Watch Video

I was crying thru this in the end........we also do not go any place alone........thanks to God no one has come up to our face and said anything to us........we live in a place that we are accepted easily so we are lucky...........

I live in a very small rural town. I am afraid to wear hijab because it would elicit the same responses as some of those in the story. I would not only fear for myself, but for my son. I am sure he would be ridiculed. In all the time I lived here in this town I have only seen one women in a hijab, at Walmart. I spoke to her and she was from another town about 15 miles away. Hachemi also feels I would get more attention if I covered. So for now I dont wear hijab, although I would love to.

Meriem

WOW, I was in tears in the middle of that too! And then I was angry, and then I was happy to see someone do something... Thanks for sharing...

where is this freaking hick place? unbelievable. i'm glad people defended her.

around here we have plenty of muslims with hijabs and they are treated the same everywhere i've been with them around. no one staring at them, etc.

"just because you were born here doesn't make you american!" - wtf? what was our country founded on? HELLO!

Wow, that was moving, had me crying like a baby. I am proud that there are some Americans who will stand up for others. I was at the atlanta airport coming back from Egypt, when this poor old jordian women who could not speak english had ticket problems. The airlines were not doing much to help this women and when I came up to help, I noticed there are 5 people a head of me, all here to help this poor old lady out. I have never been prouder of my country than that minute, there was this women that stayed with this women through out the entire time, to make sure she got on the plane safetly to her family. There are good people out here, but unfortunalty there are still others who make it bad for everyone. I love these two quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King:

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.

I remember when 9/11 happened, my parents called me up and told me to take off my hijab. I said no. They said they did not want anything to happen to me. I said no. I knew that I could take the name calling and stares but they were worried about my safety. Out of the blue, a friend of mine told me he was going to be my chaperone. That first night of 9/11 he came and sat with me in my dorm room and checked on me throughout the night. He escorted me to class because, like he said "you have no choice. I don't need some idiot doing something to you that might send me to jail". He was one of many of my friends who just looked out after me. All white males from the middle of nowhere Kansas. I am probably the first and only Muslim woman they knew, and they were there to protect me.

Its so sad that there are people out there who would treat another human being in such a despicable manner. We are all people, it does not matter your race, religion, etc.

im sorry that it is like that for u........we live in a town that only has 600 people......we have no problems at all.....with the exception of the school........my younger sisters can not wear hijab to school........it is a policy no hats or head scarfs to cover the head but they do wear the shawl and Muslim clothing they had to get permission to dress differently for track meets as well........but the biggest problem is the lunch's and breakfast that is served at the school.......one day all three of the smaller girls sat in the lunch room not eating just looking down........the teacher asked them why u not eating so the eldest of the three said it has pork we can not eat it and when we told the lunch lady she told us it was sausage not pork......so they got the girls something else to eat..........they were told by the school to provide pork free meals for my smaller sisters and brother.......but it seems the people that provide the lunches either do not know what is pork or they do not care.......that is about the biggest issue that we have is the school meals.........my smaller brother has a great net work of friends he is last year of middle school......they were playing football on lunch hour one day.......a new kid walked up and said oh u a (the n word) u think ur cool
his friends stepped forward and said not only is he part black but he is Muslim u got something to say the kid backed down....they never tease him because he can not go to dances or eat what they eat they protect him like he is their brother and they are not Muslim...........in a way it is funny because he is almost six feet tall we call him the gentle giant he does not fight and is very respectful........i think alot of how we are accepted as Muslims is in how we carry ourself.......if we carry our way of dressing and acting with pride with out care of what someone might say to us it helps but it does not mean that we should not be careful because there are bad people out there that would hurt a Muslim person or any other person for what ever reason that they have in their minds......ok i have surpassed what i normally say in one days time time for me to stop lol

I babysit the 3 children of our Tunisian friend on Thur, friday and sat. nights. His wife is not Muslim, but the kids are. Only one is in school and she will come in from school starving cause all the main choices at lunch involved pork. I have told her parents they need to have a talk with the school about this or even pack a lunch. They are so busy with their resturaunt, they dont seem to care or have the time to talk with the school.

