The Muslim Generation: Discrimination In The United States

Post 9/11 negative stereotypes and attitudes toward Muslims intensified in many Western societies. “The FBI recorded a sixteen-fold increase in hate crimes (e.g., acts of arson, aggravated assault, property crimes) against Muslim Americans from 2001 to 2002” (Rodriguez Mosquera & Khan & Selya, 2013). All of this goes to show that Non-Muslim Americans were taking out their emotions on innocent Muslims. Not only was all this going on, but the U.S. Congress’ response to the attacks was the USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act gave, “the government investigative powers to fight against terrorism and subsequently targeted those in the Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities with not just prejudices against these communities, but blatant racism toward innocent people, just because they appear to look like they “identify” with those who have made terrorist threats” (Akiyama, 2008). The discrimination post 9/11 was awful. The hijab which was seen as a prideful garment for Muslims became a target for discrimination. In the article, “9/11 Ten Years Later: Muslim Women, Organizations Work to Fight Discrimination, Patel talks about a woman, Wasan Mohamad. Mohamad talks about how she and her friends/family were discriminated against ten years after 9/11. Her daughter in class got told that her people were responsible for 9/11. Her friend changed his name from

Historically, the United States of America has a long history of shaping its ideology from a series of significant events that hold unspeakable brutality. This leads Americans to draw conclusions, which often leads to denouncing a particular body of people. For example, the enslavement of African Americans, the decimation of Native Americans, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Currently, while enduring several years in the U.S., Muslim Americans face similar difficulties as a human being would. However, these hardships differ because they include U.S. discrimination triggered by 9/11, current terrorist events, and negative reinforcement from the media and the general public. Muslim Americans experience the harmful effects of terrorism because acts of terrorism influence the way the U.S. views and thinks about Muslims.

Being a Muslim-American in post 9/11 America has been turbulent. Like most children, I longed to fit in and be accepted, but I also wanted to preserve my native cultural roots. The odds were against me as I struggled to find balance in a place that could barely tolerate me as a child, and would hold deep seated fear of me as an adult. In an attempt to combat this growing reality, I tried looking to the mosques. However, the local mosques were, instead of religious areas, cultural centers, and when the Afghan community in Chicago is non-existent, I remained confused as a Muslim in and out of the mosque.

Not only did 9/11 impact America physically, but it also took a huge toll psychologically. People responded to the terrorist attack with fear and started developing feelings of intolerance for immigrants, specifically immigrants who were or appeared to be from the Middle East. For example, people known as Sikhs, who followed Indian religion are targeted because they wear turbans, which are stereotypically associated with Muslims. Since the fatal attack, hate crimes associated with people of Islamic background have risen in the U.S. Mosques and temples of those who practice Islam as a religion have been targeted. Innocent people who are Arabs or are Muslim, now have to live with the unfair stereotype that says all Muslims/Arabs are terrorists.

Muslims now, suffer from discrimination in America ever since the 9-11 Era. Some people believe that muslims were the reason why 9-11 and other terrorists attacks happened. The hate for American-Muslims has increased by 78%. Even our president, Donald Trump, wanted a ban on immigration by Muslims. The anti-Muslim hate and violence have reportedly increased rapidly after Donald Trump’s comments on the Muslims. Social media and the news for months

Mogahed, a Muslim woman living in America at the time of the terrorist attack on 9/11, speaks about her experience with white America after the attack. She talked about what made her attracted to the Islam religion and how her friends reacted when she started wearing the Hijab. Her young friends asked her why she would willingly subject herself to the oppression that Americans see in Islam, she told them that wearing the Hijab is actually a feminist act. After 9/11 she faced strange looks, profanity shouted at her on the street, and the fear of what might happen if she didn't listen to the news. Muslims were told to stay indoors and not

She always dreamt of building her own mosque one day. Growing up, Hasna had a wonderful experience attending the mosque with her family. However, over time, she became aware of gender disparities that no embodied the spirit of inclusivity she longed for. Upon the completion of her education at University of California Berkeley and University of Southern California, Hasna decide to begin the initiative for a women’s mosque that would highlight and empower female scholars. “According to a Gallup Poll, Muslim women are the second most educated female religious demographic in America,” said Hasna. She began by documenting her ideas, gathering support by giving talks on the need for the space, and held a townhall meeting to gather opinions address concerns. With a board forming and the help of the Pico Union Project, the women were able to organize their first Jumah prayer, led by Edina Lakovic, on January 30th, 2015. Being a highly acclaimed speaker, “her involvement has brought a lot of attention to the mosque” Hasna

