By Magdi Khalil - political analyst, researcher, author and
Executive Editor of the Egyptian weekly Watani International.
The recent disturbing articles and news in the Arabic media may very well lead people to
believe that the Muslims living in the United States are being subjected to collective
persecution or even eradication -a false accusation easily refuted by the fact that
millions of Muslims continue to apply for emigration to, and temporary residence in, the
United States for study and business purposes. Polls conducted by credible organizations
show that even now, and in spite of the unprecedented hostility towards the United States
and the West, millions of Muslims around the world still aspire to live in the United
States or Europe.
I would like to shed light on the situation of Muslims living in the United States, and to
call the readers’ attention to a number of significant facts:
1. Muslims are able to practice their religious rituals and celebrations freely, as well
as openly maintaining and asserting their cultural traditions.
2. They are granted total religious freedom including the freedom to proselytize anywhere,
even within the American prison system; a CNN report indicated that the ratio of prisoners
who convert to Islam each year is 1:6.
3. Muslims have the right to establish Islamic schools, institutes and universities
anywhere in the United States with no constrictions; the American government has even
provided support to some of these institutions.
4. Muslims have the right to establish their own media, with no restrictions or particular
conditions, whether they will operate in their own languages or in the English language.
They also have total access to Arab and Islamic media in the form of newspapers, magazines
and satellite channels, and though most of those are openly hostile to the United States,
none of them have been banned by the US.
5. There are numerous registered Islamic institutions and associations that are concerned
with the defense of Muslims’ rights, freely operating under the American law. No
restrictions are imposed on these associations as long as they are not associated with
international terrorist organizations.
6. Muslims in America have the full right to wear the Islamic outfit, and to worship
during working hours in most governmental agencies, schools and institutes.
7. At the inauguration of the American Congress cycle, verses from the Holy
“Quran” and Islamic prayers are recited among other prayers, underlining the
fact that Islam is part of the mainstream religious landscape of the U.S.
8. Muslims have the right to build mosques anywhere in the US with no restrictions other
than the ones that apply to buildings in general and to other houses of worship.
9. Muslim feasts are considered official holidays in schools where there is a significant
Muslim presence, as well as for Muslim employees.
10. Following the events of September 11, 2001, a strong warning was issued against
targeting the Muslims or subjecting them to abusive or vengeful measures, clearly stating
that offenders would be subjected to serious penalties.
11. Complaints of abuse or discrimination are examined and handled with honesty and
earnestness.
12. The Bush Administration has offered its apology to Muslims, and openly rejected the
insulting approach used by a few individuals in the media.
13. Members of the American administration speak respectfully about the Islamic religion
in all occasions, making a clear distinction between Islam and terrorism.
14. President Bush organized an “Iftar celebration” at the White House that was
attended by several members from the American administration, prominent members of the
Arab and Islamic community and guests from the Islamic World. Colin Powell, the then
Secretary of State, held a similar celebration in the State Department.
15. President George Bush visited several Islamic institutes in the wake of the events of
September 11, in support of the American Muslims. During these visits he explicitly warned
against any violation of Muslims’ rights.
16. The United States issued an Islamic postage stamp to celebrate the Islamic feasts. The
stamp bearing the words “Blessed Feast” was reissued this year on the occasion
of the Holy month of “Ramadan.”
17. The American president acknowledges the Islamic feasts and makes sure to pass on his
good wishes to American Muslims and Muslims around the world.
18. The recent statistics of the Diversity Immigrant Visa program indicate that the number
of Visas allotted to Islamic countries has not decreased. Muslims who are currently
residing in the US and who have completed the legal requirements were granted American
citizenship; there was no recorded violation of the Muslims’ rights in that respect.
19. Income statistics indicate that the Per Capita personal income of the Muslims in the
US exceeds that of the Americans themselves.
20. Muslims who suffer from discriminatory practices have the right to legally sue the
organization or party that violated their legal rights; there are several American
institutions which are dedicated to helping Muslims obtain their legal rights.
Hopefully these facts can help to clarify the truth about the Muslims’ situation in
the U.S.
Muslims in the United States: Truths and Calumnies By Magdi Khalil
Magdi Khalil is a political analyst, researcher, author and Executive Editor of the
Egyptian weekly Watani International. He is also a columnist for Asharq Al-Awsat
newspaper, London, a free-lance writer for several Arabic language newspapers, and a
frequent contributor to Middle East broadcast news TV. Mr. Khalil has also published three
books and written numerous research papers on citizenship rights, civil society, and the
situation of minorities in the Middle East. |
