Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon immediately raised questions regarding possible responsibility for the tragedy. Islamic groups and people of Middle Eastern descent are often stereotyped and initially blamed in terrorist attacks, causing concern and fear of possible hate crimes in retaliation. 

Following the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma, Muslims, Arabs, and other members of Middle Eastern descent were the victims of intense intimidation, verbal harassment, and physical assault and abuse. The most serious cases resulted in a pregnant Iraqi woman losing her child as a result of intense verbal abuse and harassment after her home was attacked. A mosque in Oklahoma was also the target of a drive by shooting shortly following the 1995 bombing. 

Officials at The College of New Jersey and local Islamic leaders say that there are no signs of hostility against local Arabs or Muslims. However,  Dr. Jesse H. Rosenblum, Associate Vice President of College Relations issued word from Mary Elaine-Perry, Dean of Student Life, that counseling would be provided by the College, specifically for Muslims and students of Middle Eastern descent. 

Khalid Ali, a member of the Masjidul Taqwa mosque in Trenton said, "We haven't received any form of harassment. It seems like nowadays, people are controlling themselves more. They realize that initially there are a lot of false reports, so maybe they will show constraint. You can blame anyone, but cooler heads will prevail." 

A recent study published by the Hartford Institute for Religious Research said that the number of mosques in the U.S. has grown by 25 percent in the last five years. There are an estimated 6 to 7 million Muslims in the U.S. While stereotypes persist, Muslim Americans are more prominent and visible than in the past. "Many people have become aware of what Islam is truly about," said Ali. "This was not an act of Islam. We don't know who did it, but there is no good reason to have done it, whoever is responsible." Ali expressed the deepest condolences on behalf of the local Islamic community. "Our prayers go out to them," he said. "Man plans, but Allah is the best of planners."

© 2001. By Idris Ali. All Rights Reserved.

Idris Ali is a senior journalism major at The College of New Jersey.

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