I babysit the 3 children of our Tunisian friend on Thur, friday and sat. nights. His wife is not Muslim, but the kids are. Only one is in school and she will come in from school starving cause all the main choices at lunch involved pork. I have told her parents they need to have a talk with the school about this or even pack a lunch. They are so busy with their resturaunt, they dont seem to care or have the time to talk with the school.
[/quote]



the parents have to get involved with the school so that the school is willing to do what is needed there is a law on the books well at least in our state and it might even be a federal law im not to sure on that one but it states that schools do have to provide meals for children that have religious or diet needs different from the normal junk they push on the kids........if its a decent school system they will get right on it........they do not have to provide them time to pray but they do have to provide food that is required...........

I'd love to know where this place is. What a nightmare!!! I can't even fathom that ever happening to me and I live in a small town. I think there are so many immigrants around me that no one even gives me a second glance, even though I was so fearful of wearing hijab in the beginning.

I would love to see someone act like that in my presence. I'd totally go off! We don't have a problem where we live. It's the backazzwards people....I can do without them

Yes!!! Even at my son's daycare, where they serve breakfast, lunch and snacks they have dietary rules for vegetarians, Muslims and children with allergies.

American are still upset of 9/11. I understand why American are afraid or angry!

Thank you for sharing this video with us. I have never witnessed anyone in my town or around me being rude to a muslim to their face. I will say that the other night I was on the phone speaking with my aunt about my fiance and she shocked me. She said well did you tell him that not everybody here will be nice to him? Then she proceeded to say I would tell him to not tell anybody where he is from or really not to speak to anybody because they will know his accent is middle eastern. I thought to myself, that is so ignorant of you to say. I told her well, let me just tell him to tape his mouth shut when we are out and about. I never expected a comment like that to come out of her mouth.

I'm proud to call those people who stood up to the man at the store Americans. That was very touching to see this. Thank you again for sharing.

what they can do for her when they're not able to speak her language? i'm glad you helped her out. btw, i don't expect anyone to use my language when i'm not in my own country i have to suck it if i get neglected. i don't tolerate people who try to ignored me in Philippines because i know they understand my dialect. at least i speak English with wrong grammar but i'm pretty sure, they do understand what i mean. i'm sure i get anything i want here in US with my bad English..

i don't get the connection.

Link to another video. This one is done as a comedic stunt in Australia I think. He does another one about Iraq and Muslims called "stereotypical dumb/stupid Americans" You can see the thumbnail in the video list next to this video . He goes around asking questions to the most backwards people he can find. lol

Meriem

Wow, that had me crying too... I know these "self-righteous Americans" exist, but I'm thankful I don't encounter them very much. You'd better believe I'd be speaking out and standing up for her rights if that happened in front of me!

Are they ignorant before 9/11 tragedy?

"pork spray" haha! retarded!

yes its always on my mind..... but so far from what i hear from everyone and my husband... its about which state or city u live in.... and there are nice and nasty everywhere in the world; im just hoping in my case i wd only meet the nice - ya rab lol- i ve prepared myself to be patient and try to keep my cool and let ppl say whatever they want to say ..just walk off and be the better person ... i hope this works lol

my husband is from Las Vegas it was soooo hard being a muslim there not becoz anyone was rude actually they barely got any negative reaction but ofcourse just saying Las vegas lol its easy to know y it was hard ... but im so proud of how he was raised n his brothers as well masha Allah his parents brought them up very polite respectable hard working men!! im sooo proud of my hubby ; will definitly raise my kids same way.

SJ- i know where they re coming from ....they have the right to be careful but not rude and hateful!

i watched the video, im so touched .. I just couldnt believe that guy/employee treated customers like that?WTF!

watch this http://youtube.com/watch?v=CC-ZxzYneOQ

I agree! I think those people really thought that was a real product.

The guy behind the counter and the Muslim girl were actors. They were filming the responses of the customers to the bad behavior.

Meriem

Pork.. I love beef and fish.. pork its kinda lil salam..

Oh geez!!! i was fooled then , lol.. But , anyway , it was nice acting then.

i wouldn't try to pretend just to hurt myself.

i was in san pedro, california with my child and husband. i met some filipinos there and we were talking and they were asking where i lived in philippines when i told them i came from Zamboanga,.. they said.. your daughter look muslims. i was wondering why they said it???? i don't even have a muslim blood in me... they came from Philippines too.

what is muslim blood?

most people think if you come from zamboanga, philippines, where there are plenty of muslims living there, they thought you are also a muslims. i have so many classmates during my college days they are chabacano from zamboanga, not muslims.
the 9/11 tragedy many americans become victim of the tragedy and the surviving relatives deep inside in their heart they have fear, anger until now. like also there in the philippines many families that become victims of the abbu sayaf the kidnapping or other terrorist act. they have fear, hatred in their heart against them.

