Talking Points: Talking Points: The Long Road to Tolerance

Will we work toward understanding or build walls?

Muslim views on Americans:

Gallup Survey:

From 10 predominantly Muslim Countries, representing more than 80% of the Muslim population worldwide

When asked what they admire most about the West, Muslims frequently mention political freedom, liberty, fair judicial systems and freedom of speech.
In critiquing their own societies, Muslims’ grievances were inadequate adherence to Islamic teachings and extremism
The survey results say Muslims admire freedom and an open political system but do not need to choose between Islam and democracy.

World Public Opinion Poll Data (4/23/2007)

Poll of Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan and Indonesia has found that a majority of all four predominately Muslim countries believe that undermining Islam is a goal of US foreign policy.
Strong support in all four countries for Sharia Law, but most also view globalization positively and favor democracy and freedom of religion
Large majorities across all four countries believe the US wants to “weaken and divide the Islamic world”.

World Public Opinion poll data: “How Muslims and Americans View Each Other”

The US is viewed negatively in nearly all Muslim countries.
In all Muslim countries polled, majorities said that the US is having a mostly negative influence in the world.
According to a majority of Muslim countries polled, US military presence in the Middle East provokes more conflict than it prevents.

Treatment of Muslim Americans:

In 2005, the Council on American-Islamic Relations processed a total of 1,972 civil rights complaints, a 29.6% increase from 2004.
46 States in the USA do not have protections against religious or religion based profiling
Ahmed Ahmed, a comedian, has a name that matches one of Osama Bin Laden’s henchmen. He is repeatedly arrested in US airports.
Taleb Salhad and his wife were dragged away in handcuffs at the border crossing in Port Huron, Michigan, and then discharged after four hours of questioning, with no explanation from customs officers.
6 Imams were removed from a flight on their way home to Arizona and California, and not allowed any other flights after praying in the terminal before about 45 minutes before boarding.
Tom “Hassan” Kubbany was denied a home loan in California because his middle name matches that of a suspected terrorist, a “Son of Saddam”.
See the CAIR Annual Report 2006

Americans views on Muslims:

March 2006 Washington Post Poll

Nearly half of Americans, 46%, have a negative view of Islam (7 points higher than in the months after 9/11).
The proportion of Americans who believe that Islam promotes violence against non-Muslims has more than doubled since 9/11.
One in three Americans had heard prejudiced comments about Muslims recently.
One in four Americans admitted to harboring prejudice toward Muslims.

2006 Council on American-Islamic Relations report

A CAIR poll showed that one-fourth of Americans consistently believe Muslim stereotypes, like “Muslims value life less than other people” or “The Muslim religion teaches violence and hatred”.

Potential for building bridges and common ground:

World Public Opinion Poll 4/23/2007

Although wary of Western values, a majority in all four countries said it is a good thing that the world is becoming more connected and that a “democratic political system” is a good way to govern their country.
82% agree that in their country, people of any religion should be free to worship according to their own beliefs.

CAIR has launched a year-long "Islam in America" advertising campaign designed to foster greater understanding of Islam and to counter a rising tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric in the United States.

CAIR is lobbying for HR1592, the “Hate Hurts America” Act of 2007, that would allow the Attorney General to provide federal assistance to local law enforcement to aid investigations of crimes motivated by “…prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin…” of the victim.

CAIR has long condemned the acts of 9/11 as vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism.

Other Resources:

ACLU’s page on racial profiling

The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

The Enemy Combatant: My Imprisonment at Guantanamo, Bagram and Kandahar, by Moazzam Begg (The New Press, 2007)

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University

Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation

Whetstone Productions and Anisa Mehdi’s work

Search for Common Ground

Arab American Association of New York

Americans for Informed Democracy

Tom and Nancy Kubbany’s story