Why Bus Ad Campaign?

THE CONDITIONS OF MUSLIM AMERICANS POST 9/11
 
Muslim Americans have been on the spot light since the September 11, 2001.  Their civil rights, human rights and religious rights, as well as many of their constitutional rights have been and are being violated, some feeling like second class citizens. 

The above statement is no longer simply a claim.  It is rather now a fact, backed by scholarly research and data.  A quick look at any academic journal about the subject on hand will open person’s eyes to the reality of contemporary Muslim American lives, and the depth of their suffering.  

Cultural Dynamics published an article, The Rules of Forced Engagement:  Race, Gender, and the Culture of Fear among Arab Immigrants in San Francisco Post-9/11, among many other horrendous violations that are recorded, it clearly states that, “In the eighth months following 9/11, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 488 charges of backlash discrimination stemming from 9/11.”  It further continues that, “California had the second highest number of cases after Texas.” (Naber, 246)

Another intellectual journal, Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights had an article by another distinguished author on Preventing the New Internment:  A Security-Sensitive Standard For Equal Protection Claims in The Post 9/11 Era.  This article is rather extensive and valuable, but for our purpose here, it will suffice to say that it found that “selective enforcement and discrimination” was used against the Muslim Americans which is “unconstitutional.”  It further argues that not only such treatments are unconstitutional, but they are also not effective in brining more security to our nation.  He supports this claim with the findings of University of Chicago Law professor Bernard Harcaourt who said “There is no empirical evidence whatsoever, nor a solid theoretical reason why racial profiling would be an effective measure—rather then a counterproductive step resulting in detrimental substitutions and increases terrorist attacks.” (Hussain, 122-123)

Michelle D. Bang, Temple University, on the other hand in the article, Complex Inequalities:  The Case of Muslim Americans After 9/11 notes and names many individuals and groups that have been unfair and unjust in their statements and actions towards both Islam and Muslims.  This is either out of ignorance, or they may have some specific agendas, either way we will stay away from naming individuals or groups such people should not be worth mentioning, but for those curious minds you may read the article on your own and find out who those bigots are.  Bang brings evidence that there are people that are setting up Islam as “what is evil, false and violent.”  It is further discusses that “The institutional structuring of unequal treatment through policy indicates systemic or structural racism,” and that “Once formally marked for discrimination through political legislation and policies, social inequality becomes the experience of Muslim Americans.”  (Bang, 659-674)

Geneive Abdo, a fellow at the Joan B. Kroc Institute at the University of Nortre Dame, who is writing about Muslim in America states, “The Bush administration has focused its attention on winning the hearts and minds of Muslims abroad.  Yet, what about the six to seven million Muslims in the United States whose lives were dramatically altered by the September 11 attacks.”  He further observes that Muslim Americans are “exercising their rights as Americans to enhance their identity as Muslims.”  (Abdo, 7-17)

WHAT ARE MUSLIM AMERICANS DOING ABOUT THIS SITUATION

As Geneive has correctly observed, Muslim Americans are exercising their rights and doing something about their contemporary situation.  There are many organizations that are advocating for equal treatment at various levels of government or legal system through various diplomatic strategies.

Islamic Circle of North America on the other hand has chosen to take this matter at its core, which is lack of knowledge, misinformation about Islam, and Muslims being presented in a negative light by those who have agendas.  Islamic Circle of North America realizes that a public that is ignorant about the subject cannot be blamed for backing up policies that are unjust, unfair, and unconstitutional at the same time.  

Therefore Islamic Circle of North America with full trust in the goodness of general American citizens has decided to presents its case to the general American public by making sure that they are educated about Islam, that they know the truth, and that they have the opportunity to speak to Muslims directly if they wish to do so.  (That’s one of purpose of WhyIslam Hotline, 1-877-WhyIslam)

It is with this spirit coupled with our religious duty to do dawa (inviting people to Islam or giving the message of Islam to people) which has motivated us to start the WhyIslam project which contains outdoor advertisings including Bus, and Billboard Advertising.

It should be noted that while it is the religious duty of every Muslim to preach, teach, and invite people to Islam, it should be also noted that Islam has specific rules and regulations that Muslims must followed when doing dawa (or inviting others to Islam).

The duty of Muslims in this regard is clarified in the Qur’an itself, “And our duty is only to tell (others) the clear message” (Qur’an, 36:17) and also very clearly spelled out, that “Let there be no force (or compulsion) in religion:  Surely Truth stands out clear from error:  Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has held the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks.  And Allah is All Hearing (Sami’), and All Knowing (Aleem). ” (Qur’an, 2:256)

This is the reason why we are publicizing Islam through various venues and creative techniques.  We hope and pray that Americans at large realize our positive approach and take actions by simply opening the lines of direct communication with the Muslim Americans, getting to know a Muslim, visiting a Mosque, having a lunch or dinner with a Muslim while discussing those issues that are important to them about Islam.  Learning in the process about Islam and Muslims, and yes we pray that they also stop stereotyping us, framing us in negative light and start treating us as brothers and sisters in humanity as we would like to treat them.

Opening or initiating such communication lines and teaching opportunities will only enhance America as a whole.  James R. Moor put it in these words, “Teaching about Islam will allow students (or general public) to obtain a knowledge base, engage in critical thinking, develop a sense of the complexities and contradictions common to all religious and political worldviews, and make informed and rational decisions that, hopefully, will lead to greater intercultural understanding and social justice.”  (Moore, 155) 
 

References:

Abdo, Geneive.  “Islam in America: Separate but Unequal.” The Washington Quarterly.  28:4 (2005): 7-17

Byng, Michelle.  “Complex Inequalities:  The Case of Muslim Americans After 9/11.” American Behavioral Scientist. 51 (2008):  659-674

Hussain, Rashad. “Preventing the New Internment: A Security-Sensitive standard for Equal Protection Claims in the Post 9/11 Era.” Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights 13:1 (2007):117-156

Naber, Nadine.  “The Rules of Forced Engagement:  Race, Gender, and the Culture of Fear among Arab Immigrants in San Francisco Post-9/11.”  Cultural Dynamics 18:3 (2006): 235-267

Moore, James.  “The Role of Islam and Muslims in American Education.” Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue. (2005) 155-165

Quran.  (Translation), Ahmed, Vicar.  The Glorious Qur’an: A simplified Translation for the Young people.  2nd Ed. 2003.  New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc