In what has been a long and concerning battle for equality, Muslim leagues and organizations in New York City have battled against racism and an increase in hate crimes against individuals who openly and proudly follow the faith.
In the wake of the “Ground Zero Mosque Debate”, Muslim leaders have criticized the presidency for not speaking out in their favor.
“We need to establish a connection, and get the rest of the country to realize that we are proud Americans too,” Said Abdul Sahgayhim, a prominent Muslim scholar, “It is hurtful that my brothers and sisters in Christianity and Judaism, who believe in the same God as me, fail to see that we are here to help and make America a better place, too.”
President Obama has attempted to encourage peaceable talks with Middle Eastern nations in his term and has explicitly praised moderate Muslim leaders for providing a good example for the Muslim community in America.
“We are not the Jihad. We are no more the Jihad than radicals of any other religions are the jihad,” Stated Sahgayhim, “For every religion there are fundamentalists and zealots, but people should understand that not everything in the Qur’an is to be taken literally, and those who do are called extremists.”
Sahgayhim referenced how Christians no longer believe in oppressing women, even though the Bible says that they are not equal. It is true that many religions have ancient and archaic premises. Perhaps in the future when the wounds of 9/11 have healed, it will be easier for America to accept and even cherish the Muslim community.







