by Sofia Ali-Khan
Dear Non-Muslim Allies,
I am writing to you because it has gotten just that bad. I have found myself
telling too many people about the advice given to me years ago by the late
composer Herbert Brun, a German Jew who fled Germany at the age of 15: “be sure
that your passport is in order.” It’s not enough to laugh at Donald Trump
anymore. The rhetoric about Muslims has gotten so nasty, and is everywhere, on
every channel, every newsfeed. It is clearly fueling daily events of targeted
violence, vandalism, vigilante harassment, discrimination. I want you to know
that it has gotten bad enough that my family and I talk about what to keep on
hand if we need to leave quickly, and where we should go, maybe if the election
goes the wrong way, or if folks get stirred up enough to be dangerous before
the election. When things seem less scary, we talk about a five or a ten year
plan to go somewhere where cops don’t carry guns and hate speech isn’t allowed
on network television. And if you don’t already know this about me, I want you
to know that I was born in this country. I have lived my whole life in this
country. I have spent my entire adult life working to help the poor, the
disabled and the dispossessed access the legal system in this country. And I
want you to know that I am devoutly and proudly Muslim.
I am writing this in response to a non Muslim friend’s question about what she
can do. Because there is much that can be done in solidarity:
If you see a Muslim or someone who might be identified as Muslim being
harassed, stop, say something, intervene, call for help.
If you ride public transportation, sit next to the hijabi woman and say asalam
‘alaykum (That means ‘peace to you.’). Don’t worry about mispronouncing it; she
won’t care. Just say "peace" if you like. She’ll smile; smile back. If you feel
like it, start a conversation. If you don’t, sit there and make sure no one
harasses her.
If you have a Muslim work colleague, check in. Tell them that the news is
horrifying and you want them to know you’re there for them.
If you have neighbors who are Muslim, keep an eye out for them. If you’re
walking your kids home from the bus stop, invite their kids to walk with you.
Talk to your kids. They're picking up on the anti-Muslim message. Make sure
they know how you feel and talk to them about what they can do when they see
bullying or hear hate speech at school.
Call out hate speech when you hear it—if it incites hatred or violence against
a specified group, call it out: in your living room, at work, with friends, in
public. It is most important that you do this among folks who may not know a
Muslim.
Set up a “learn about Islam” forum at your book club, school, congregation,
dinner club. Call your state CAIR organization, interfaith group or local
mosque and see if there is someone who has speaking experience and could come
and answer questions about Islam and American Muslims for your group. They
won’t be offended. They will want the opportunity to do something to dispel the
nastiness.
Write Op Eds and articles saying how deplorable the anti-Muslim rhetoric has
gotten and voice your support for Muslim Americans in whatever way you can.
Call your state and local representatives, let them know that you are concerned
about hate speech against your Muslim friends and neighbors in politics and the
media, that it is unacceptable and you want them to call it out whenever they
hear it, on your behalf.
Out yourself as someone who won’t stand for Islamophobia, or will stand with
Muslims—there is an awful lot of hate filling the airways, and there are an
awful lot of people with access to the media and/or authority stirring the pot
about Muslims. Please help fill that space with support instead. Post, write,
use your profile picture or blog to voice your support.
Ask me anything. Really. Engage the Muslims in your life. Make sure you really
feel comfortable standing for and with your Muslim friends, neighbors,
coworkers.
I can tell you that in addition to the very real threat to their civil and
human rights that Muslims are facing, we are dealing with a tremendous amount
of anxiety. While we, many of us, rely on our faith to stay strong, we are
human. This is not an easy time. What you do will mean everything to the Muslim
Americans around you. Thank you for reading and bless you in your efforts.
Share freely.
