Islamophobia

Islamophobia, or the fear and hatred of all things relating to Islam and Muslims, is becoming mainstream and deadly. Whether it's radio talk show hosts,  columnists or extremists who promise to kill Muslim women, there is a great danger to Muslims.

Muslim communities across the US are expecting a backlash once the US-led war on Iraq starts. With the wounds of 911 fresh in their minds, many Muslims are not taking chances. They are preparing for all kinds of harassment and violence.

Isn't it sad that extremists on both sides dominate the news and it is innocent Muslims who have problems traveling because of their skin color, faith and country of origin? Americans are fearful of traveling to most parts of the world. Muslims are afraid of coming back to their own homes.

Muslims in America today remain the last to be hired and the first to be fired. We need to remember them in our prayers. We need to organize ourselves so that America moves forward instead of moving backwards in the civil rights of those subject to dehumanization in our society.

America's long festering animus toward Arabs and Islam has finally arrived. From black tie affairs to your local barbecue, you can see it in the U..S.A. You can hear it, too, whispering in the White House and booming from Capitol Hill.

Quran asks believers to "repel evil with something better." That is what Muhammad Ali did, the heavyweight boxing champion, also an African-American Muslim. He refused to serve in Vietnam, becoming a conscientious objector. 

We can all share horror stories of harassment and abuse as a community. While reporting is important, it can't be done in a haphazard fashion. It has to be done carefully. Here are some tips that can help.