Imam Qadhi discusses how 9/11 negatively impacted American Muslims, leading to a shift in the perception of practicing Islam in the Western Hemisphere

9/11 as a pivotal event for American Muslims.

Reality of practicing Islam in the modern Western Hemisphere so that is definitely a threat internally. Externally we also have a major threat and we’re seeing that threat right now. I’m speaking to a group too young to remember 911. I was in my 20s when 9/11 happened. That is an America long gone the America pre 911 it’s the America of Dreams

The freedoms that we (Muslims) had but also the naivety. What 911 did for the American Muslim Community was like a a punch in the gut. Literally took our breath away complete surprise, complete shock, and how our government reacted and the shutting down of so many institutions the deportation of hundreds of (Muslim) scholars, the jailing that took place.

The lasting impact of 9/11 on the American Muslim community.  

Students who overstay their visas were locked up for years. The horror of Guantanamo is a whole separate category altogether. But the Patriot Act, and how quickly Americans were willing to give up their freedoms out of fear of the other. And the other was us. I remember clearly all these airport securities did not exist at all.

When I would fly back then you would walk with your family all the way to the gate to say goodbye to them and not a single person stopped and checked you.

The whole world has radically changed, and Americans are willing to give up their own freedoms because their governments have created this enemy called the Muslims.

         Parallels drawn between treatment of American Muslims and Japanese Americans.

Let us be realistic and understand what happened to Japanese Americans is one generation away the paranoia that people have when they’re terrified, the irrationality that exists in people who are scared, you cannot negotiate with them.

The trauma of 9/11: a punch in the gut for American Muslims, leading to increased surveillance and discrimination.

Loss of freedoms: The erosion of civil liberties in the name of national security post-9/11.

Unity in fear: Americans willing to sacrifice freedoms out of fear of the “other,” creating a hostile environment for Muslims.

Global shift: The world pre-9/11 was drastically different, with a sense of naivety and freedom now a distant memory.

Parallel with history: Drawing comparisons to the treatment of Japanese Americans, highlighting the dangers of irrational fear and paranoia.

Hope amidst adversity: Despite challenges post-9/11, the American Muslim community persevered, showcasing resilience and strength.

Negotiating fear: The difficulty in reasoning with individuals consumed by fear, leading to irrationality and prejudice.