How would you feel if...?

Question

How would you feel if you were a terror suspect in your own country merely based on how you chose to dress (e.g. using a Muslim headscarf)? We, the Aussie Muslims, are scared to death that very soon we are going to be arrested and deported just for nothing...perhaps because we were vaguely related to some vague terror suspects. How would you feel if you were in my shoes?

Given the ill-founded claim that Muslims are not denouncing terrorism:

http://www.islamosphere.com/2007/07/07/fatwa-against-terrorism/

Answer 1

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I am Australian and do feel for you. I have a great Moslem friend but he is male so it might be easier for him. His last name is Hussein though, how funny is that?...and his Dad's first name starts with S.
Anyway, the media doesn't help but there are some pretty kooky leaders in the Islamic arena too, and let's face it - they aren't exactly helping you when they say silly things that send the press into a media frenzy.
Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult for the average person to distinguish between what is just talk about the eccentricities of your religion and what is talk that appears to support the concept of terrorism.
Kevin Andrews is a deadset jerk. They arrested an innocent man and won't admit it, but remember it is not the first time the Liberal Party has done that...and I don't just mean for Islam issues either...aboriginal, gay, corporate high-flyer, corruption, refugees...these are all examples of how the LP has reduced human rights in Australia.
All I can say is be true to yourself and if anyone tries to borrow your phone dob them in to protect yourself and your family.
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Answer 2

I don't think you're going to be deported. You may be harrassed by ignorant people, though.

I live in the USA; I'm very caucasion, but my wife and her family are from India. They are Hindus, not Muslims, except for one brother in law who is Sufi. Members of her family have reported instances of harrassment by the police; apparently because they "look Middle Eastern."

I belong to a minority religion; Baha'i. We are all races, but many of us come from Iran. I recall a meeting at someone's home where something hit the window with a loud crack. We ducked for cover. It turned out to be only a water balloon thrown by a teenage boy; but we all strongly suspect it was done because he didn't like the looks of some of the people in the house. It was pretty silly I guess, but some of the people in our group were very shaken up by the incident.

Also, our local Hindu temple (where my wife and I were married) had an attempted bombing. The only damage was that the front door was burnt a little. The two boys who did it were caught. Not only were they not very good at making bombs, they couldn't tell the difference between Hindus and Muslims. The funny thing is there was a Masjid only a block away from the Hindu temple. One of the boy's father's insisted "it was not a hate crime." Yeah, right.

Just for the record on non-Muslim terrorists--how about Timothy McVeigh and David Koresh?

Answer 3

I understand why you want to wear your headscarf and clothing that is important to you and your culture, however I am sure you can see where a lot of people are nervous in the current state of things in the world. I am not saying it is right to judge someone based solely on their dress, religion or country of origin but it is how most people are. I dated a guy through most of high school who had an Iranian father (this was during a time when there were US hostages in Iran and it was a very touchy topic). He got a lot of harassment because of his background (even though he was born in the US and his family was appalled by the situation in Iran). I got equal harassment for dating him. I would try to explain things to the people who would listen and do my best to ignore the others. It isn't easy, I understand...and I know what I experienced is a fraction of what you are going through. All I can suggest is that you try to remember a lot of people's reaction is based on fear and it could help to try to educate them so they are not afraid...even if that only means not afraid of you. Part of the problem is (as I see it) that the only Muslim groups that are really heard much right now are the extremists. The rest of the Muslim population needs to reach out and show the world that all Muslims are not like this. It is sad that you are the ones that have to make the effort, but you are the ones suffering the most from the current situation (even though it is through no fault of your own...it is just how most people are).

Answer 4

Seems to me that you have two clear choices.You could easily throw your headscarf away as it isn't required,as a prerequisite, by your faith and you only wear it as a badge.Or you could move to another country,for instance Indonesia or Pakistan,where you may feel more at ease about being implicated with terrorists.As for being in your shoes,would you blame me if I checked them out for plastic explosives first.

Answer 5

I think it was Winston Churchill who said, " If a suspect was a blue eyed red haired man and it was our duty to protect the realm I would arrest every red haired blue eyed man in the country. I do not care how you feel and until your "Community Leaders" in Oz & Uk start condemming the terrorist acts without reservation you will qiute rightly be an object of some suspician. The ball is in your court.

Answer 6

Muslims in Australia have exactly the same civil and human rights as any other Australian citizen or resident. To consider that Muslims in general are being singled out is simple paranoia.

Mohamed Haneef has been freed and allowed to fly to India. Obviously his explanation about why his sim-card was in the possession of a suspected terrorist has been accepted.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070728/tpl-uk-britain-bomb-australia-47c7853.html
Family, clan and tribal connections are regularly exploited by Islamist terrorists to further their aims. If your cousin is a Jihadi, chances are you know something about it.

