November 29th, 2017
Written by - Reem Kaouk '19
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” …
The First Amendment, arguably the most important amendment to our constitution. Yet, is it respected? When our own President has tried to establish a Muslim ban and tweets videos that are titled “Muslim Destroys a Statue of Virgin Mary!” and “Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!”, how is this freedom respected? Donald Trump has been fuel to the rising islamophobic sentiment in the United States. He uses terms such as “radical islam” or simply “islamists” when talking about terrorists and uses stereotypes in his own foreign policy.
Growing up, I never really understood why there were not people like me around. I always felt left out of something important. I even wanted to switch my faith just so I could be able to answer when the teacher asked “What gifts did you guys get over break?!”. I was so ashamed to be a Muslim and I felt weird and different for it. I felt as if my own country hated me, especially around the anniversary of 9/11. But why should I feel upset for the actions of monsters? I was around the constant stereotype that “all Muslims are terrorists” that I started to believe it myself. Imagine feeling ashamed for such a horrible tragedy, imagine feeling like that is your fault. I believed that I was surrounding myself with people who would help me be confident of my faith, but the terrorist jokes came from everyone, even my best friends. But what could I do to change it? Is this just how life is for a Muslim in America?
This division between Muslims and Americans make no sense at all. How does your religion not allow you to be a true American? This division is what pushes more and more insecure Muslims to become radicalized. If a vulnerable Muslim person is being constantly reminded that their own home country hates them and wants them out, they are going to look for a new group, a new place to belong. This is what terrorists groups understand and use to their advantage. They tell these vulnerable people that they will be part of something bigger than themselves and will be loved and respected for it.
I in no way respect the choices made by these people to join those terrorist groups, but we must recognize as a country by creating a greater division we are only making those groups stronger. We need to understand that the greatest victims of these terrorist groups are real Muslims. By tarnishing the name of a true peaceful religion, Muslim americans everywhere are being punished for enacting their first amendment right to religion.
I end with a simple note to our own President Trump.
Terrorism has no religion. Be a President and bring this country together, not drive it apart.
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