Muslim Americans still struggle with hate crimes, 15 years after 9/11
September 11, 2001 is a day many Americans will never forget. The largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil claimed the lives of 2,996 people and forever changed the lives of millions more.
Muslim Americans, in particular, were heavily impacted by the attacks, as hate crimes against the group sky rocketed following the attacks.
15 years later, Muslim Americans still face discrimination in their everyday lives as fear of Islamic terrorism grows in America, despite Muslims being the victims of the majority of terrorist attacks world wide.
According to the New York Times, the rate of suspected hate crimes against Muslims in America has tripled since the terrorist attacks in Paris and the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California in late 2015. 38 of the attacks were regarded as anti-Islamic.
Mosques, the place where followers of Islam worship, have consistently been the target of these crimes. In the hours following the attack in Nice, France that killed at least 84 people, a Rhode Island mosque was the target of vandalism. "Muhammad, prophet of butchers," was spray painted onto the building and the windows were smashed. There have been numerous of reports across the country, similar to this one.
Sikhs have also been the targets of anti-Muslim attacks, although Sikhism is a separate and distinct religion from Islam. An attack on a Sikh temple in California, referenced Islam and the Islamic State.
Backlash faced by Muslims in US:
Muslim Americans have been at the center of this year's presidential election. Donald Trump's claim that he witnessed "thousands" of people "cheering" in New Jersey following the September 11, 2001, attacks sparked controversy. Even more controversy followed with the Republican nominee calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.
Donald Trump's democratic rival, Hillary Clinton has condemned his proposed Muslim ban, writing to Muslim Americans: "What you're hearing from Trump and other Republicans is absolutely, unequivocally wrong. It's inconsistent with our values as a nation—a nation which you are helping to build. This is your country, too. I'm proud to be your fellow American. And many, many other Americans feel the same way."
A report published by Georgetown University's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding highlights the upswing of Islamophobia since the start of the 2016 U.S. presidential election cycle. According to the report, in the period between March 2015 and March 2016, there have been 180 reported incidents of anti-Muslim violence. These include 12 murders, 34 physical assaults, 56 acts of vandalisms, nine arsons, and eight shootings and bombings.
According to their data: "Anti-Muslim violence remained significantly higher in 2015 than pre- 9/11 levels with American Muslims approximately 6 to 9 times more likely to suffer such attacks. The number of incidents in 2015 is also higher than the total number of anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in 2014: 154."
Rebuilding the World Trade Center: 15 years after 9/11:
BY: ALEXIS JACKSON
