MUSLIMS IN AMERICA AFTER 9-11

Mohammed Nimer presented his long paper related to the existence of Muslims in USA after 9-11 into four points of discussion; that is, first, Muslims exercising civic duty; second, the growth of interfaith dialogue; third, anti-Muslim backlash; fourth, American government responses; and the fifth is the alliance to safeguard civil liberties

Related to Muslims exercising civic duty, Nimer talked first of all about condemning the Attacks. It is clearly noted that there were several American Muslim organizations such as Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), and Imam Warith Deen Muhammad’s Muslim American Society (MAS) all condemned the terrorist attacks. They said: “American Muslims utterly condemn what are vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators…”. Besides condemning the terrorist attacks, Islamic organizations and leaders reached out to other faith communities to condemn terrorism in solidarity with one another. For instance, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. In here they overtly said: “We believe that the one God calls us to be people of peace. Nothing in our Holy Scriptures, nothing in our understanding of God’s revelation justifies terrorist acts and disruption of millions of lives.”

American Muslim leaders also made special efforts to appear in the media of Muslim world that is to air their emphatic condemnation of the terrorist attacks. Imam Hamza Yusuf consulted with President Bush sat side by side in solidarity dealing with condemning the attacks. Besides, dozens of scholars of Islam throughout the USA intended to speak against terrorism, to clarify the Islamic position on the attacks, and to express their compassion for grieving family members. Hence, American Muslims took in part for supporting anti-terror law enforcement. To make it more concrete American Muslim endorsed the need for a military campaign overseas as well as a domestic law enforcement effort to bring the perpetrators of the 9-11 attacks to justice. As the US began the military campaign in Afghanistan, American Muslim groups issued statements in support of bringing the perpetrators of 9-11 to justice.

Also, American Muslims joined in the healing, i.e. American Muslim involved to heal the psychological wounds; Muslims rushed to help in the rescue and recovery operations; they donated blood at the Red Cross building in Washington D.C, etc. To be much fairer and more objective, American Muslims also fully appreciated the work of the firefighters, police officer, and other emergency personnel for saving lives. Those had done a great of works to overcome the attacks.

In dealing with the growth of interfaith dialogue, American Muslims made a strategic program for the sake of sharing the real knowledge of Islam. They in this case opened mosques to neighbors i.e. mosques opened their doors, Muslims conducted educational programs and teach-ins, and Islamic organizations and centers launched media and advertising campaigns to communicate with their fellow Americans. Related to faith and ethnic communities uphold tradition of tolerance, in this moment American Muslims actually got sympathy from other social groups due to being victimized for the impact of the attack. For example, many non-Muslim women around USA began donning scarves themselves as a sign of solidarity with Muslim sisters. Through the internet, they established a global network called Scarves for Solidarity to support the right of Muslim women to choose their headwear.

In the topic of Anti-Muslim Backlash, Nimer presented of how the spirit of tolerance was clouded t times with intolerant speech directed at Muslims. For the example, in June 2002, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in St. Louis, Rev. Jerry Vines told SBC conventioneers that the prophet Muhammad was a “demon-possessed pedophile”. Hence, on American Government Responses, national political leaders worked to set the tone of tolerance toward Muslims. Besides, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab Americans, American Muslims and South Asians in the wake of 9-11. Local and federal authorities also acted with resolve against the anti-Muslim backlash. In this case, the Washington Post reported (Oct 3, 2001) that Montgomery County logged 12 hate crimes reported since 9-11. The Los Angeles Police Department reported logged nearly 100 incidents, most targeting Arab-Americans, Muslims, afghan-Americans, Sikhs, Asians, etc. More importantly, on October 26, 2001, the President signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, which is also known as the USA PATRIOT Act. The Act gives the executive branch the power to detain immigrant suspects for lengthy periods of time. The law permits personal or business records to be seized for an investigation without prior evidence of connection to terrorism or criminal activity.

And the last topic is on the alliance to safeguard civil liberties. Here Nimer sensed the impact of the USA PATRIOT Act particularly. Besides, fearing the impact of Justice officials’ sweeping new powers, national civil rights groups and Arab and Muslim organizations have formed a coalition to defend against practices they say violate people’s civil liberties. It also demands that justice Department officials release more information about the remaining detainees held for immigration violations and stop the questioning of young male foreigners (who were mostly coming from Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries). So, in the end, Nimer tried to capture how American Muslims suffered from the 9-11 attacks specifically on their status and their very presence in the United States. **** 

Reference:

Nimer, Mohammad. 2002. "Muslims in America After 9-11". Source: www.heinonline.org.

Reported by NURIADI SAYIP