Muslims in Australia are not the innocent little victims you portray. In those areas where they (wrongly) see themselves in control they are willing to use violence and intimidation to impose their will.

Answer 7

Well, I suppose to answer this I would have to answer with a few questions of my own.

How would you feel if you were considered a football player in your own country merely based on how you chose to dress (e.g. wearing shinguards and a helmet)?
or
How would you feel if you were considered a policeman in your own country merely based on how you chose to dress (e.g. badge and uniform)?
or
How would you feel if you were considered gay in your own country merely based on how you chose to dress (e.g. using lipstick and high heels)?

What I'm getting at is maybe you shouldn't rub it in our face when you're in public. I know it's not your fault but a lot of guys, wearing Muslim headgear, are lining up right now to cut the heads off Americans.
Hello?
I don't believe it would go very well if I walked down a street in Baghdad wearing a cowboy hat.

If I see a man running naked down the street, screaming and waving a butcher knife would it be terribly judgemental of me to be a little concerned.
If it walks like a duck.
If it quacks like a duck.
You see my point.
If my son had been killed in Iraq trying to bring freedom to an oppressed people and I see you walking down the street with yout scarf on your head.
Excuse me if I don't wish to celebrate your diversity.
Maybe you should be a little more willing to make a small sacrifice and remove your scarf when you are enjoying the freedoms this country allows you?
What do you think?

Answer 8

Aussie muslims? Thats a new one.
Yes its true, all muslims aren't terrorists, but all the terrorists are Muslim - so it pays for the relevant organisations to be vigilant - airport security etc.
It would help alot if Muslims were seen to be exposing the 'cancer' within their own ranks, instead of sitting on the fence.


Hey Jennifer.. Ignorant??? No, factual yes!
9/11 - Muslims
Bali - Muslims
Madrid - Muslims
7/7 - Muslims
Glasgow attack - Muslims
Attempted London car bomb - Muslims

Need I go on??? It is you who is the ignorant one, young Jennifer.

Answer 9

I was once arrested for sitting in a car reading a book at the wharf near my house. I sat there often to enjoy the peacful water front. At the time I was reading "In Search of Shroedenger's Cat" (a book about the development of quantum theory). I was also taking notes in my lap and listening to the radio with both windows down.
It wasn't dark yet, about 9:30 pm. An unmarked, black crown vic pulls up. Two uniforms get out and move to both of my open windows. Very antagonistic and suspicious in manner they ask what I'm doing. I still had the book in my hand open, and the noted in my lap. They asked if it was for school. I explained that I enjoy learning on my own, and cannot afford school. They ask me to step out of the car and handcuff me.
They say that I am trespassing. (At a public wharf which says open dusk till dawn, fishing allowed 24 hours).
The cocky officer leaves for 20 minutes as the sun is going down. He gets back at 10:10pm and begins to search my car. Finds some knives, nun-chucks, a home-made bong he calls the "black and decker of bongs" and 2 grams of marijuana. I am booked into eastern district on trespassing and possession of drug pariphanilia. They put me in a holding cell by myself for 3 hours, then they place a large herion addict who appears a bit tweaked into my cell, (4' X 4')
for 2 more hours. They take me to the commissioner around 3:30 am. He is very pissy. Talks to me like I am the worst kind of criminal, and says I should feel lucky that he is letting me go on my own promise to show up in court.
I had to walk 6 miles to my house, then 3 miles to the lot where they impounded my car... I couldn't get my car until 8 am, and they would only take cash, so I had to walk 2 more miles to the bank and then back with cash.
I was wearing long black shorts with chains hanging from the legs and a white tank top. (I looked like a typical wanna-be thug...) I couldn't really explain things to them because I am mildly Autistic. I use marijuana as a form of self-medication for when I get inverted on occations. I hadn't needed it for months but kept it hidden in my trunk. I had nun-chucks and throwing knives because I train with them in Tae Kwon Do.
(for self-discipline) The clothes were my brothers way of helping me fit in with other people... bought at hot topic.

I was very unhappy about the misjudgment. I was very aggrevated by the behavior of the officer and the commisioner... but in the end I realized that God gave me this experience to affect me for good purpose. I got out of that neighborhood. I got rid of that ugly car. I still find benefit in marijuana use in a controlled manner. Now they have my finger prints on file incase I ever decide to rob someone.
Whatever. I wont let these things turn me bitter towards society.
It just gives me more insight into the disfuntion of it all.
Maybe I can fix it one day.

Answer 10

I'm sorry but 'First Ascent' has hit the nail right on the head. You must remember, like it or not, most terrorists, worldwide are Muslims. Also, as previously mentioned, the vast majority of law abiding Muslims could do themselves a favour by reporting terrorists or people they suspect might be terrorists. This would not only help to get this scum behind bars but, more importantly, would demonstrate your sincerity in achieving this aim.