Is It Just Vengeful Ignorance? | Teen Ink

Is It Just Vengeful Ignorance?

January 12, 2016
By wiltinglilies BRONZE, Ypsilanti, Michigan
wiltinglilies BRONZE, Ypsilanti, Michigan
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

According to Muslim belief, at the age of 40, Muhammad was visited by an  angel while on retreat. The angel recited to him the first revelations of the Quran and informed him that he was God's prophet. Muhammad was told to call his people to the worship of the one God, but they reacted  with hostility and began to persecute him and his followers. (Timeline of Islam, PBS)  Despite circumstances, Muhammad spread the teachings of Islam throughout the Arabian peninsula. His followers, and those who practiced Islam, were called Muslims. Over the years, Muslims have made many achievements in medicine, math, astronomy, geography, literature/arts, and Philosophies. Though Islam was a religion meant to reflect peace, many Islamic extremists have given the religion a disreputable reputation. An example is when Al-Qaeda, an Islamist Organization attacked the World Trade Center and The Pentagon in order to
promote widespread fear throughout the country and severely weaken the United States’ standing in the world community, ultimately supporting their political and religious goals in the Middle East and Muslim World. (FAQ about 9/11, 9/11 Memorial). Over the years, the treatment of American Muslims have been an important topic, and various sources can confirm that depictions of Muslim aren’t very fair and truthful to Muslims themselves. American Muslims are treated unfairly and it is shown through the actions of many American citizens and workplaces.  Muslims in America face religious discrimination, especially from workplaces. Samantha Elauf, a then Muslim teenager, was denied a job at Abercrombie because her hijab “clashed with the dress code.” Samantha had deeper assumptions and filed a complaint against the company for religious discrimination with the E.E.O.C federal agency. From there, a jury concluded that Abercrombie had denied Samantha a job because she’s Muslim, and she was compensated for the offense. The E.E.O.C then appealed the case to the Supreme Court, where the Court is yet to rule a verdict. “If the Court rules for her, it could have broad ramifications for Muslims in the American workplace: Of the 3,800 religious discrimination complaints filed with the E.E.O.C. in 2012, more than 20 percent were from Muslims, who make up less than 1 percent of the U.S. population.” (Doc. 1)  Muslims  in America are facing prejudice from companies and workplaces. Their opportunities of getting jobs are being overlooked, simply due to their religion. Secondly,  American Muslims also face social barriers. “Profiled, harassed, reviled, attacked, peeped at by the CIA and the FBI, interrogated and permanently controlled at airports, the whole community felt excluded of American society.”(Doc. 2)  American Muslims experience special treatment from the CIA and the FBI, and their privacy is questioned. They are harassed, and attacked both verbally and physically by fellow american citizens. Due to this treatment, they feel excluded from American society. Lastly, American Muslims are blamed wrongfully for evil practices by society due to the acts of Islamic Extremists.  “Two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Muslim community in America, victim of guilt by association, remains under siege.” (Doc. 2) After an Islamic Extremist Organization called Al Quaeda committed a terrorist attack, known as 9/11, normal everyday Muslims are now being punished. They receive extra surveillance from safety officials, and guilt is being ascribed to them because of Al Quaeda’s actions. In conclusion, American Muslims receive unjust treatment  from many fellow Americans and workplaces.



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