A year after the attacks of Sept. 11, the number of threats against Memphis-area Muslims has decreased but a false perception of them still lingers said Nabil Bayakly, Director of the Muslim Student Association.
Hours after the attacks, members of the MSA were worried after they had threatening calls on their answering machine and the sign outside their building was destroyed.
“Every Muslim is not a terrorist,” Bayakly said.
He said that the truth is being twisted and used as a ploy to get Americans into war. It starts with President Bush down to the local news, he added.
“The point is, they are trying to portray the negative image of Islam to fight terrorism,” he said.
He added that after President Bush claimed that America would crusade against Islam, it was clear to Muslims that they were being singled out.
“Bush took the comment back later, but the damage had been done,” Bayakly said. Students, Mothanna Haimed and Mohammed Quadri, said they do not have a voice in government. There is a Muslim lobby in Washington, but the representation just isn’t strong enough, said Haimed, an MIS major.
Fayez Eloqlah from the Muslim Society of Memphis said that Sept. 11 was a sad day for all Americans.
“It was very unfortunate, it was totally against Islam,” he said.
He said that many people do not realize the number of Muslims killed that day, because of extremists every Muslim was pinpointed.
“You have to defend your rights,” Eloqlah said. “The perception is we are guilty by association which is nonsense. I had nothing to do with what happened.”
He added that unlike other faiths, every time a Muslim does something wrong it is pointed out that they are Muslim.
“The media is guilty of the false perception,” he said.
“People have been put off airplanes because they look Middle Eastern and that’s unfair.”
However, he feels that the false perception stays mostly in the media. He does not receive the same reaction from non-Muslim citizens.
“Personally the overall perception has been positive more than negative,” Eloqlah said.
Bayakly agrees, saying that the events have prompted people to find out the truth for themselves. He said every time something negative is said in the media, he receives countless calls from different churches and organizations checking on them to make sure they are okay.
“It has brought solidarity,” he said.
He added that in a way, the discrimination has worked to their advantage. It has caused people to question the acts of the government and the media. He cautions people to be careful of what news they believe and encourages them to search for the truth on their own.
He said that Muslims in Arabic nations also have a false perception of America.
“They see the Hollywood version, a nation of decadence and immorality,” he said. “Some did justify the attacks of Sept. 11.
“It was a horrible day.”
He spoke of Salman Hamedi, a Muslim-American from Pakistan, who was killed in the World Trade Center while helping fireman in a rescue effort. Because he was an active member in his New York City mosque, he was put on America’s Most Wanted list of terrorists. His family was persecuted, and his name was destroyed, Bayakly said.
He said that innocent Muslims are being arrested in America, thrown into prison and not given a chance to speak.
“We’re at a turning point,” Bayakly said, “Just like the Japanese in the 40’s, African-Americans in the 60’s and Homosexuals in the 80’s, the early 21 century is the Muslims time. We’re going to come out of this.”
“Every minority that suffered became strong as long as you don’t lose your identity.”
He added that the American Civil Liberties Union has just taken a major step to aid Muslims.
“They are giving free legal representation to Muslims whose rights have been violated,” he said.
One year later, things have changed, he added.
To commemorate the anniversary, the Muslim Student Association is working with the University on the Candlelight Remembrance Service Wednesday night. The service will take place at 8 p.m. at the Student Plaza.
They will be highlighting the story of Salman Hamedi as an example of the Muslim plight.
The Muslim Society of Memphis, with the help of MIFA, will be feeding homeless and elderly people.
