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Links About Stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims
If you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software, you can view the 2001 Muslim Civil Rights Report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. This document is very large and will take awhile to load fully. This report details incidents of bias or discrimination against Muslims in America.
Here are some other links that discuss this problem:
Bias faced by ordinary Muslims
Arabs Say Airport Checks Single Them Out
Bay Area Muslims Struggle Against Bias
Canadian Muslims Seek Better Image
It's Not Easy Being an Arab-American
Muslims Still Face U.S. Stereotyping
Secret Evidence Prevents Basic Fairness
United States: Islam Growing, But Subject to Misperceptions
On prejudice against Muslims
Why the Rules of Racism are Different for Arabs
Responses by Muslims to Islamophobia
Media Defamation and Muslims' Indifference
When "Islamic Weirdness" Runs Amok
Stereotyping in the Media
100 Years of Anti-Arab and Anti-Muslim Stereotyping
Arab Bashing in Politics and Society
Are You a Terrorist, Or Do You Just Play One on TV?
Has Hollywood Gone Soft on Muslims? Not Yet
Hollywood Now Plays Cowboys and Arabs
How Western Society Views Islam Today
Jack Shaheen Takes Aim at Arab Stereotypes in Media
Media Defamation Fosters Muslim- and Arab-American Exclusion
Media and Image-Building: Stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims
Negative Stereotyping Distorts Arabs' Image
Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Villifies a People
Stereotyping and Double Standards in 'Hollywood Islam'
The Media and Its Representation of Islam and Muslim Women
The Media's Islamic Blind Spot
The Other Anti-Semitism: The Image of Islam in American Pop Culture
The Utility of Islamic Imagery in the West: An American Case Study
Turks on NBC's 'The West Wing': Head-Chopping Lunatics
About specific movies that stereotype Arabs or Muslims:
Note: Also see my page on anti-hijab discrimination.
A Month of Backlash: September 11, 2001 to October 11, 2001
Sadly, in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, some people struck out blindly against any and all Arabs and Muslims that they met. For over a month, not a day went by that I didn't find at least one story in the news about this. Here is a selection of news reports:
Amnesty International Warns of Human Rights Abuses During War on Terrorism
Disabled Muslim Man Faces Airlines Harassment
Extra Police in UK to Protect Muslims
For 'Other' Americans, Hate Crimes are a New Kind of Terrorism
Hate Crime Reports Reach Record Level
Identity Mistaken, He Stays Unshaken
In Europe, Xenophobia Follows U.S. Terror
Investigation Detainees Report Abuse in Jails
Muslims: A Community Under Siege
Poll Finds Many Americans Want Security Restrictions on Arab-Americans
U.S. Courts Delay Trials of Muslims Fearing Biased Jurors
To view my full collection of backlash reports, see Archive of Backlash Stories.
Profile of a Community: Seattle, Washington
To get a feeling for how the backlash affected a single community, and how that community responded, here is a selection of the most notable reports from the Seattle area:
47 Arab Students Withdraw from Washington State University (September 20, 2001)
An Afghan Family in Kent (November 30, 2001)
Area Muslims Hear, See Hateful Words (September 13, 2001)
Area Muslims Say It's Time to Join Together, Speak Out (November 5, 2001)
Community Answers Targeting of Mosque (September 15, 2001)
Hundreds Assist Muslims with Watchful Eyes (October 13, 2001)
Innocent Muslim Doctor Tells of Arrest, Two-Week Ordeal (October 1, 2001)
Local Arabs' Bonds Transcend Culture, Politics (November 18, 2001)
Mideast Names, Looks Grounding Passengers: People refuse to fly with them (September 26, 2001)
Muslim Families Feel Reprecussions From Attacks (September 22, 2001)
Muslim Neighbors Reach Out for Ramadan (November 11, 2001)
Muslim and American, by Jafar Siddiqui (September 14, 2001)
Neighbor Puts out Arson Fire at Local Mosque (November 3, 2001)
Racial Profiling Means Arab-Americans are Newly Uncomfortable Faces in the Crowd (November 2, 2001)
Ramadan: A Time of Prayer - and Worry (November 15, 2001)
Sikh Man Beaten at His Seatac Motel After Being Mistaken for a Muslim (October 20, 2001)
University of Washington Brings Islam Home to Seattle with Lecture Series (October 6, 2001)
Violence Against Muslims Continues (September 18, 2001)
To view my full collection of Seattle reports, see Archive of Seattle News Reports.
