Muslims Fear Backlash from Sniper Attacks

October 26, 2002

Source: The Columbian

On October 26, 2002 The Columbian reported that "local Muslims have not experienced any backlash as a result of the arrest of a Muslim in the Washington, D.C., sniper shootings, according to Shaaban Naim, president of the Islamic Society of Southwest Washington. John Berger of the Greater Vancouver Interfaith Association said he was a little worried. 'I'm concerned that there might be a backlash,' he said. 'But I have a bit of faith in this community. I have an implicit faith that we will weather this one too.' There were no verbal attacks around this year's Sept. 11 anniversary nor were there any following the arrest of six terrorism suspects in Portland, Naim said."