
I really wanted to make MSA a big thing at Pace. But, so many people just aren’t that interested in the idea. Whenever I ask my non-Muslim friends to even come to a meeting, I usually get a ‘Are you joking?’ or ‘You’re really a part of that?’
While the lack of support is rather discouraging, it just goes to show me that people still view us in a negative light. And that the negative light they see us through can be traced back to how the media portrays us.
I think the fear of Islam stems from 9/11 and how Islam is portrayed in the media. The media never focuses on the peaceful and religious aspects of Islam. Instead, they focus on the daunting acts of terrorists from the Middle East.
My family hasn’t suffered to the extent that some other families had, but I still have heard some rough remarks. For instance, in high school, one of my closest friends said that I looked like a terrorist. Although it was just a joke, I was very offended by it.
More recently, I personally underwent an embarrassing TSA pat down at the airport last year. A security woman touched every aspect of my body. I felt humiliated.
Although there is a long road to walk before Islamophobia disappears, I do think that, recently, people have become more accepting towards us. Individuals are realizing the world could be a better place if we learnt to love each other for who we are. Therefore, I am very hopeful that more people will be accepting towards Muslims in the near future.
Muslim In America
Muslim in America – Voices

I live in a very diverse area where being something other than ‘white’ is not exactly uncommon. In general, I tend to hang out with a crowd of other Muslims. So, I never really feel out of place.
I have never really felt any sort of discrimination. But, it was not until recently that I learned that my parents had not had that same luxury.
Although our religious practices in our family have become laxer as my siblings and I have aged, my mother recently confessed she made us practice religion so heavily as children because she wanted us to make friends with other Muslims.
My parents, specifically, chose to live in a more diverse area so we did not stick out from the crowd. She did not want to draw attention to us, so we could avoid as much prejudice and discrimination as possible.
I think people today are much more tolerant and accepting of Muslims than they used to be. Based on what Muslims used to face, I’m sure my parents’ fear and paranoia is justified. However, I feel that people are starting to let go of their preconceived notions.
People are beginning to learn that stereotypes are not based in truth. Once people realize that terrorism is not linked to the Muslim religion, maybe they will be less afraid.
Extremists and terrorists are not a true reflection of Islam. Once people begin to realize this, we may be one step closer to working toward peace and harmony between all people.