(COLUMBUS, OHIO 09/16/2021) – While this year marks two decades since the tragic events of 9/11, the negative effects still impact our Muslim community today. A recent study shows that 69% of American Muslims have personally experienced one or more incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11, and 83% of respondents reported that they know a Muslim who has experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) provided resources and support for the Muslim community around potentially difficult conversations that could perpetuate existing stereotypes.
CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Amina Barhumi spoke with the media about how anti-Muslim discrimination continues to pervade our society today.
“Anti-Muslim discrimination still exists in policies. Secret watch lists still exist. Muslims are oftentimes spoken of from the framework of national security, rather than being ordinary citizens, who just want to live their ordinary American lives.”
CAIR-Ohio Policy Director Tala Dahbour also shared how stereotypes can negatively impact Muslim students’ perceptions of themselves in relation to their peers.
“You can view yourself as part of the community, born and raised with the same people, and yet they see you as ‘other,’ it’s very confusing for children who grew up here in America just like everyone else.”
CAIR-Ohio shared educators’ toolkits, created by the Family and Youth Institute (FYI), with school administrations across the state to spread awareness about how teachers and school administrators can facilitate conscious conversations around 9/11 without propagating negative stereotypes. CAIR-Ohio also shared FYI’s parental guides around navigating the anniversary of 9/11, which discussed supportive strategies to help children cope with potentially negative experiences.
To facilitate productive discussions in the media, CAIR-Ohio connected representatives from the media with Muslim community members. Ohio Muslims were featured in news stories across the state to share their personal narratives around the impact of 9/11.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
You can view news stories featuring Muslim community members here:
- CAIR-Ohio speaks on anti-Muslim discrimination post 9/11 (nbc4i.com)
- CAIR-Ohio shares resources for facilitating better conversations about 9/11 with kids, teens (https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/)
- Muslim American discuss growing up in the wake of 9/11A (ideastream.org)
- Local Muslims mourn 9/11 tragedy, combat lingering Islamophobia (daytondailynews.com)
- Challenges remain for American Muslims 20 years after 9/11 (spectrumnews1.com)
- Ohioans recount being Muslim in a post-9/11 world (spectrumnews1.com)
