Last March, two fires burned a mosque in Minneapolis, Minn. According to an article by the Star Tribune, investigators suspect that the fires were set to hide the burglary of an office inside the Islamic Community Center. Before the first fire occurred witnesses reported seeing two men leaving in a white van.
Last May, Colorado’s largest mosque almost fell prey to an arsonist. Before the suspect could do any damage to the Denver mosque, he fled the scene and led police on a seven-mile car chase before he was finally apprehended. According to The New York Times, the suspect’s car contained an arsenal of bomb-making materials, four guns and 1,000 rounds of ammunition. When arrested, the man reportedly said to police "I am an enemy against the Islamic nation, and I was going to take care of business.”
Many American Muslims feel that incidences like these are bound to continue as long as the American public continues to be misinformed about the Islamic faith. Organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have made tremendous progress in presenting Islam in its true light, particularly through their tireless efforts to contact the media to ensure fair and accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims. Many American Muslims nationwide have also taken it upon themselves to make a difference and help educate Americans about Islam.
“Well I think that each of us individually can make changes. Every time we meet a non-Muslim and identify ourselves as Muslims, and inform people about the real Islam, we can break stereotypes and present ourselves as positive examples of who and what Muslims really are,” says Hiba.
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