As you all know, September 11 2001 was the day that the New York World Trade center was attack by terrorists which were known to be Arabs (Muslim).
They were known as:
1) Mohamed Elamir awad al-Sayed Atta
2)Satam Al Suqami
3) Wail M. Alshehri (Alive)
4) Waleed M. Alshehri (Alive)
5) Abdulaziz Alomari (Alive)
6) Fayez Banihammad
7) Ahmed Alghamdi
8) Hamza Alghamdi
9) Mohand Alshehri (Alive)
10) Saeed Alghamdi (Alive)
11) Ahmad Al Haznawi (Alive)
12) Marwan Al-Shehhi
13) Ziad Samir Jarrah
14) Ahmed Alnami
15) Khalid Almihdhar
16) Majed Moqed
17) Salem Alhazmi (Alive)
18) Nawaf Alhazmi
19) Hani Hanjour
As you can see, these are just names of the terrorist. There are other millions of people who come from the same country as they do, but they were not part of them. So why do they all have to be stereotyped as Terrorists?.Just because a couple of people decided to waste their lives and kill a couple of innocent people, does not mean that all Arabs and Muslims are bad.
For instance, Nigerians are known to live their life to the fullest and enjoy every bit of it (I know this because I am one). But who would have known a young wealthy Nigerian known as Abdul Mudallad would have risked his life to Hijack a plane heading to Detriot. I remember when the news broke out, everyone was shocked. They couldn't still believe that he would do such a thing.
At this moment, Nigerians are put on the map as terrorists just because of one man. I feel it is really sad that people have to suffer for what others did and a religion is judged because those that were caught happen to be Muslims.
Please your comments are appreciated.
I will admit that I once carried many misgivings about Arabs, Muslims, and some Middle Eastern countries.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes, they perpetuated violence, subjugated women, and that their bible taught hate. I honestly believed that a crime committed would not be frowned upon in the same light it is in the Western world.
That bubble of ignorance has since been popped and I realize that the problem was a lack of information.
Generally speaking, we are constantly taught of the war crimes and violent acts and- again- oppression. I can honestly say that I learned nothing in high school of Arabs, certain African countries, and certain Middle Eastern countries other than acts of war.
It saddens me to know that is what is being taught at countless schools throughout our country.
My view drastically changed when I met a girl in high school who was Muslim and invited me to her home for a meal with her family. That is another story within itself, but I was shocked and overwhelmed at the hospitality I received. I was stunned that she wasn't forced to wear hijab. I was stunned to learn their story of why they came to the U.S. and how they had been treated here.
I feel that if more people broadened their horizons, they would be shocked at what was found.
If we, as a people, made it more important to teach tolerance and to obliterate ignorance (even just in schools alone) these stigmas would fade over time.
Unfortunately, I do not see this happening in my lifetime (because this country is a blame game- the finger must always be pointed at someone), but I will strive to see it in the life around me.
I will teach my daughter what I was not taught and I will correct my friends when they make an incorrect statement and, hopefully, they will spread their knowledge and it will become an endless cycle.