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Muslims in the U.S. deals with stereotyping and prejudice against Muslims (Part II of our series)
by Ameena Jandali, Islamic Networks Group
Although one of the three Abrahamic faiths, probably one of the least known and most misunderstood in the Western world is Islam and its over one billion adherents. The word "Islam" itself, although one of
its meanings is "peace", is commonly linked to acts of terrorism by such terms as "Islamic fundamentalists, radicals or extremists." These phrases are enough to strike fear in the heart of any upright citizen,
with the image they invoke of a swarthy, bearded, wild-eyed fanatic, with a sword (or gun) in one hand and the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, in the other.The negative portrayal of Muslims dates as far back as the
Crusades, when parents would threaten their children with the "Saracens." In modern times, orientalists, and more recently, "Middle Eastern experts" and pundits have raised the specter of a monolithic, radical
Islam. Hollywood has traditionally treated Arabs and Muslims either as immoral rogues, or in recent years as savage terrorists. Hollywood has always loved villains, and no one fits that role better than the
Arab or Muslim terrorist who threatens a plane or the entire world, as in the recent movies "True Lies" and "Executive Decision." The media is equally culpable, with its use of descriptions that link Muslim
individuals and groups to their religion in a way that is not done with other groups. The term "Christian terrorist" was never applied to Serbs during the war in Bosnia, nor in reference to the IRA , despite
their open identification as such. Similarly, the media has not focused on the religious affiliation of Timothy McVeigh as it did with those convicted of the World Trade Center bombing, nor has it emphasized the
faith of the accused Unabomber, Theodore Kazynski. Muslims tend to be dehumanized by the media so that they are never given a human face, such as the thousands of Iraqi children who have died since the Gulf War due to
disease and malnutrition caused by U.N. sanctions. Issues such as poverty, oppression, and political suppression are rarely dealt with when relating to Muslims. And even when continuous evidence points
to the opposition rather than Muslim groups as the perpetrators of the barbaric violence occurring in Algeria, the media continues to insinuate the "Islamists," rather than the government. Such biased and
one-sided coverage not only shapes the attitudes of the reader, but can even lead to hate crimes and violence. During international events involving Muslims such as the Iranian Revolution, the Gulf War, or after the
first terrorist attack linked to Muslims, the World Trade Center bombing, there was a related rise in prejudice, harassment and hate crimes. Most affected are school children, who often must face cruel and unusual
harassment for events of which they are not even aware. It is common for Muslim students to be labeled "camel jockeys," Saddam Hussein" or "terrorist." Few Muslim children can develop a positive attitude
towards their faith and culture with the constant barrage of negative images and stories that are often perpetrated by the very schools and textbooks they look to for information. Muslim women are also especially
vulnerable if they choose to wear the modest Islamic dress, which includes covering the head with a scarf. The common perception that the head covering is a means of subjugating Muslim women, rather than
liberating her from her physical side, often leads to stereotyping and prejudice. The best example of the negative impact the media can have is that of the Oklahoma City bombing. Even before the dust had
settled, fingers were pointed at two "Middle Eastern-looking men." Media outlets across the country, fueled by FBI insinuations, wildly speculated about which of the various "radical Islamic militant groups" was
behind this nefarious act. As a result of a few hours of irresponsible media, before and even after the perpetrators were apprehended, millions of innocent Muslims and Arab-Americans were suddenly regarded as
suspect. Muslim and Arab businesses, mosques, and schools across the country were bombarded with hate calls, threats of violence, and even death threats. Many Muslim schools were closed or hired security
guards to protect the students and staff. Muslim children dreaded attending school for fear of harassment, and Muslim women wearing their distinctive headscarf were afraid to leave the house. In the two days
following the bombing, more than 220 separate incidents involving harassment or hate crimes were reported to the Muslim watchdog organization CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. In its special report
on anti-Muslim harassment after the Oklahoma City bombing, called "A Rush to Judgement", CAIR breaks down the types of harassment. About two-thirds of the incidents took the form of bias, harassment, and
intimidation. However, one-third of the incidents were much more serious: 28 percent took the form of stalking, police abuse, and bomb and death threat; and 6 percent , including shooting, beating, robbery and
arson, resulted in physical injuries. Seventy-seven percent of the offenses occurred in mosques, other Muslim-operated institutions, and homes. About two-thirds of the offenses occurred in four states:
California, New York, Texas and Oklahoma. Most attacks occurred within forty-eight hours of the blast in Oklahoma. Offenses dissipated after the authorities announced that the suspects were two Caucasian
males. However, some of the most serious offenses took place weeks after the bombing, including arson in Springfield, Illinois, and a shooting in Chicago. ("A Rush to Judgement", CAIR, 1995.) While the events
surrounding the first few hours after the Oklahoma City bombing are in no way typical of anti-Muslim harassment in the United States, they are an unforgettable reminder of the negative results that can be wrought by
misunderstanding, fear and prejudice. It is our hope that a new appreciation and understanding of our Muslim neighbors, can prevent a similar occurrence, and allow all Americans to enjoy the diversity and
contributions of its many different citizens. Ameena Jandali is a Board member and co-founder of the Islamic Networks Group, an outreach organization. |
