Muslims Face Increased Attention and Scrutiny this Ramadan

November 16, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On November 16, 2001, The New York Times reported that "in past years, American Muslims say, they could celebrate...without their non-Muslim colleagues and neighbors ever noticing...[but] this will be a Ramadan unlike any other." American Muslims have witnessed "their religion, their beliefs and their behavior attract unprecedented scrutiny...Some of the attention is positive. The terrorist attacks have made some non-Muslims increasingly knowledgeable about and accepting of Islam...But some of the attention has heightened Muslims' concerns...This Ramadan, for example, some Muslims say they may avoid mosques known for preaching against Israel or collecting money for Palestinian causes...[and] government scrutiny is likely to have a direct effect on the Ramadan ritual of giving money to charity...Muslims are aware that the government is investigating Islamic charities."