Dealing With Islamophobia

ACUTE ISLAMOPHOBIA

The “justification” of Iraq war 2003 was start of organized Islamophobia.  2004, 2008 and 2012 presidential elections saw cultivated spikes. The rise of Daesh (ISIS) started another spike – and Paris and San Bernardino killings bring it to a level not seen before. 
 
There is now a media & legal industry that cultivates Islamophobia.  The war lobby, extreme religious groups, and special interests are part of this industry.  Presidential candidates have raised the noise in order to discredit Obama & hence Clinton – the “greatest threat” to national security. USA is fighting symptoms of terrorism, but not yet the sources.  Political interests have long used terrorism as a weapon, recently in Asia.

Shootingtracker.com lists all the mass shootings (4 or more victims) in USA. There are 353 mass shootings to-date in 2015.  It is treated with extreme fear when conducted by “Muslims” – perceived as “others” sympathetic to “terrorists”. The Paris attacks and threats to USA by Daesh is most worrisome – as street anarchy can become random.  CAIR has tracked recent mosque hate incidents across USA.  
Despite any potential “conspiracies” or “conflicts of interest”, there are some fundamental issues that only Muslim can address. 

HISTORY OF PHOBIA IN AMERICA
  • Islamophobia is the latest in a long series of paranoia in the USA.  The original settlers were always insecure in a hostile land, and treated everyone as a potential enemy – till defeated or proven otherwise.  Their descendants still exhibit this instinct.
  • The original Native Americans were essentially wiped out of existence from their lands by settlers, and discrimination/racism continues to this day as they live in reservations, with very few integrated in society.  The Civil Rights Act has given them some respect.  The “settler mentality” still pervades the rural and working class population of America.
  • The Emancipation of Slaves in America was signed in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, it took over a century with Jim Crow Laws and brutal abusive treatment, eventually due to the Civil Rights Movement, led to Lyndon Johnson signing the final Civil Rights Act in 1968.  Black Americans are still struggling for equal treatment under the laws.  Talk of shipping Black-Americans back to Africa faded only in the 1970s.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prevented any Chinese from coming into the United States legally for over half a century, using obscene, repugnant racial stereotypes. They were also held responsible for the sex trade.
  • The “walk in” immigration was stopped only in 1924, part of the “Red Scare” after the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia.
  • It was believed throughout much of US history that any Catholic would secretly subvert the US to the Papacy at the Vatican. Only two Catholics have been elected to the President’s office in US history: John Kennedy and Joe Biden.  Irish and Italian Americans suffered stereotyping for nearly a century.  All successful Italian-Americans were stereotyped as mobsters till the 1980s.
  • During the second Woodrow Wilson administration 1913-1921, the first World War period, government sponsored anti-German measures were extremely common, ‘encouraged’ violence too, in spite of virtually all German-Americans being loyal to the USA despite (along with Irish-Americans) being alienated from the largely Anglo-Saxon pro-war sections of society. The paranoia seriously damaged German-American culture and the then common German language in the US [which had an even chance of becoming the national language]. 
  • In 1942, FDR interned hundreds of thousands of citizens based on nothing but their Japanese descent after Pearl Harbor attack. In spite of this, many young Japanese men fought bravely in Italy in segregated regiments-one of them was Senator Daniel Inouye, awarded the Medal of Honor. This was bigoted to the point where FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover objected.  Some right wing congressmen are talking now about Muslim camps.
  • Most Jews were for all intents and purposes excluded from higher institutions of learning throughout the first part of the 20th Century. They were often associated with Communist movements during the Red Scare. Karl Marx had Jewish parents, became an atheist later. Jewish refugee ships were returned by the USA in the 1930-40s. Well into the 1970s, anti-Semitism was casual among older generations of Americans, and Jews were de facto kept at arms-length in top governmental circles.
  • Muslims need to consider the long struggle (internal and external) to the point of becoming “normalized” Americans.
 
THE NEW REALITY OF IMMIGRANT MUSLIMS IN THE USA
  • Vulnerability of Immigrant and Natural born Muslims to Foreign militant influences
  • Black Americans have earned their status after centuries of struggles - not profiled as vulnerable to foreign influences 
  • Foreign cultures are always first targets in public spaces - physical grooming/dress
  • Do we wish to go through the experiences of previous marginalized groups?
  • To be perceived "PEACEFUL" - need to enhance commonalities and good in others
  • Internalize being Americans - where we live - or we will become outsiders
  • The intolerant and violent strains in some political movements are damaging everyone - they can cause an erasure of historic Muslim contributions to humanity. The great contributions we are proud of were achieved intellectually 
  • Agitators need to focus on self-purging and have exemplary moral basis to criticize others. Do they hate too easily? Is this a Value?
  • Participate in mainstream challenges and causes - get outside the box - do we spend too much time and energy in building boxes/comfort zones?
  • Connect frequently with neighbors and local communities - become visible and achieve respect
  • Get involved in the political representation process. Develop an insider's perspective. We can affect change in perceptions through example, intellect and pursuation
  • American Muslims are making significant contribution in society - this needs to be part of every conversation
 
