Source: The Hartford Courant

On November 10, 2001, The Hartford Courant reported on "dozens of Muslim physicians in Greater Hartford -- and thousands across the country -- who are the face of Islam to many non-Muslims. For many Americans, Muslims in the healing professions may be the only Muslims they know...Dr. Shahid Athar of Indianapolis, president of the Islamic Medical Association of North America, said there are about 20,000 Muslim physicians in the United States...In the first few days after the attacks, Athar said, he got a couple of harassing phone calls...But what followed, said Athar, was a torrent of support in the form of letters, phone calls and visits from patients, colleagues and neighbors."