A Muslim Community, Tarred Again

July 24th, 2012 by Guest Contributor

But our silence is eroding careers. Because in this outrage over Bachman’s comments, we miss an important fact: the smearing of Abedin and other Muslim policy professionals is working to raise a level of suspicion of Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians that echoes far outside the Republican right. When I showed up with a Pakistani-American woman to the Obama campaign office in Virginia in 2008, we were told that it was not a “good idea” for the two of us to go door-to-door for Obama. They suggested we stay back and work the phones instead.

I am not sure what advice to give young Muslims anymore. In 2009, I was working on the Hill when a few members of Congress called for a House investigation into whether Muslim interns on Capitol Hill were acting as spies for Muslim civil liberty groups. Names of Muslim interns and staff members were printed on blogs, often with doctored quotes and facts.

I remember sitting with a 20-year-old Pakistan American Muslim Congressional intern, Ali, in the Rayburn House Office Building café on a Friday afternoon. We had just returned from the Juma congregational prayers where we prayed in a basement room under the US Capitol dome—a remarkable testament to this country’s religious freedom.

“Is it worth it?” he asked. “Is it possible?”

“Of course,” I said. I echoed the advice given to me by Abedin and Khan. “Yes, it is worth it.”

And I still believe that. But, on some days, I no longer do.

**

Zahir Janmohamed is a fellow at the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto writing a book about the largest ghetto of Muslims in India, Juhapura. He previously served as the Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International and as a Senior Legislative Assistant in the House of Representatives.

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Posted in everyday racism, islamophobia, politics, race & representations, religion | 20 comments

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  • Lamia Kadir

    I have to remind myself often, as in this case, to remember advice from an intelligent guy I know (HY). Essentially, to never lose hope, no matter how bad things get. Thanks Zahir, heres to our idealistic days at Cal. In hopes I still have some, Lamia Kadir (Austin, TX)

  • Lamia Kadir

    I have to remind myself often, as in this case, to remember advice from an intelligent guy I know (HY). Essentially, to never lose hope, no matter how bad things get. Thanks Zahir, heres to our idealistic days at Cal. In hopes I still have some, Lamia Kadir (Austin, TX)

  • k.eli

    Sometimes I sit back and wonder what the hell has happened to this country. The hypocrisy of it all is astounding. Why should any Muslim person (or any minority for that matter) be held personally responsible for all the wrongs committed by others? We don’t make those demands of Christians and certainly not white people. The KKK, for all its murders, lynchings, and terrorist actions, still gets dismissed as not adhering to “true Christianity” by fellow Christians; however, when Muslims the world over say that groups like Al-Qaeda likewise don’t adhere to “true Islam” they’re immediately shouted down. But sadly this is what’s considered effective to many in government – appease the bigotries of the masses and thereby keep them in the dark about the real problems this country faces (like the economy and the increasingly oligarchical role of corporations in our government).

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  • http://sulayman.hadithuna.com Sulayman

    What a well-written article. I think you brought up an important point; Bachmann’s smear campaign will have some long-lasting effects on the community.

  • Oscar

    The struggle for equality is not an easy one; but it can not be abandoned. We must all press on

  • Meghan Ward

    Wonderful essay, Zahir. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.

  • Srivkalevy

    .my dad was also a doctor – raised in a Jewish orphanage. He hid his religious identity ,changed the family name,and i sensed something was terribly wrong. I converted to Judaism in 1974. Im now age 74. I am so sorry a Semetic sister or brother experienced thee same secrets borne from bigotry and shame. We can continue to make change. Salaam.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Donnasoccer Donna Sib

    As a white Muslim convert mother of two Arab American daughters, one with a Poli Sci degree currently working for a non-profit agency serving refugees, and another who is a junior co-majoring in Poli Sci and International Relations, hoping to work for the State Dept., this article gives me pause. It saddens me that anyone would face these challenges in organizations that one would think should be more open minded and educated about these issues. No one should have to compromise by downplaying their conviction in their personal belief system.

  • Anonymous

    I’m glad that the news coverage I’ve seen on this calls it out as a smear campaign to bolster the career of Bachman et al. They have pointed out that this connection is not really a connection at all. However, I really wish they would take the extra step and call it out for being a disgusting ploy that relies on people’s racist fears. Racism goes against American ideals. The problem isn’t with Muslims in politics, health care, education or any other part of American life. The problem is with people who use racism for their own gain.
    Thank you for this article and for speaking out when you can. We need more people like you. Please don’t give in.

  • Anonymous

    I’m glad that the news coverage I’ve seen on this calls it out as a smear campaign to bolster the career of Bachman et al. They have pointed out that this connection is not really a connection at all. However, I really wish they would take the extra step and call it out for being a disgusting ploy that relies on people’s racist fears. Racism goes against American ideals. The problem isn’t with Muslims in politics, health care, education or any other part of American life. The problem is with people who use racism for their own gain.
    Thank you for this article and for speaking out when you can. We need more people like you. Please don’t give in.

  • Zahir

    Many thanks to you all for your comments. As the author of this piece, I would like to change one small line. In the line that reads “to raise a level of suspicion of Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians,” I should have also included Iranians. My apologies for the omission and thanks to those who pointed out my mistake.

  • Magic Muhammad

    I’m an American Muslim intelligence officer in a big three letter agency and I’d like to commend Zahir on this article. I’ll add my voice and note that I’ve actually received more hurtful comments from my supposed liberal colleagues than from older conservatives. This may be due to generational differences, but it bothers me to no end that self-described Obama fans have no problem calling me a terrorist jokingly (despite my work in decimating terrorist groups). The point is that even while someone like Bachmann is openly trying to thwart any advancement by Muslims into the policy world, there remains a latent undercurrent of racism among those who are supposed to be above it all.

  • Shaheda shahab

    Thanks Zahir for your bold article. Those who have not gone through these sufferings never understand the pain.

  • anyc

    thoughtful remarks and intriguing bio.

  • Anonymous

    White supremacy in this country has always relied on demonizing most americans as being somehow foreign and “unamerican”. Its a scare tactic to reduce diversity in government and we can’t stand for it.

  • anonymous

    thanks zahir for saying what so many of us have felt!

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