Comments on: Growing up Muslim in Post 9/11 America: Running from Hate http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate Wed, 15 May 2013 19:10:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fatema Kahil http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8675 Fatema Kahil Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:29:21 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8675 Wonderful piece Noora. I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened and I definitely felt the effects of it immediately. The same day at school the principal announced that Arab terrorists killed Americans, and suddenly I felt everyone's eyes turn on me-especially since I wore hijab at the time. I remember this eerie silence that spread through my neighborhood too. All the kids were always in the streets, and I remember being really good friends with all of them, even the children a few blocks away, but after 9/11 the doors closed and the American flags went up. No one was allowed to to come out and play--especially not with my siblings and me. I think the most difficult part was feeling like I wasn't fully human anymore. The alienation and racism was terrible, especially when it came from my teachers and peers. But despite all this, my family and I put ourselves out there. We'd always make sweets and take fruit baskets to our neighbors and take the opportunity to tell them about who we are. I always spoke up in class and rectified whatever was wrongly said against Muslims. It definitely helped, and a lot of our neighbors would actually smile and wave when the walked by. The anger and fear is going to be there, and our job is to work to project the real image of Islam and Muslims to alleviate those emotions. After all, people fear what they don't know, and in this case, it's who they dont' know. Wonderful piece Noora. I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened and I definitely felt the effects of it immediately. The same day at school the principal announced that Arab terrorists killed Americans, and suddenly I felt everyone’s eyes turn on me-especially since I wore hijab at the time. I remember this eerie silence that spread through my neighborhood too. All the kids were always in the streets, and I remember being really good friends with all of them, even the children a few blocks away, but after 9/11 the doors closed and the American flags went up. No one was allowed to to come out and play–especially not with my siblings and me. I think the most difficult part was feeling like I wasn’t fully human anymore. The alienation and racism was terrible, especially when it came from my teachers and peers. But despite all this, my family and I put ourselves out there. We’d always make sweets and take fruit baskets to our neighbors and take the opportunity to tell them about who we are. I always spoke up in class and rectified whatever was wrongly said against Muslims. It definitely helped, and a lot of our neighbors would actually smile and wave when the walked by. The anger and fear is going to be there, and our job is to work to project the real image of Islam and Muslims to alleviate those emotions. After all, people fear what they don’t know, and in this case, it’s who they dont’ know.

]]> By: Eric Ali http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8644 Eric Ali Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:26:36 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8644 "It is a tragedy shared by families of all nationalities and all faiths and it should never be associated in anyone’s mind with violence and hate-mongering." "sigh" Life as it is, and life as we desire it to become. Thanks for sharing the dream Noora. “It is a tragedy shared by families of all nationalities and all faiths and it should never be associated in anyone’s mind with violence and hate-mongering.”

“sigh” Life as it is, and life as we desire it to become. Thanks for sharing the dream Noora.

]]> By: Bayan Abusneineh http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8611 Bayan Abusneineh Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:11:43 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8611 I think it's really crazy seeing the different reactions of people in different areas of the United States- because they're all different, some harsher than others. This definitely takes a toll on the younger generation who are confused as to why we are connected with the attacks. Great article, thanks for sharing. I think it’s really crazy seeing the different reactions of people in different areas of the United States- because they’re all different, some harsher than others. This definitely takes a toll on the younger generation who are confused as to why we are connected with the attacks. Great article, thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Alia Dawlat Ghoneum http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8607 Alia Dawlat Ghoneum Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:45:32 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8607 Asalaamu alykum sister, Jazak Allahu kheiran for sharing your experience with us. You are absolutely right, those who fill their hearts with hatred towards Muslims because of September 11th, are greatly misguided and act in utter ignorance. Even ten years later, it is still difficult for us...i still get those glares/awkward stares when I walk into a store with hijab. May Allah tala give us the strength to continue educating the public about the real Islam(and dispelling Islamophobia) with beautiful patience. Bi'iznillah, we can replace hatred for peace. wasalam, Asalaamu alykum sister,
Jazak Allahu kheiran for sharing your experience with us. You are absolutely right, those who fill their hearts with hatred towards Muslims because of September 11th, are greatly misguided and act in utter ignorance. Even ten years later, it is still difficult for us…i still get those glares/awkward stares when I walk into a store with hijab. May Allah tala give us the strength to continue educating the public about the real Islam(and dispelling Islamophobia) with beautiful patience. Bi’iznillah, we can replace hatred for peace.
wasalam,

]]> By: Neyamatullah http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8605 Neyamatullah Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:37:38 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8605 Ameen. Thank you so much for sharing! Ameen. Thank you so much for sharing!

]]> By: Nader Nasr http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8600 Nader Nasr Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:37:00 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8600 JazaakyAllahu Khairan for sharing. Your experiences remind me of one of the our family friends. A couple of years ago, she began to wear hijab but because of the hate and verbal abuse she experienced, she stopped wearing it. May Allah (SWT) give strength and courage to our sisters in Islam who are currently the flag-bearers of this beautiful religion. Ameen. JazaakyAllahu Khairan for sharing. Your experiences remind me of one of the our family friends. A couple of years ago, she began to wear hijab but because of the hate and verbal abuse she experienced, she stopped wearing it.

May Allah (SWT) give strength and courage to our sisters in Islam who are currently the flag-bearers of this beautiful religion. Ameen.

]]> By: Nida http://al-talib.org/2011/09/10/growing-up-muslim-in-post-911-america-running-from-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-8596 Nida Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:10:38 +0000 http://al-talib.org/?p=1751#comment-8596 You ask a great question and I hope people learn from your experience and analysis to discontinue such a hateful mentality. You ask a great question and I hope people learn from your experience and analysis to discontinue such a hateful mentality.

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