Personal Reports by Muslims and Arab-Americans
Here are some appeals by Muslims and Arab-Americans that appeared in the news. These are provided as a supplement:
All the Reasons I am Angry at the Terrorists
Americans Are Not the Only Victims
An Afghani-American's Take on the Mess We're In
Arab-Americans and Muslims are Defended
Arab-Americans and Muslims are Victims Too
From the Ashes, Islam Emerges in a New Light
How the Arab Civilization Has Changed Your Life
If You Hate Me, Disagree With My Ideas, Not My Headscarf
It's Not Easy Being an Arab-American
Muslims in America: Guilty until Proven Innocent
Racial Profiling: Much More Than an Imposition
Terrorism's Tragic Fallout Leaves Canadian Muslims Feeling Guilty-by-Association
The Double-Bind of Americans of Middle Eastern Heritage
The New York Catastrophe: A Personal Experience
This Fireball of Fear and Loathing
See also: Muslim Converts Try to Dispel Myths
Responses to the Backlash
American and Other Western Leaders
One of the most heartening signs for me was how many of our political leaders spoke out against the backlash, and how strongly they did so. I was especially impressed with President Bush. I have no doubt that his words, and those of others cited here, prevented much worse from happening. Unfortunately, President Bush did not follow this up once the immediate crisis had ended, but let's give credit where credit is due. Here is a selection of reports:
Attorney General Ashcroft Meets with Muslim, Arab Leaders
British Minister Offers Support to Muslims
Bush Calls for End to Violence Against U.S. Muslims
Bush Calls for Religious Tolerance
Bush Condemns Revenge Attacks in U.S.
Bush Meets With Muslim Leaders in D.C. Mosque
Bush Says Terrorists Should Be Identified by Their Country, Not Islam
Bush Warns Against Arab-American Backlash
Bush to Target Anti-Muslim Acts
Bush, Ashcroft Condemn Anti-Muslim Hysteria
Green Party of the U.S. Denounces the Backlash
Michigan Governor John Engler Meets Arab-Americans
New Jersey Political Candidates Decry Backlash
Rep. Dennis Kucinich Statement On Tolerance and Unity
Representative David Bonior of Michigan Denounces 'Hateful Prejudice' Against Muslims and Arabs
Representative Jim Moran of Virginia Condemns Backlash Against Muslims and Arabs (PDF)
Representative Mike Pence of Indiana Condemns Backlash Against Muslims and Arabs (PDF)
Scottish Political Leader Calls for Tolerance for Muslims
Scottish Political Leader Warns Against Backlash
Senate and Congress Condemn Discrimination Against Muslims and Arabs
Text of Bush's Speech at Islamic Center
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair Supports Muslims
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to Meet Muslim Leaders
Washington Governor Gary Locke Reassures Muslims
Journalists
In addition to the political leaders cited above, many journalists made use of the media to spread a message of tolerance, and this is also much appreciated. Here are some articles:
'Diaperhead' Insult from Congressman Doesn't Help U.S.
'Islamo-Fascism' - The New Bogeyman
Affronts to Arabs Show Our Ignorance
Another Kind of War: Bush takes a new approach with support of Muslims
Arab-Americans Are a Precious and Valuable Resource in These Times
Attacks on Muslims are Intolerable
Don't Form a Lynch Mob to Fight Terrorism
Ethnic Profiling Won't Preserve Our Way Of Life
Every Arab-American isn't a suspect
Far-Flung Net Ensnares Innocent With the Guilty
Have a Hunt, Not a Witchhunt, for Terrorists
Islam Finds Converts in Hawaii Since Sept 11
Islamophobia Undermines President Bush's War Effort
Look Who's in Favor of Racial Profiling Now
Media Distorts Meaning of Islamic Faith
On Racial Profiling: When Special Scrutiny Clashes with Our Sense of Civility
Profiling for Terrorists Not the Answer
Racial Profiling: Judging Others by Their Covers
Racism and Hate Hide Behind Flag Waving
Racism in Reporting, Jingoism as Foreign Policy
Rattling the Sabers of Bigotry
Safeguarding Civil Liberties for Muslims
Support Americans of All Faiths
Terrorists Tempt Us To Fear, Stereotype Each Other
The Fear and Pain of Muslim Friends
The True, Peaceful Face of Islam
We Must Not Single out Arab-Americans
Why Middle Eastern Immigrants are Worried
You Don't Defend Freedom by Casting it Aside
Ordinary Americans
Perhaps the most moving of all was support from ordinary Americans, out of the kindness of their hearts. This is truly the best of America.
Ads battle backlash Arab Americans face
Broad Coalition Urges Respect for Civil Liberties Despite War Footing
Catholic Organization the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center Shows Support for Muslims (PDF)
Catholic, Muslim Girls Find a Lot to Share
Doctor Grows Beard to Show Support for Muslims
Expressions of Support Surprising to Muslims
For Muslims, Benevolence is Prevailing over Backlash
Hate Crimes Called Terrorism: Religious leaders urge tolerance
Headteacher Reassures Muslim Pupils
Muslims Receive Support from Americans Denouncing Racist Attacks
Muslims Witness Support Amid Anger
Nation Quietly Fights Intolerance
New York Teachers Receive Guide to Combat Bigotry
Police Pledge to Protect Muslim Community
Show of Solidarity with Fort Worth's Muslims
Stand Beside Her: Volunteers Help Protect Muslim Women
Also:
Racial Profiling and Traveling Employees - Tips for Arab Americans and Those Who Accompany Them (article continues onto additional pages; follow links at bottom)
What Employers Need to Do in This Time of National Outrage
See My Condemnation of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks, Some Quranic Verses on Jihad, What Islam Really Says about Killing the Innocent, and Muslims Condemn Terrorism to learn why Islam is not to blame.
See Western Journalists on the Terrorist Attacks for some interesting perspectives on possible causes of, and solutions to, terrorism.
