08 October 2001

Muslim Americans Support Anti-Terrorism Campaign

By Vicki Silverman
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- America's leading Muslim-American organizations have expressed their support for President Bush's strategic campaign to combat terrorism following the attacks of U.S. and British forces on terrorist bases in Afghanistan.

In an October 8 press release, the American Muslim Council (AMC) said it "supports our government's action against world terrorism and reaffirms its condemnation of terrorist attacks of September 11 against our country."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement October 8, "We support the president's strategic campaign to combat terrorism and to protect American citizens from attack. This support will remain firm whether or not we agree with particular tactics used to carry out that campaign. American Muslims have stated clearly that the horrific attacks of September 11 warrant an appropriate response aimed at the perpetrators."

Both organizations commended U.S. efforts, pledged by President Bush, to protect the lives of innocent Afghani civilians and assist those suffering from war and famine. The organizations echoed Bush's statements that this is a war against terrorism, not Islam.

"This is not a conventional war between armies in uniform. It is a

long-term struggle for hearts and minds that will only be won by tackling the root causes of terrorism. Now more than ever, it is imperative that our nation's foreign policy promote justice and human rights in all areas of the world, including the Middle East. American Muslims stand ready to help our nation in the cause of justice and to serve as a bridge of understanding to the Islamic world," the CAIR statement said.

CAIR's Director of Communications Ibrahim Hooper discussed the concerns U.S. military action raises in the hearts of many Muslim and Arab Americans.

"All Americans, including Muslim Americans, want to be protected against terrorism. We fly. We work. As Muslims, we're in every neighborhood. There is no question we condemn terrorism. Our concerns, as reflected on our statement, are focused on how to combat terrorism, what will be effective," he said. "We are also, as Muslims, concerned about actions which could result in the death of innocent people."

Hooper noted there has been no increase in anti-Muslim incidents over the past weekend. On the contrary, he pointed to the increase in U.S. media and public outreach to learn more about the fundamental tenants, history and practices of Islam.

In response to viewer demand, a significant number of television networks have begun to rebroadcast an award-winning documentary "Islam: Empire of Faith" (which first aired in May 2001). National daytime television superstar Oprah Winfrey reached out to America's mainstream audience by hosting "Islam 101" on October 5. This show featured discussions with not only an Islamic scholar, Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Pakistan's ambassador to the United States but also a cross-section of Muslim Americans who shared their views of the faith they practice in the United States. (see http://www.oprah.com/)

"There is a bright note in real sadness. American Muslims are being recognized as an important part of the American family," Robert Gardner, producer and director of "Islam: Empire of Faith," said in an interview with the Washington File. "Negative stereotypes that were in place before are shown to be destructive. We're aware of Muslims as part of our national fabric -- Muslim neighbors, doctors, businessmen and students in our public schools -- part of what makes America what it is," he said.

The Washington Post writer Caryle Murphy's October 6 article "For Muslims, Benevolence Is Prevailing Over Backlash" provides a poignant snapshot of this national awakening.

"By near identical margins of 6 to 1, U.S. opinion has a favorable attitude toward Arab Americans and American Muslims," said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute (AAI).

The AAI estimates the number of Muslim Americans at 6.7 million, 40 percent of whom are African Americans. AAI says 30 percent of Muslim Americans trace at least part of their family back to the Arab world and the other 30 percent to South Asia, including Iran.

Neither complexity nor crisis appears to dim President Bush's message, delivered to the American people September 20, that the United States respects Islam, "Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them."