COUNTER-MESSAGING
  • Immunizing kids from intolerant thoughts, prejudices, criticism of other faiths, denunciation of other people
  • The education process of our kids needs to be given futuristic and humanities content - are we slaved of ancient habits and cultures
  • Do we want to be society leaders? Or, risk living like primitive cultures in isolated towns?
  • Peaceful methods and higher learning can accomplish far more than hateful or violent methods. [NOTE: Germany could not win Europe with two world wars - their economic and social strength, grown using peaceful means, have led them to become leaders of Europe. Similarly Japan was atom bombed into submission, much worse than colonialism, but they recovered peacefully to top levels within 40 years. Muslims have been stagnant for 400 years
  • Even mighty empires are learning that warfare does not bring lasting success. Why are some people a few hundred years behind times, and fighting the old lost battles with obsolete tools?
  • Exhibiting distrust of society, rejection of harmless practices - they could be red flags
  • Kids who pick up resentment, anger and hostility from their home and community environments, can become vulnerable to manipulation
 
MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY

REPORT ISLAMOPHOBIC OCCURENCES:   http://mccgp.ennectsurvey.com/incidencereportingsystem

ALL ISLAMOPHOBIC OCCURENCES SHOULD BE REPORTED – SILENCE WILL NOT HELP US.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY: Muslims must do their part to ensure the safety and security of our nation. If anyone notes suspicious persons or activities within their community, they should report it immediately to the local Field Office of the FBI. (see: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm).

HOW TO RESPOND TO HOSTILE QUESTIONING: “Are you a Muslim and what do you think about all the killings”. How to de-escalate a contentious situation?

PRACTICE PREVENTION: Travel in groups whenever practical, avoid deserted streets especially late nights.

Use technology for rapid reporting:  Phones have bSAFE applications, as well as 911 calling apps.  Use them on your phones.  Use mock phone conversations while moving thru uncertain area.

Respond very clearly but without arrogance: Such as “I am a law abiding civilized citizen, I find these crimes terrible, I am with my fellow Americans in demanding that these criminals must be stopped. My faith rejects such violence. “

Stay tuned for a Workshop in Pittsburgh on how to communicate, body language, and calming techniques, when confronted.
 
DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES: Community leaders should immediately coordinate meetings between representatives of the Muslim community and Local State and National law enforcement agencies. These meetings should focus on ways in which the community can help national security and on how authorities can protect American-Muslims from harassment and discrimination.

MEET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Delegations of Muslim representatives should schedule meetings with local, state and national elected representatives or their key staff to discuss community concerns. To find out who represents your area on the local and national level, go to: http://www.cair.com

BUILD COALITIONS WITH INTERFAITH AND MINORITY GROUPS: Similar meetings should be coordinated with representatives of local interfaith and minority groups. These meetings should focus on building lines of communication and support, and hearing from these groups how they deal with discrimination and bigotry.

MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT SAFETY: Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local school administrators to discuss safety plans for students and to sensitize the administrators to harassment of Muslim students.

BUILDING AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST: Community leaders should develop emergency e-mail and phone contact lists to be used in case of an incident that threatens the community’s safety. Local imams, Islamic center board members, and Muslim activists should be on the lists. A second list should be developed containing contact information for all local law enforcement agencies.

HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING TO INFORM OTHERS OF SAFETY GUIDELINES: Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to discuss the information outlined in this kit. The meeting should take place at a local mosque or Islamic center and should be advertised using the emergency contact list.

ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK: Establish a network of community members who can offer emotional and material support to those who may be the victims of hate crimes or discrimination. Victims should not be left alone to deal with the negative impact of such incidents.

REACTING TO INCIDENTS OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE: If you believe you have been the victim of an anti-Muslim hate crime or discrimination, you should:
  1. Report the incident to your local police station and FBI office IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be investigated as a hate crime.
  2. Ask witnesses to give you their name and contact information.
  3. Inform CAIR-Pittsburgh even if you believe it is a ‘small’ incident.
  4. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.
  5. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not when convenient.
  6. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.
  7. Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local mosque or organization.
  8. Stay aware of the situation as things progress.
  9. Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make an announcement to the same people and organizations originally contacted.
 
MOSQUE SECURITY GUIDELINES

Areas of Vulnerability
  • Mosques located in isolated areas.
  • Mosques left unattended for extended periods of time.
  • Mosques with unsecured doors and/or windows.
  • Absence of a burglar alarm system.
  • Heavy exterior vegetation (shrubs, etc.) in which criminals may hide.
  • Absence of exterior lighting.

Take the following safety measures
  • Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque. Invite them repeatedly to visit Center.
  • Try to have people attend the mosque as much as possible. Activity deters perpetrators.
  • Meet with the community relations officer of police Department to tour Center and make suggestions on mosque security.
  • Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of Center. Special attention to times of darkness and during prayers.
  • Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
  • Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas during prayer times.
  • Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch them.
  • Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
  • Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
  • Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid doors.
  • Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents. (Note – window bars should not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
  • Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
  • Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
  • Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.
  • Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and records.
  • Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris.
  • Consider installing security cameras.