Civic

Americans Seek Understanding of Islam

September 17, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/260/metro/Mosque_opens_its_doors_to_the_public+.shtml

On September 17, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that the Islamic Society of Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts held an open house on Sunday. The community has received threats but has also "been buoyed by dozens of calls, letters, and faxed messages of support from local non-Muslims. He points to the woman who presented...

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In the Aftermath: Reaching Out, Offering Assistance and Correcting Misconceptions

September 17, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On September 17, 2001, The New York Times published the article "'Allah Bless America'" about the march of Muslim Americans and Arab Americans in Brooklyn Heights, New York. "The marchers gathered along Atlantic Avenue, at the heart of the city's most prominent Arab-American neighborhood, before walking to the waterfront promenade, which until last week offered breathtaking views of the trade center. They held signs ('Terrorism is Un-Islamic'), sang songs like 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' and were joined by hundreds of others....

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Editorials Regarding Backlash, Scapegoating: (Sept 17 - October)

September 17, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Gate

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/09/17/DD216924.DTL

On September 17, 2001, The San Francisco Gate published Jon Carroll's editorial "Support Americans of all faiths." He wrote of the angry mail he had already received, expressing hate for Muslims and Arab Americans, and noted, "It is easy to be tolerant and openhearted in the good times. Our commitment to the ideals of the Constitution is tested in...

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In the Aftermath: Reaching Out, Offering Assistance and Correcting Misconceptions

September 16, 2001

Source: Newsday

On September 16, 2001, Newsday reported on the rush of volunteers to assist after the terrorist attacks. "The outpouring showed New York to be the immigrant town it has always been. Noha Abdelghany, 16, and her cousin, Galia Ahmed, 15, came in from the Bronx, and helped the Salvation Army hand out sandwiches, fruit and cookies to the other volunteers. The girls, who are Egyptian Muslims who wore traditional head coverings, said they wanted to dispel anti-Muslim stereotypes held by some Americans. Abdelghany's best friend's father, who is...

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In the Aftermath: Reaching Out, Offering Assistance and Correcting Misconceptions

September 16, 2001

Source: Newsday

On September 16, 2001, Newsday reported on the volunteer efforts of American Sikhs and Muslims: "It was an offer of camaraderie, born of patriotism to the United States and increasing fear of fellow Americans. A stream of at least 20 yellow cabs driven by Arab-American and Sikh taxi drivers lined up along Lexington Avenue near 26th Street yesterday, with the drivers offering free cab rides to the throngs of grief-stricken people who gathered at the Armory to report people missing and feared dead at the World Trade Center. American flags...

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National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

September 15, 2001

Source: The Oregonian

On September 15, 2001, The Oregonian reported on local observance of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance in the article, "Oregonians find comfort, strength in many faiths." The article noted, "In Oregon's largest gathering, about 3,000 people gathered at the Rose Quarter Commons for a multifaith service. Firefighters in uniform stood with Muslim women wearing hijab, Zen students, people waving large flags and throngs of metro-area residents to hear messages of healing."

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

September 14, 2001

Source: www.whitehouse.gov

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010914-2.html

On September 14, 2001, President Bush offered remarks at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance: "We are here in the middle hour of our grief. So many have suffered so great a loss, and today we express our nation's sorrow. We come before God to pray for the missing and the dead, and for those who love them." He continued, "It is said that adversity introduces us to...

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National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

September 14, 2001

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/14/national/14CND-PRAYER.html

On September 14, 2001, The New York Times reported on the prayer service held today: "Weeping skies darkened the National Cathedral's glorious stained-glass windows as President Bush led four former presidents and the nation in prayer Friday for healing -- and the grace to respond to evil without becoming evil." The service opened with a statement from Bishop Jane Holmes...

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Religious Communities and Advocacy Organizations Issue Statements Regarding Backlash, Scapegoating

September 14, 2001

Source: ACLU

http://www.aclu.org/news/2001/n091401a.html

On September 14, 2001, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement "urging tolerance and respect for everyone in America in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and urged police officials across the country to respond quickly to reports of violence or threats against all people. 'We are deeply disturbed about the increasing reports of violence and threats against Muslims, Arab...

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Debate on the Role of Talk Radio in Tense Times

September 14, 2001

Source: Orlando Sentinel

On September 14, 2001 the Orlando Sentinel reported that "as Central Floridians crawled through morning traffic Thursday, a talk-radio host told his listeners that Muslims at 'the mosque on Goldenrod' were celebrating Tuesday's terrorist attacks on America... A talk-show caller related the tale of a melee at the University of Central Florida prompted by rejoicing Arab-Americans... Neither incident occurred. There was no celebration. And there was no fight... The airing of anonymous callers making unchecked claims about local Muslims...

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Religious Communities and Advocacy Organizations Issue Statements Regarding Backlash, Scapegoating

September 14, 2001

Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/archives/2001/01-163.htm

On September 14, 2001, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a joint statement with U.S. Muslim leaders, which read, in part: "Catholics and Muslims meet regularly as friends and religious partners in dialogue and engage together in many community projects. We are fully committed to one another as friends, believers, and citizens of this great land. We abhor all...

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Citizens Act Locally to Support Muslim Neighbors

September 13, 2001

Source: Portland Press Herald

On September 13, 2001, The Portland Press Herald reported that "Muslims in Portland received an outpouring of community support Wednesday - a day when many feared they would be targeted for harassment, violence or worse. Community leaders made a public plea Wednesday to guard against potential acts of prejudice, hatred and violence toward Maine's Muslim population in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Nearly 500 people gathered on the steps of City Hall Wednesday for an interfaith show...

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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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National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

September 13, 2001

Source: Reuters

September 13, 2001, Reuters. Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman, announced that President Bush had declared Friday, September 14 as a day of prayer and remembrance. "Fleischer said Bush planned to attend a prayer service in Washington Friday and to urge U.S. citizens to take time out of their day to attend services at churches, synagogues and mosques 'to pray for our nation, to pray for the families of those who were victimized by this act of terrorism.'"

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