AROUND THE WORLD 2: Muslims Living in America

By LIA LUZ (Click here to read about the writer)
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire

"Die, pig."

"We're gonna blow you up."

These are some of the threatening messages that Muslim Faisal Gill, 30, has been receiving for the past two days by e-mail. The sentiments reflect the rage of some people in the United States who have massive desire for revenge.

Part of this anger began to be discharged against the followers of Mohammed in the U.S. from the moment that investigations pointed to Arabs and Muslims as the possible executors of the terrorist attacks in Washington and in New York.

President Bush, as well as Secretary of State Colin Powell, declared that the United States will respond to the enemies in a state of war. Public sentiment indicates that around 90 percent of the Americans are in favor of retaliation, causing many Islam institutions enter into a state of alert and send staff home.

A bookstore owned by a Muslim in Alexandria, Va., was struck by vandals. An Islamic Center, 10 miles from Dulles Airport where the hijacked plane that crashed into the Pentagon originated, also had its doors broken. Acts of violence and threats spread to other states. Four men Colorado threatened to burn a mosque. In San Francisco, Texas and Chicago there were also reports of vandalism.

The American-Muslin Council in Washington, only three blocks from the White House, received telephone and e-mail threats but decided to continue their activities and support those who suffered verbal and physical aggressions. A police car in front of the building is the only extra security they count on.

The Council’s director of government affairs, Gill, says that the Council received numerous phone calls from Muslims reporting they had been called "pig," and other bad names, in the streets of Washington. Two of Gill’s colleagues who used to ride the Metro decided to drive to work instead.

In Washington, no serious aggression to a Muslim has been reported so far, but a cab driver said he was attacked by bottles thrown by Americans. To stop the violence, the Ambassador from Saudi Arabia to the United States, Bind Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, claimed the innocence of his country.

He added that Muslims are opposed to violence.

National Public Radio opened its microphone to the Muslim public. An Arabian who identified himself on the radio as Jeff suggested that Bush and the leaders of the Congress should go public to ask Americans to stay calm and not to attack the Arabian "neighbors". Another person used the few seconds on air to clarify that the Muslims fight for peace. Click here to tell us what you think about this story!

Read AROUND THE WORLD 1: The Latino View of the Attacks