Muslims, do you face discrimination, and if so, what helps you cope?

Question

As salaam alaikum dear brothers and sisters. I am facing alot of discrimination in my neighborhood. InshaAllah, I will be moving to another state mid June. I sometimes feel so hurt and angry that my family and I are "targets" . If you face discrimination, what sorts of things do you do to help you cope with the situation?

InshaAllah, may ALLAH bless us all.....

Matt, Yes I am an American muslim revert. I am a very devout, practicing muslim. I wear the hijab (headscarf) as it is required in Islam, so it is obvious that I am a muslim. I am very proud of my faith, and cannot help being discriminated against. You asked as though it is my fault I am discriminated against? I do not flaunt.

By the way, this question is headed MUSLIMS.

Anon, I am not caontacting Yahoo answers for "help". I have just asked my fellow muslims a question.

As for you muhhammed whatever your name is....I will pray for you...you obviously need all the help you can get

Travis, I am not moving because of the discrimination. And please READ before you answer. This question is for MUSLIMS.

Dear Muslim, thank you for your kind words and du'a. Alhumdulilah, ALLAH has shown you the light...

Answer 1

I just wanted to say, I'm sorry people react in such a way. You don't diserve that kind of treatment from those people. Just remember, you know better, so do better. People are just afraid; afraid by what they do not understand and by what is different. Don't let that cause you to lose track of what makes you unique, or scare you away. Teach, never fight it. If you open the minds of others, you both win. I may not be Muslim, but we all have and believe in God, and may you be blessed just the same. Good luck =)

Answer 2

Yes, I face discrimination EVERY DAY.--I SWEAR EVERY DAY---unless I happen to stay home that day or whatever... I'm still trying to find things to help me cope some days are a lot better than others. I guess I have just always been a person to trudge through life though..the only thing I fear is that I will at some point isolate myself from society ...sometimes it's needed for a bit--for a day or two if there is too much going on to ignore. Otherwise I try to get involved in things that interest me -- when you can do that in a group it's good because you are already with other ppl that have the same interest as you and they might be more likely to get to know you and that way you can put away stereotypes. Maybe you can take some classes at a community college a couple days a week or something.

Since you are moving and getting a fresh start maybe you can volunteer one day a week at a homeless shelter or some similar activity. It doesn't have to be something that takes up too much time just something to keep you a little busy where you will be doing something positive and will be out in public with other ppl who might not know about Islam but will be happy for your help. Of course you should try and get involved with Muslims too but don't isolate yourself completely either.

Also, it's just nice for me to be with my husband when we are not working. It's my escape from the negativity. Of course prayer is also good but I think that is obvious.

I read the book In The Footsteps of the Prophet by Tariq Ramadan and it made me feel great --it talked a lot about the first Muslims and what they went through. It helped...the only problem is I need to read it again. :) I started it the other day.

Hang in there, I hope this helps a bit.
Salaam-

i read about a group in my area once called the daughters of abraham --it's a group of women, christian, jewish and muslim that get together sometimes to talk about life and their faiths--everyone said they loved it--I lost the info though--maybe you could find a group like that.

Answer 3

I am very sorry that some people are so narrow-minded that they cannot understand anything that's beyond their own faith, culture and interests. It's an extremely sad situation and I feel for you. Don't be discouraged by their words and deeds. Allah is watching over you and your family, even when you're asleep or unconscious. Sister, see this period as a trial. We all go through hard times, don't we? Maybe Allah is testing you to see how strong your Iman is and what your actions are during this period. It's natural to feel scared, and it's natural to feel like a fish out of water when you're in a non-muslim country. But, don't give up! One verse in the Quran that really strengthened my belief in Allah was 65:12.

http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_23.html

Alhamdulillah, we are blessed to be Muslims!

I am from a country that's primary Buddhist. Being a Muslim has not made me any less patriotic to my country, but some people don't quite believe it. Since I hail from a conservative family, I'm usually taken to be someone who has had a very sheltered life and not really "lived". They think that I accept my religion just because I was born into it, and therefore that my knowledge about the world is limited. Some are even shocked that I speak English or that I take interest in current affairs! At first glance, they think I'm from the lower-class society. I'm not physically harmed, but I know something of what you're going through.

Answer 4

The basis of the occurrence of evils are those desires which are acted upon and the orders that are innovated. They are against the Book of Allah. People co-operate with each other about them even though it is against the Religion of Allah. If wrong had been pure and unmixed it would not be hidden from those who are in search of it. And if right had been pure without admixture of wrong those who bear hatred towards it would have been silenced. What is, however, done is that something is taken from here and something from there and the two are mixed! At this stage Satan overpowers his friends and they alone escape for whom virtue has been apportioned by Allah from before.

Answer 5

Well, sorry to hear about that sister, hope you have a better time in your new place.


I personally don't face such things face to face, but when I get online where people don't know who the other is like YA, I get to see a lot of discrimination.


Now, the way I cope with it, I learn more about Islam, i read the Qur'an and read about the Prophet's life (pbuh).

Makes my faith stronger and I get to learn more.

I also listen to Dr. Zakir Naik, and Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, amongst others.


IM me with any problems, or if your feeling down about such things, am usually here.

Answer 6

Asalaamu alaykum Aaliyah,

beautiful name btw. I am also a muslim convert from England. Alhamdulillah Allah has allowed me to make hijrah to Saudi, to a land of islam, where there is no discrimination against me. If this option is open to you I highly recommend it. Insha Allah I will be praying Jummah today in masjid al haram, I will make dua for you. take care

Answer 7

Walaikum asalam. I am sorry to hear that you are discriminated based on religion. Alhum do lillah, no, it has never happened to me. Thank Allah, people that I've been around with are not senseless and are intelligent.

I hope and pray that your new place will be better for you Insha ALlah and that your neighborhood is going to be nice. :)

Answer 8

I live in Indonesia, and most of the time religion is never an issue in every day life.....well there will always be extremist in every religion though...but on a day to day basis, every religion is free and safe from discrimination... ^^

Answer 9

Those that don't fight for the lives of non-muslims are not much better than those killing non-muslims. I have great love for many individuals that are stuck in the rut called islam. But they often support things that warrant correction. muslims all need to grow up. They can't take criticism, or responsibility for ruining the world.

Christians are always treated rudely by almost everyone all the time. Do they move every time?

Answer 10

If you are a "target" as you claim, contact the police or the FBI instead of Yahoo Answers.