Muslims Are People Too

Although Islam is the second largest religion in the world, it still has little popularity in America. I am an American Muslim. I live in a rural area with people that I have know my whole life. I generally get along with everybody, and in my hometown, being a Muslim was never anything that my friends and the people I know were really prejudiced against. But there is a deal of racism that goes on, so I don't wear a scarf on my head out of fear of being targeted.

During the summer, and when I have fridays off from school, my family goes to the mosque together in a larger city. On occasion, when my dad doesn't have to work, we make a big event of it. After prayers, we'll spend the afternoon in the mall or at a park. When I was younger, this was always fun. It felt like the rest of the world didn't really matter except my family and I. It always felt like it was just us. However, during recent years I've noticed a difference. When I go out afterwards with my family with my scarf on, I get sideways glances, awkard stares, and sometimes even ignored.

I remember the moment I first noticed this trend was during an afternoon at the mall. I went into one of my favorite stores, and I wasn't greeted by anyone when I first walked in. I thought that was a little odd, but I didn't really think anything of it. It wasn't until I was browsing through the jeans that it really hit me that I was treated differently. I asked for help, and the woman hardly looked me in the eye. Another woman and I caught eyes. I smiled, but she quickly looked away. I understand that these things happen, but I began to get suspicious.

I left the store and kept walking around to see if I could prove that I was being treated differently. A little boy stared at me, and his mother grabbed his hand and pulled him the other way. I saw a group of teenage girls look at me like I was crazy. The sense that it was just me and my family that I felt when I was younger wasn't simply a carefree thought. We really were isolated. People felt uncomfortable around us.

I have tried to figure out why exactly this happens, and the only reason that I can come up with is that we are different. Many people don't know what it means to be Muslim, and with so much bad press, many might believe that we carry bombs in our pockets and constantly think about war and destruction. It is the responsiblity of all of us as Americans to try to understand each other and to keep an open mind, but with all that we see and hear about Muslims, it's just so hard to do. As an American Muslim, I work hard to educate others on the true nature of Islam. That we believe in Jesus, just not as the son of God. That women aren't inferior to men. That jihad does not mean war or suicide. However with so many people and not enough Muslims to spread our true beliefs, all of the lies taint America's vision of Islam. An injustice which we should all work hard to fight off.