JEDDAH, 4 December — What has been little discussed in the media, either here or abroad, is the way Muslims in the United States benefited greatly from the support of non-Muslims because of the Sept. 11 attacks — and as a consequence are now more integrated and understood in that country than ever before.
This striking claim was made by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Amoudi, president of American Muslim Foundation (AMF), in an exclusive interview with Arab News.
The first vivid example of the positive interaction was the large number of Muslim volunteers who partook in the rescue and fire-fighting tasks with non-Muslim Americans.
“Later on, we received the overwhelming support of many American organizations that have helped to combat the negative images and stereotyping regarding Islam and Muslims propagated by the media,” Al-Amoudi said.
This outpouring of support was embodied in the practical help provided by local churches in repairing Islamic bookstores attacked in a number of hate crimes.
“There are many churches that also invited Muslims to talk about Islam,” Al-Amoudi added. “As a result, reports stated that all of the translated copies of the Qur’an sold out in local bookstores.”
“Many Americans are also reading books on Islam written by American Muslims. They want to know more about our religion and more about the roots of conflicts involving Muslims around the world,” he added.
In spite of all the problems Muslims in America have faced over the last ten years, the American people are still generally interested in learning about Islam, said Al-Amoudi.
Moreover, after the terrorist attacks Muslims themselves looked to one another for support and they developed a greater sense of unity. Muslims reassessed their situation and became more aware of controversial issues that affected their lives. The terrorist attacks gave Muslims previously isolated and passive a chance to express themselves, and their religion, positively and assertively.
The fact that many Christians in the United States are Unitarians — a denomination that does not believe in the Trinity, and stresses individual freedom of belief, a united world community and liberal social action — creates “a great bond between them and the Muslims,” he continued.
“The major responsibility of Muslims and Islamic organizations is to be well prepared for a professional and healthy dialogue about all of the prime issues that affect
“Muslims throughout the world. There are many positive ways for Muslims to express themselves and relay their message articulately,” Al-Amoudi said.
Arabs and Muslims in the United States are particularly grateful for the strong statements issued by Attorney General John Ashcroft, to the effect that his administration will deal very severely with those who commit hate crimes. Muslims believe that there would have been many more hate crimes if this message had not been put as strongly and unequivocally as it was.
Al-Amoudi advises Saudi students who abandoned their studies in the United States to consider returning. They have nothing to worry about, he says, as long as they abide by the law and do not violate visa regulations.
“Although the United States had to take drastic measures to protect itself after the attacks, it is still a very safe and peaceful country for students,” he insisted.
On the question of alleged widespread detention of Arabs and Muslims without trial, Al-Amoudi stated that there is no Muslim — and certainly no Saudi — interned without charge.
“However, American law presently gives the Attorney General the right to keep any suspect in custody for a week as a legal procedure. Most of those who were imprisoned have problems with their immigration visas. Some of Saudi students who have been taken to prisons were unfortunately charged with making cell phone calls to friends and relatives congratulating them directly after the attacks,” Al-Amoudi explained.
