How American Muslims Face Battles in Their Struggle for Acceptance and Essay

How American Muslims Face Battles in Their Struggle for Acceptance and the Right to Wear Religious Grab in Public Settings - Essay Example Just like all other religious communities in America, Muslims also have a right to carry out their religious activities and wear their traditional dresses at public sites and other events. Nevertheless, many Americans feel alarmed whenever they come across a Muslim man or woman in his or her customary dressing. Thus, measures are being taken by the Muslims of America and some political right activists. The root of this problem has been described as the widespread terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists, which has lead most Americans to believe that every man in a shalwar kameez should be a terrorist. In order to tackle this problem, senators have raised their voices to defend the civil rights of Muslim Americans, and have warned that the Muslim community should not be falsely judged, by the acts of a few radical ones. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has declared that Muslims living in America should not be discriminated against and should be allowed to practice their right, which has been authorized by the constitution to other Americans. Hijab has been a heated topic in many parts of the world, with countries like France and Turkey attempting to ban it. In America, Muslim women outnumber Muslim men, four to one, as is reported Samuel Cole in his article ‘Donning the Hijab’. ... Furthermore, according to an article ‘Hijab in America’, encouraging legal actions are taking place in the United States. In 2004, a school girl was not allowed to wear a hijab. When the matter was taken to court, the United States Justice Department supported the girl in her argument. Also tips against discrimination of Hijab, have been issued by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which advises Muslim women what to do when they are criticized for wearing Hijab in public or any workplace. It also assures the Muslim women that they are allowed to wear Hijab at their workplace under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. With a robust learning program, the Muslim community in America could convince their fellow Americans that hijab is just part of a Muslim woman, through which she can appear distinct from others and moreover it is something that represents religious freedom in America in contrast to other parts of the world, like France, where the government is adamant to ban Hijab regardless the continuous appeals by the Muslim population. It is a fact that Muslim women are discriminated more for wearing the customary dress than Muslim men, in America. Hijab has been an ongoing controversial topic in America, with most Americans unable to understand the true reason behind the wearing of the veil. This situation was unpleasant before the 9/11 attacks, and after that it just became worse. After the attacks, President Bush repeatedly cautioned the American population to be friendly towards the Muslim population and not to undermine their values. This was a positive approach towards the acceptance of the religious garb worn by American Muslims by the