I want to complete studying in the USA, I'm affraid to go, coz I'm an arab muslim.?

Question

I don't know whether people in the US hate muslims because some of them went extreme and made the 11th of sept catastrophy.
I am a doctor, do patients, will be affraid from me just because my arabic features? or because my name is Mahmoud.
do people in the states understand that there are the extremes of every religion? and those extremes are considered by all regular muslims, as non muslims for their actions.
shall I face discrimination from others? are you able tolerate a muslim as a friend of u (provided that he doesn't care what do u believe or not believe in)?
anyway these is important for me, because, depending on ur answers I'll be able to find whether shall I proceed in the USMLE examination or not.

Answer 1

It all depends on the people you happen to meet. Yes, some Americans will be prejudiced against you, and will discriminate against you not only as a Muslim, but as a foreigner as well.

However, do not judge all Americans by the loud and cowardly extremists you may see on this site. Many Americans are pretty open-minded and willing to see you as a unique individual, not as a stereotype.

So it depends a lot on the geographical area you want to live in, and the individual people you meet. I would suggest moving to a city with a diverse population, such as New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles; they tend to be more accepting of foreigners and Muslims than rural, all-white towns in the South and Midwest.

You will also need to drastically improve your English spelling and grammar if you want to gain the respect of Americans.

Answer 2

Salaam Alaykum, Your feelings are just and well grounded in
truth. The media depicts Muslims negatively in our media which most people in the States get their information. They never talk, discuss, or even question the validity of the reporting. The United States is a violent society. I live here I know the crime stats. The most unviolent people that live and work here are Muslims....However the media has depicted us as violent and a threat. I was born in the United States and was wearing hijab when some ignoramus in a pick up truck shouted at me to go back to my own country..I began to walk towards him and sarcasticly ask him if I should go back to the hospital because I was born here...but the coward pulled off. My blood pressure went through the roof and I realized this was for the best and that it was stupid to engage these kinds of people. Many Muslims live and flourish here in the States and you will find this does not exist in an educated community. It does not deter many from attending university...
you may occasionaly run into these jerks from time to time but
as a rule they only exist in the lower income, uneducated, and
thoughtless community. If it wasn't for our Arab and Southeast Asian brothers and sisters living here...it would be tragic indeed. We need and want you in our communities. The more Americans are exposed to Islam the less fearful they become of the propaganda and demonization of us and Islam..trust me. You will find many are curious and or indifferent to your race, religion, and background. The curious will ask you endless questions with fascination because it breaks the stereotypes put forth from the media. People here are way over 9-11 and are more antagonistic to our elected officials
for their betrayal to us and lies. I hope this helps.
Wasalaam

Answer 3

There are plenty of people from Middle Eastern areas and India here with accents and all. While some people may make fun of them, they're just a little dim in the head. Many foreigners make a great living here.

Yes, around 9/11, people got a lot more suspicious and paranoid, but I think the idea of tolerance is coming about again. I live in a small town of Texas (conservative for the most part, mostly white), but I see lots of people who fare well from other countries, including Muslim countries.

It also depends on where you go. Some colleges are known for having some racist tendency, others are quite welcoming to international students. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Personally, unless you are a terrorist-type Arab Muslim, then I welcome you to this country. Seriously, I think deep down, most Americans realize that the people that caused 9/11 were a different sort of Muslim, and that there are far fewer of them than there are of honest, personable, Muslim people who treat others as they wish to be treated. But I agree with the person who said the Northeast tends to be one of the most tolerant areas of the country.... kind of interesting when you think back to the fact that the 9/11 stuff happened from DC on up the coast! Whatever, we have our own brand of crazy extremists as well, regardless of religion, or anti-religion. If I were picking a doctor, I would not discriminate on basis of name.

Answer 5

depends where you go in the United States, i'm sure you can find demographic information on religious populations in every state, but avoid the south in general. the northeast is pretty tolerant and probably the west coast. the 9/11 attacks, in all honesty, is in the past, people have moved on. but there are always idiots floating around so i can't promise you anything. Plus if your going to study here, you'll generally be around intelligent tolerant people

Answer 6

Stay in the Northeastern US. I am in NY and there is little antagonism here. Try one of the larger schools like Syracuse, Penn State, U of Connecticut etc. Do not go into the southern states. California, Washington and Oregon should be okay.

Yes. We know there are extremists, hell, half of the Xian extremists are here. You will find Mosques next to Temple next to church here in the USA and no one killing each other over it.

Answer 7

I don't think you would face discrimination, depending on where you settled down. Stay near or in big cities, and you'll be fine. There are lots of Arab Muslims in the U.S.

Answer 8

I'd rather have an Atheist doctor.
You say you've studied science and still are a Muslim. I'd put my faith in a good doctor rather than someone who believes that Muhammed split the moon with his sword!
You haven't learnt anything from years of study if you're still a believer!

Answer 9

You will be fine.
Talk to everyone you see, make jokes, smile. If you look nervous, people will suspect you are up to no good.
The only time I have ever been afraid of someone who looked middle eastern was this man on the train who didn't smile, was looking around, wouldn't talk to anyone and looked creepy.

Answer 10

There are a lot of Arab Muslims in the US. If you stay in multicultural areas, I don't think you'll get much discrimination, although you'll come under a lot of scrutiny at airports.