You’ve seen the ads: A trio of smiling faces–a white man, a young black girl,
and an Asian man–all radiating friendliness and openness, framed by a banner
that asks, “We’re all Americans . . . but which one of us is a Muslim?” The
punch-line answer is all three.
That ad debuted in February, the first in a campaign designed to counteract
negative stereotypes and misperceptions about Muslims. The Web site of the sponsoring
organization, Council on American Islamic Relations (www.americanmuslims.info),
displays a whole series of wholesome images–a businesswoman wearing a traditional
Muslim hijab, a Muslim family with two beautiful little boys, an all-Muslim
Girl Scout troop. One ad features no photo but large type proclaiming that “many
religions have fallen victim to violent interpretations” and saying American
Muslims condemn all acts of terrorism.
These ads have been appearing in newspapers around the country, and are re-appearing this week as painful memories of 9-11-01 are refreshed. They were commissioned by CAIR’s national organization and made available to individual chapters, like the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, to place in local newspapers (see page 2).
But the friendly message of the ads is not enough to satisfy everybody. Just this week, the State Journal-Register published a letter to the editor from a man saying the ads are pointless until American Muslims take action to reform “authoritarian, misogynist Muslim societies around the world.”
Maryam Mostoufi, a member of the Springfield Islamic group, says she can understand the letter-writer’s point but the ads had a different goal.
“Our first obligation was to educate the public about the Muslims in their presence. Unlike the author of this letter, not all Americans have been that welcoming and accepting of Muslims since 9/11,” Mostoufi says. “This is a way of trying to reassure the American public that Muslim-Americans as a whole are very peace-loving people, they have the same needs, the same interests, the same commitments to this country as they do.”
Their efforts to influence Muslim societies elsewhere in the world include everything from formal statements released internationally after 9/11 to enlistment in the U.S. armed forces.
“There are now Muslim chaplains in each branch of the military because of increasing numbers of Muslim-Americans serving,” she says. “How much more directly involved can you get?”
Concern for relatives still living in other countries also limits what American Muslims can do, Mostoufi says. And she speaks from experience. Born and raised in America, Mostoufi spent several years raising her family in the Middle East before leaving during a time of political turmoil.
“Like other Muslim-Americans, we still have family in other parts of the world that could pay a price for us speaking out,” she says.
Dr. Ashraf Tamizuddin, president of the Springfield group, estimates the local Muslim population at about 100 families from all parts of the world. The tragedy of 9/11 drew the community closer, he says, except for the few people who withdrew.
“Some people are still very frightened and they do not want to be seen or
known,” Tamizuddin says.
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2003.
