| Home > Resources > Leadership > Executive Summary > Case Studies Case Study 2001, Post September 11, Some in U.S. Vilify Islam, Others Reach Out Alongside harassment and discrimination, the attacks of September 11 created a surge of interest in Islam and Muslims. Interfaith and community outreach projects, as well as educational efforts by the press, helped foster greater fellowship and understanding across ethnic and religious divides. In New York City, local Muslim leaders also observed an increase in interest in Muslims and Islam. For example, while many in the Muslim community were victims of acts of ethnic hatred, many non-Muslims reached out to the community to offer support and to help protect their Muslim neighbors. A leader of an Arab-American service organization commented, "We've...had an outpouring of people who really care about us. We at the center have had hundreds of people wanting to volunteer at the time right after 9-11 when we wanted escorts to take children to school because they were afraid to go to school, or women to go to the stores."
References Peek LA. Community isolation and group solidarity: Examining the Muslim student experience after September 11th. In: Monday JL, ed. Beyond September 11: An account of post disaster research. Special publication #39. Boulder, CO. 2003:81-102. Peek LA. Post September 11 experiences of Muslim Americans. In: The Hidden Victims of Disaster, plenary session at the 28th Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. July 15, 2003. Kaufman, Stephen New York Muslims Educate Their Neighbors About Their Faith. Washington File 1/30/02 accessed on-line April 19, 2004. |
