Many Muslims in the United States point to September 11, 2001, when the day of their relationship with the country changed.
Islamophobia had always existed, but the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia seemed to make it worse, much worse.
Muslims from all walks of life – citizens, immigrants and refugees – faced a backlash. Many were harassed and harassed, some physically assaulted and even murdered. Loaded rhetoric, successive wars and attacks further inflamed the situation.
Feeling convicted of crimes they did not commit, some Muslims changed their name and clothing to hide their identity, while others clung even more to their faith. Some became advocates for the community.
All Muslims in America have a story to tell. Here is one.
Ruwa Romman, 28, is an organizer of the American Palestinian community and policy analyst living in Duluth, Georgia.
When the terrorists attacked, he was 8 years old and had just immigrated to the United States with his parents. But the dream he had of building a new life in the United States quickly became a nightmare.
“I remember the hallways and the day seemed darker even though I remember it was sunny outside,” Romman told CNN about his experience at school that day. “I don’t think I fully understood what was going on, as I barely spoke English.”
Still, she remembers the long list of insults thrown at her when she was little: “terrorist” and “sand n **** r.” Some even asked if she was related to Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda brain behind the attacks.
Romman says he can’t remember a single day in elementary school when the bullying stopped. The institute was not much better, with a teacher taking her out of class to ask her if her family belonged to a terrorist group.
Outside of school, a close friend’s family banned her from home because she was Muslim and “dangerous,” she said. Trips to the airport require numerous suitcase checks, sometimes three times during a single trip.
Harassment and harassment put Romman on a path to educating and defending his community, even at an early age.
“I felt that sense of duty to never respond to all the terrible comments they made to me and instead try to educate people,” Romman said. “Looking back at my younger self, I’m very angry and sad for her. I didn’t have to do any of that. I was a kid trying to grow and discover my life. Becoming an ambassador for a billion people. all over the world “.
In 2016, Romman joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the leading Muslim civil rights and civil rights organization, as communications director. She has since become a community organizer, policy analyst and consultant working on related issues.
Romman says defending Muslims in the United States and the problems they face is daunting, but he sees hope in every little victory.
“We will remain politically committed and without apologies.” Romman said. “Muslims are no longer willing to take on this burden. None of us committed it on 9/11. Why should we carry this burden?”
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