JEDDAH/WASHINGTON D.C., 13 September — The terror increased for Arabs and Muslims in America the day after the twin strikes in Washington D.C. and New York with violent incidents against them occurring throughout the country, despite the fact that the investigation into Tuesday’s terrorist attacks has only just begun.
The Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has reported that businesses in the State of Pennsylvania were attacked, Muslims in Chicago assaulted and several mosques subjected to random gunshots. Police initially played down the threats but now that the violence is escalating the authorities are being more responsive. In New York, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced that neighborhoods with large Arab-American populations would receive extra police protection to shield residents from any backlash.
Neighborhood youngsters taunted Pakistani Muslim children in New Jersey, telling them, “We will bomb you. We will kill you.”
Fearing even more aggressive behavior, many Muslim parents kept their children home from school. Saudi Aramco contacted all college students under its sponsorship in the US and advised them to go to classes and then return directly to their living quarters. Some students contacted the Saudi Embassy in Washington D.C. before it was evacuated. They were advised to remain indoors and keep a low profile.
A veiled Saudi woman in transit from Washington D.C. to San Diego at the time of the attack was grounded in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her luggage was searched and the woman was initially refused lodging at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The hotel only relented when she threatened to sue.
Muslims are also reportedly wary of using public transport. A Lebanese man riding the metro in Washington D.C. was verbally abused by an Israeli, who screamed at him, “Americans should get off our backs so we can kill all you terrorists.” Other passengers in the car shook their heads in agreement.
Unconfirmed reports say that a Saudi woman was severely beaten and has been admitted to Arlington Hospital in Arlington, Virginia.
Muslim cab drivers in New York have been beaten and there were two assaults on Muslim-owned food marts in New Jersey. A Palestinian grocer in San Francisco said that he had endured taunts like, “Go back to your country,” and “We should kill you all.” Arson is suspected in the fires at an Islamic bookshop and a Palestinian-owned carpet shop in Virginia.
Even in cyberspace Muslims are not safe. Muslims report receiving hate e-mail containing messages telling them to kill themselves, leave the country or kill other
Muslims. In the mail Muslims are referred to as idiots, niggers and ignorant inbreeds. One mail concluded with the wish that it was hoped that the Muslim’s “church would burn to the ground.”
Slurs were especially harsh under the cover of anonymity in Internet chat rooms. “Now maybe all decent people will realize that the sub-human Arab maggot scum must be dealt with,” read a message in an online discussion of Middle East politics.
Despite such behavior, the Muslim community continues to act with understanding and is attempting to prove that they are a part of the fabric of American life. The Qatari Embassy canceled its National Day celebrations “in solidarity with the American people.”
Muslim groups are organizing blood donation campaigns. Muslim medical professionals have gone to area hospitals to offer aid.
CAIR is urging Muslims to participate in the relief effort but to be aware of the need for personal safety. Mosques have been advised to post members at entrances and parking areas during prayer times and that those choosing to wear Islamic attire should stay out of public areas. The threats are very real. In the first few weeks after the Oklahoma bombing Muslims reported more than 200 incidents of harassment, verbal abuse and violence.
Statements have been issued by numerous Arab and Muslim American groups condemning the violence. The Arab American Institute’s condolence read: “We are in the midst of a national nightmare of unimaginable proportions. What is unfolding is horrible and almost too painful to watch. Arab Americans, like all Americans, are transfixed by the tragedy. We have family and friends who worked in the World Trade Center and for the federal government. We mourn for those who lost their lives and for those who were injured. We mourn, as well, for our country in this time of national trauma.”
