One of the biggest issues in our country today is terrorism. Many Americans are surrounded by fear of potential attacks and many more have ideas and perceptions of Muslims rooted in their mind. Yet these thoughts play a major role in racism and islamophobia, thoughts that could contribute to more terrorism, and more harmful impacts on our Muslim brothers and sisters. Muslim communities have been under intense surveillance, mapping and identifying neighborhoods where many Muslims preside. Kamalakar Duvvuru, who teaches the New Testament in India, says, “In 2007 the Los Angeles Police Department [LAPD] launched an extensive mapping program to identify Muslim enclaves across the city. LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing told the Los Angeles Times: …show more content…
Disagreement over oil and politics caused tension, bubbling and waiting to burst for years. But what really set it off was the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Hatred skyrocketed, and the FBI reported a 1600% increase in hate crime against Muslims the year following 9/11. The Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee confirmed over 700 hate crimes within the 9 weeks after the tragedy. Ever since 9/11 young Muslims have grown up with discrimination. A study found that there was a 153% increase in workplace discrimination against Muslims following 9/11. In airports, TSA security has been boosted, but those with an Arabic appearance are susceptible to biased screenings, pat downs, and in some cases, being …show more content…
Hammasa Kohistani, the first Muslim to be crowned Miss England, used her crown as a platform to warn people against stereotyping. She said her winning of the title was “sugar-coating” to the manner in which Muslims have been treated. Hammasa said, “The attitude towards Muslims has gotten worse over the year... Even moderate Muslims are turning to terrorism to prove themselves. They think they might as well support it because they are stereotyped anyway. It will take a long time for communities to start mixing in more… Tony Blair addressed Muslims in particular, telling them that they need to sort out the problem within. That was a huge stereotype of the Islamic community.” As Hammasa states, when Muslims feel alienated by western culture, they may turn to extremism. “I feel after everything that 's happened Muslims are being stereotyped negatively. The whole community has been labelled and, whether they are guilty of crime or not, they are getting penalised for it.” She finishes. Hammasa’s message is important- it is the duty of western countries to accept their Muslim citizens. Zakariya Muhammad Reed, the veteran stopped at the US border, later expressed his anger in a letter to the Interagency Border Inspection System. He wrote, "Nobody will give me any information as to why I am being detained. I would like to know exactly what I am being accused of and why is it that I