Treatment of Muslim Americans and Arab Americans after
September 11
Non-Muslim Americans' Views of Islam
Peek found Muslims have worked extensively in outreach efforts to educate non-Muslim Americans about Islamic beliefs and practices. However, they continue to face significants barriers in affecting widespread change.
Enduring Effects
More recently, Peek pointed to the 2010 controversy over construction of the Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero, and similar projects across the country as evidence of the poor understanding of Muslims among non-Muslim Americans.
"In several communities across the United States, there were really, really volatile debates were or were not going to be allowed to be built in places like Tennessee and Missouri and other communities," Peek said.
Peek found the debate showed a "new normal" were Muslims are often convenient political targets and can be demonized and stigmatized with few repercussions.
Prior to the September 11 attacks, a majority of Americans admitted they lacked even a basic understanding of the Islamic faith. In the years since the disaster, little has changed.
Education is one of the best ways to combat stereotypes, but prior to the 9/11 attacks, the topic was often ignored or taught inaccurately. In "Behind the Backlash," Peek found members of the Muslim community often had to correct teachers and textbooks representing their faith inaccurately. While the incidents occurred before 2001, incorrect notions about Islam often persist.
Before & After