Interfaith

On the Web: Tracking Backlash

September 13, 2001

Source: MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.com/news/628515_asp.htm

On September 13, 2001, MSNBC continued their coverage of backlash against Muslims, Arab-Americans, and Sikhs. The web site offers an overview of some of the incidents, as well as local coverage of reports of an attack on Sikh Gurdwara in Sacramento and an attempted firebombing of the Islamic Society of Denton, Texas.

In the U.S.: Muslims, Sikhs, Arabs, South Asians Face Threats, Violence - Immediate Backlash

September 13, 2001

Source: Salon.com News

http://salon.com/news/feature/2001/09/13/backlash/index.html

On September 13, 2001, Salon.com News featured the article "Anti-Arab passions sweep the U.S." This article stated, "Within hours of the destruction of the World Trade Center, the Net was flooded with hysterical anti-Arab sentiment. It did not take much longer for the attacks on the streets to begin. On Wednesday alone, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee confirmed 30...

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Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 13, 2001

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On September 13, 2001, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on an interfaith service that gathered Milwaukee's diverse religious communities, "Drawn by a common quest for healing, justice and peace..." Speakers included "mainline Christians, Jews, Muslims, a Sikh, a Buddhist, a Baha'i, a Hindu and a Quaker." The article quoted religious leaders in their prayers of peace and unity, including Rev. Tonen O'Connor of the Milwaukee Zen Center. "'The Buddha perceived, not that we could be one, but that we are one. In our essence...

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Religious Communities and Advocacy Organizations Issue Statements Regarding Backlash, Scapegoating

September 13, 2001

Source: American Jewish Committee

http://www.ajc.org/press/default.htm?show.asp?ID=255

On September 13, 2001, The American Jewish Committee issued the following statement: "The catastrophic terror inflicted on American soil must not become an occasion for stereotyping or scapegoating. Jewish history makes us painfully aware that, too often, times of crisis provide opportunities for expressions of bigotry. An entire people or religion should never be implicated because of the...

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U.S. Sikhs Ask for Unity, Work for Increased Understanding

September 13, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On September 13, 2001, The Boston Globe reported on the arrest, and subsequent release, of a Sikh man yesterday. Religion reporter Michael Paulson wrote, "The man on the Amtrak train from Boston had a green turban on his head, a long beard on his chin, and a blade strapped to his chest, and apparently, that was enough evidence for federal and local authorities." (The blade was a kirpan, a ceremonial sword worn by Sikhs.) The article noted that as the man was arrested, "teenagers shouted, 'Let's kill him,' and a woman yelled, 'Burn...

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Citizens Act Locally to Support Muslim Neighbors

September 13, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On September 13, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported that "Kansas Citians of many races and religions are reaching out to area Muslims, offering support in response to backlashes that began after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon." Following a series of threats reported by local media, the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City has since received phone calls from people who wish to apologize for the intolerance of others and to offer their support. Many of these callers were from area churches. The article...

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Americans Turn to Religion

September 12, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

On September 12, 2001, USA Today reported "People of every faith, and none, brought their pain, fear and helpless sadness to churches, synagogues and mosques. And clergy reached out with comfort -- and cautions." The article explained that, although the Muslim community had joined other religious groups in condemning the attack and helping the victims, "They also warned their own believers to keep a low profile. In the first few days after the attack...Muslims reported more than 200 incidents of harassment, threats and actual violence....

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U.S. Sikhs Ask for Unity, Work for Increased Understanding

September 12, 2001

Source: Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force Press Release

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/latest_news.htm

On September 12, 2001, a press release from the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) stated, "the Sikh American community would like to join their fellow Americans in condemning the horrific acts that took place on the morning of September 11, 2001. We are saddened by the tremedous loss of life...and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims."...

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Muslim Leaders, Scholars, and Community Members Clarify that Terrorism is Contrary to Islam

September 12, 2001

Source: Agence France Presse

On September 12, 2001, Agence France Presse reported that "The top authority for the world's Sunni Muslims, the imam of Al Azhar, condemned Wednesday the wave of deadly terrorist attacks in the United States as contrary to the Islamic religion." (Al Azhar is a religious and educational institution that is more than 1,000 years old; based in Egypt, it issues opinions on matters of concern to Sunni Muslims around the world.) Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi's statement noted, "'Al Azhar is opposed to terrorism, whatever its source...

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Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 12, 2001

Source: Newsday

On September 12, 2001, Newsday reported on religious responses to the terrorist attacks in New York City. "From Manhattan to Montauk, members of the clergy reached out to offer spiritual solace and words of comfort as the area searched for answers to yesterday's attacks. The area's faithful filed into churches, mosques and synagogues, murmuring prayers of hope for missing loved ones and those who are presumed dead." During the emergency, religious communities offered shelter and food. In the aftermath, they are planning blood drives and...

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Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 12, 2001

Source: The Interfaith Alliance Press Release

On September 12, 2001, the Interfaith Alliance issued a statement which read, in part: "While these cowardly terrorists have stolen the lives of many innocent people, we must not allow them to rip apart our souls, alter our historic commitment to freedom and break our spirits. Even though the great religious traditions of in our nation differ significantly, they do share a set of core values. Let us face into our fears, holding fast to those values. Such a posture will prevent the kind of dangerous stereotyping...

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Local Communities Face Hate Crimes

September 12, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On September 12, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported on harassment in the Bay Area in the article, "Tolerance put to test in Bay Area; Muslims, mosques, Arabs find themselves targets of threats." Religion reporter Don Lattin wrote, "Yesterday's horrific terrorist attacks in New York and the nation's capital were not just a test of national security, but a test of national tolerance. It was a test of interfaith understanding, a test of whether Americans understand that the average American Muslim does not endorse...

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In the U.S.: Muslims, Sikhs, Arabs, South Asians Face Threats, Violence - Immediate Backlash

September 12, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On September 12, 2001, The New York Times reported on the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on America. "In the face of suspicion and discrimination, Muslims struggled to assert their identities as loyal American citizens and to say that their religion does not approve of violence against innocents. Jews, meanwhile, could not help linking the victimization of Americans to that of Jews in Israel." The article continued, "...Muslim and Arab leaders in the New York area emphasized that they were reacting to the emergency first and...

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U.S. Sikhs Ask for Unity, Work for Increased Understanding

September 12, 2001

Source: New England Sikh Study Circle Press Release

On September 12, 2001, the New England Sikh Study Circle issued a press release regarding the attacks on the U.S. "The Sikh American Community of Boston would like to express our deep pain and shock about the horrific attack on the people and property of the United States." The press release continues, "Sikhs, with their turbans and beards, might be mistaken for associates of certain well-known terrorist leaders...In the past 36 hours since the attack on America began, there have been confirmed reports of Sikhs...

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