September 11th holds many hard and upset feelings around the world today. The harsh actions of Muslim extremists unfortunately completely changed the way Muslims are treated, especially in the United States. These events, exacerbated islamophobia. Unfortunately, “the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, connect Muslims and Islam to terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States.” (Byng) Although it has been over a decade since the attack, many still feel racist and discriminatory attitudes towards Muslims. Muslims are the targeted minority in the United States, “the 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the social and political context for Muslims in the United States. Terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States carried out by Muslims places an identity at the center of national and global politics.” (Byng) The blame of the horrible terrorist attacks, rather than be placed on terrorists or religious extremist, has been placed on Islam in America. After September 11th, hate crimes towards Muslims skyrocketed, “the most dramatic change noted by the report was a more than 1,600 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Muslims -- a jump from 28 hate incidents in 2000 to 481 last year.”

In this world there are many uncertainties, but one sure thing is that all men were created equal. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” In God’s eyes every human being is one, regardless of racial, ethnic, physical, or social differences (Galatians 3:28). This is the very mission of Social work. America today is opportunity, and yet a majority of its population is underprivileged and discriminated. One of the populations that experience a brunt of this racial discrimination is the Muslims, and the biggest reason for this is a lack of understanding. People tend to be so blinded by their fear, anger and discomfort that they fail to study who the Muslim people really are. If I was honest, I fail in much the same area. As a social worker, if the Lord called me to work with the Muslim people there would be several things I would need to do as preparation. For example, I would want to study their culture, religion and traditions. I would definitely need to confront my personal bias against the Muslim population, and study the various approaches and methods of intervention that might be effective when working with the Muslim people.

The problem is that media involved Islam in any terrorist ancient even though Islam is strongly not accepting that. Therefore, there are some discriminations against Muslims in the US society. In doing so, after any tourist incident, Muslims are more likely to face discrimination.

Terrorist attacks, Discrimination of Muslims in America is one of the points President Barack Obama addressed in his Final State of the Union address. President Obama had some cogent words for Republican candidates who have been admonishing that Muslims pose a threat to civilians in the United States. “We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion,” he said. “This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong.” issuing the terror applied to Muslims. “When politicians insult Muslims, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid bullied, that doesn’t make us safer. That’s not telling it like it is,” he said. “It’s just wrong. It diminishes us in the eyes of the world. It

I am interested in this topic because I’m taking a Sociology class, and this serious problem encouraged me to manipulate my knowledge into explaining why this becomes such a controversial issues. Looking at Muslim discrimination from a micro-level would help me having a better and deeper understanding, about what Muslim communities are experiencing everyday under the intense period right now in the United States. And how many people come to discriminate people who follow Muslim religion. I hope by doing research and go deeper to seek answers for the problem, I would be able to understand the social factor behind it, and spreading awareness about Muslim discrimination.

Many today believe that every time a terrorist attack happen is always committed by a muslim. This problem is creating discrimination toward the muslim community. Without knowing who really committed the crime people judge and say it was the muslim community. According to the article by Camille Dodero of the Boston Marathon before finding who were the suspects people were screaming and saying muslim should go back to their country, when this is where their were born, This is their country. This is causing muslim to be afraid and commit suicide because of bullying. According to a study in Yale University bullied victims are 7 to 9 percent likely to commit suicide. This information tell us the discrimination as a term of bully is making people act and hurt themself. Hate and discrimination against Muslims have starting getting worse after the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks. Based on Aol.com the percent of Muslim facing discrimination in the United State is 82%, saying that they face the most injustice.

alone in my desire for change and making a difference. My father has been an advocate for social justice and educating people for as long as I can remember. He has been my inspiration through this semester encouraging me and informing me about some of his projects. My father and some of his Muslim brothers back in Africa host a show called Islam and You on live TV and radio every Sunday. On this show they discuss topics from the Bible and Quran teaching people the true meaning of what Islam stands for. In the midst of all that is happening today with the image of the Muslims, my father continues to advocate for change. I admire his courage to not be angry at people who make generalization and puts everyone in the same box as a terrorist. Instead

On the other hand, Muslim students of different nationalities work together on the formation of student associations and carrying out Salahs and other religious duties (Yasmeen & Markovic, 2014). The Muslim youth, which enters, for example, the United States, have clearly contrasting values and customs to the dominant ethnic group in the host country and accordingly adapt to the situation, taking