MICHIGAN COMBATS ANTI-MUSLIM HATRED
Michigan, 19 Jumadal Awwal 1436/10 March 2015 (MINA) – In a bid to address anti-Muslim discrimination in the US, the city of Taylor in the US North East Michigan state has passed a resolution to tackle increasing hatred against American Muslims.
“Taylor agrees to protect all its citizens and families no matter their religion or ethnicity,” the unanimously voted resolution was cited by Christian News Network on Sunday, March 8, On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
“As public servants we have an even greater responsibility to speak out against discrimination and hatred because when the unacceptable becomes the norm in our society, human rights for all are threatened.
According to Councilman Alex Garz, the resolution comes in response to the National Network of Arab American Communities’ Campaign that aims to shift the perceptions of ethnic and religious minorities.
Titled “Take on Hate”, the campaign aims at combating discrimination against US Muslims through public education, media outreach, coalitions’ building as well as legislative reforms.
The campaign was launched last June at the office of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
“I think we should all remind ourselves that this country was not built on us hating each other,” Garza said.
“I think we have to make sure that we continue to remind each other that we support each other and make sure we point out hate when it occurs.”
The Councilman went on saying: “This resolution does not commit the city to anything.
“We’re committing to continuing to take on hate in this country.”
With the recent murder of three young Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the burning of an Islamic Center in Houston, Texas, which authorities ruled as arson, and the numerous reports of personal harassment, Muslims feel they are targeted in the States.
Shocked by the heinous crime, world Muslims mourned the three young American Muslims in North Carolina, pouring into social media to send messages of solidarity to the victims’ families.
Twitter users started to employ the hashtag “#MuslimLivesMatter,” to comment on how the mainstream media ignored the news of the murder which did not make national headlines.
Alarming Islamophobia
Promoting the “Take on Hate” campaign, former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib lamented “an alarming increase in hateful statements about Muslims and reaction towards them.”
“Engaging our neighbors and colleagues and public servants like yourselves who are not of Arab descent or of Muslim faith is critical in combating increasingly negative images that are leading to criminal acts of violence against places of worship, schools and now even our homes,” she said, asserting that Muslims are now under attack and in danger.
Since the 9/11 attacks, US Muslims, estimated between 6-8 million, have complained of discrimination and stereotypes in the society because of their Islamic attires or identities.
A US survey has revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.
A Gallup poll also found that the majority of US Muslims are patriot and loyal to their country and are optimistic about their future.
An Economist/YouGov poll found that a large majority of Americans believe that US Muslims are victims of discrimination amid recent attacks against the community.
Though the anti-hate resolution was widely praised, it has faced opposition by some residents who considered it “unnecessary”.
“I don’t see why we need a resolution to say we’re against hate. We are,” Fred Lyons, an area resident, said.
“Anyone who would say you are supporting hate would be asinine.”
Along with Michigan, Detroit city has also adopted the anti-hate resolution.
It is also scheduled to be passed in more cities including Chicago and Los Angeles. (T/P006/P3)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
