Respect Arab-Americans and Muslims, Bush Says

By Vicki Silverman
Washington File Staff Writer

In a nationally televised dialogue September 13 with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Governor George Pataki, President Bush stated U.S. resolve to respect and protect Arab-Americans and Muslims.

"We should not hold one who is a Muslim responsible for an act of terror. We will hold those who are responsible for the terrorist acts accountable and those who harbor them," Bush said.

Speaking with the New York leaders, the president pointed to the thousands of Arab-Americans who live in New York City "who love their flag just as much as the three of us do" and called on all to treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with "the respect they deserve."

There are an estimated seven million Arab-Americans and Muslims in the United States. Even while Muslims nationwide are taking part in the recovery efforts, they are apprehensive about possible anti-Muslim harassment in reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

U.S. media are reporting some incidents and threats against Arab-Americans. Most acts have been limited to anonymous phone calls, peppered with ethnic slurs. Reuters reported gunshots fired overnight September 12, at an Islamic center in the Dallas, Texas area. Local law enforcement officials and Arab-American and other civil liberty associations are working together to verify and respond to all incidents.

Attorney General John Ashcroft, America's highest law enforcement official, told reporters September 13 that "such reports of violence and threats are in direct opposition to the very principles and laws of the United States and will not be tolerated." Assistant Attorney General Ralph F. Boyd issued a statement later that day re-emphasizing the Attorney General's call for tolerance, warning that "any threats of violence or discrimination against Arab or Muslim Americans. . . are not just wrong and un-American, but also are unlawful and will be treated as such."

Law enforcement officials will offer additional protection, if necessary, to ensure public safety at Islamic and other religious institutions Friday, September 14, as worshipers participate in a national day of mourning for the victims of Tuesday's attacks.

Prominent American lawmakers, some of whom, like Michigan Congressman David Bonior, represent only a small number of Arab-American constituents, have joined the President in calling for national unity and tolerance.

"All Americans - Christians, Muslims and Jews - condemn this vicious act of cowardice. This is the time for all Americans to pull together and support each other. These acts seek to divide us - we must not allow that to happen." Congressman Bonior said.

Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy September 13 underscored the Arab-American communities' condemnation of the terrorist acts and called on the American people to "guard against any acts of violence based on bigotry. America's ideals are under attack, too, and we must do all we can to uphold them at this difficult time."

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)