American Muslims: Twenty Years After 9/113 min read

The Aftermath of 9/11: Innocent American Muslims and the Chaotic Legacy of the Afghanistan War

It has been nearly two decades since Americans watched the dreadful attacks of 9/11. Every American who is old enough to recall that day remembers exactly where they were when they heard of the attack. It was a day of immense grief, anger, and fear. Americans rightfully wanted someone to pay the price for these horrific attacks. However, those who were often targeted were innocent American Muslims who had nothing to do with 9/11. Further, only one month after 9/11, America invaded Afghanistan. It has since been two decades, and the US finally withdrew its forces and left Afghanistan in a chaotic state. More than 70,000 innocent civilians were killed in the war.

Reflecting on Trauma, Stereotypes, and Challenges Faced Today

In the United States, there is a growing number of Americans who have no memory of that day because they were either too young or born after 9/11. American Muslims born before 9/11 remember a world that was “normal,” one where they were not always labeled as terrorists for simply existing. Sept 11 left a devasting emotional toll on all Americans, but American Muslims felt these on two different levels. First, their country was attacked, and several Muslims also died on 9/11. Second, many began targeting American Muslims by blaming them for the attacks, demonizing Islam, and committing hate crimes. There were calls to ban the building or expansions of mosques, Muslims being illegally spied on by law enforcement, legal discussions about banning Sharia law, as well as a ban on Muslims from entering the country.

Politicians have also used the fear of Muslims to win the support of some radical followers. In the media, there are consistently a group of self-declared experts dissecting Islam in articles and television, painting a picture of Islam as a boogeyman and promoting a clash of civilizations.

Navigating Identity, Hostility, and Society’s Perceptions

American Muslims born after 9/11 only know a world where they are the problem. These young Muslims have grown up only knowing hostility, suspicion, doubts about their American identity, and questions about Islam. Being told to “go back to your country” is something that most American Muslims are familiar with. This is despite the fact that American Muslims, contribute more to American society when compared with other demographics.

Educational Resources for a Harmonious America

After two decades, we owe it to ourselves to step back and reflect on who we are as a nation and where we are going. It is time to heal the divisions that exist between us by acceptance, love, and forgiveness. America belongs to all its people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. One way to start this journey is through education. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves as well as others. To this end, WhyIslam.org has been one of the leading organizations at the forefront of dispelling myths and misconceptions. Along with our website, we have our 877-Whyislam 24/7 hotline in both English and Spanish. Additionally, WhyIslam provides free Qurans and literature from our website. We also have a YouTube channel with hundreds of videos on an array of topics on Islam and Muslims. To bridge the gaps of misunderstandings among those in today’s America, we encourage you to use these resources to learn more.