Yes, and it is fueled by ignorance. Is everyone that is named Jeffrey (as in Dahmer) feared that they could be a cannibal?

most people think if you come from zamboanga, philippines, where there are plenty of muslims living there, they thought you are also a muslims. i have so many classmates during my college days they are chabacano from zamboanga, not muslims.
the 9/11 tragedy many americans become victim of the tragedy and the surviving relatives deep inside in their heart they have fear, anger until now. like also there in the philippines many families that become victims of the abbu sayaf the kidnapping or other terrorist act. they have fear, hatred in their heart against them.
[/quote]

you're right..

Ya its sad...actually you never know when you will be attacked for something YOU believe in...so sure of themselves, those hicks. Drop em off in any other part of the world and they'll be scrambling. I love America and this culture, and I don't think they represent true Americans. I cried with the girl who defended the Muslim woman whos friend was also muslim.

Good for people who can see through clear eyes and not through prejudice.

were all damn upset about 9/11. muslims and all...we are all upset...notice the muslims are the one getting all the sh*t so they are the ones most hurt by this in the aftermath
its good to be afraid and angry...but that WOMAN did nothing

morons

People keep saying that they are reacting to 9/11 and they are afraid because of what happened. The only reason I doubt that is because I was in NYC for 9/11. I was watching those buildings fall with my own eyes. I was barracaded by military police with huge guns and unable to even get to my home. All while 4 months pregnant. My cousins were running through the streets trying find a safe place to hide. The smell of burning flesh in the air. The island was shut down, no one in, no one out for hours. Finally, people walked home, miles and miles by foot across the bridges. Those people don't "hate" muslims. Those people who actually lived it are not the ones targeting and terrorizing muslims in this country. Yet these nobodies in nowhere america hate muslims. They did NOT live through the terror in that city! They did not experience the subsequent police state! They were not cut off from outside communications because the phone lines were down! Give me a bloody break! These people hate because hate is in THEIR blood. It's muslims now. It was blacks before. Japanese before that. They'll always find someone to hate. Just wait and see.

People keep saying that they are reacting to 9/11 and they are afraid because of what happened. The only reason I doubt that is because I was in NYC for 9/11. I was watching those buildings fall with my own eyes. I was barracaded by military police with huge guns and unable to even get to my home. All while 4 months pregnant. My cousins were running through the streets trying find a safe place to hide. The smell of burning flesh in the air. The island was shut down, no one in, no one out for hours. Finally, people walked home, miles and miles by foot across the bridges. Those people don't "hate" muslims. Those people who actually lived it are not the ones targeting and terrorizing muslims in this country. Yet these nobodies in nowhere america hate muslims. They did NOT live through the terror in that city! They did not experience the subsequent police state! They were not cut off from outside communications because the phone lines were down! Give me a bloody break! These people hate because hate is in THEIR blood. It's muslims now. It was blacks before. Japanese before that. They'll always find someone to hate. Just wait and see.
[/quote]




and that is the truth to be sure!!!!!! all 9-11 did was give the people a another group to target other than what they normally do.........

This video was so touching. I want to wear the hijab, but it isn't possible in my work and would cause many problems. I hate that muslims must live in fear of racism. Constantly I am trying to teach my family to see things in a different way. For some it is easy, for others it is not easy and that is just within my family.

This country was founded on the belief that everyone was created equally. People came here to get away from religious persecution. How quickly those ignorant people forget what people fought and died for to make this country. The best we can do is stand up for what we believe in. Others before faced persecution, but inshallah this difficult time for muslims will pass and Islam will be more accepted.

Our family doctor is a very nice lady from Pakistan......she also is very sad because she can not wear hijab to work.......and almost cries every time we go in because we have the freedom to wear hijab that she does not have..........

The ignorance is unbelievable ~ People say we are at war with Muslims and they are the enemy. "On this battlefield of life, our fears can become our worst enemy!" Henna

well there is a flip side also...go to a muslim country and wear revealing clothes and see how u r treated there. i can imagine it would be the same. so to be offended by the way americans think or how they react would be the same if u were the one doing some thing out of the norm in a muslim country.

take a bible to saudi arabia or even talk about christianity there and see what happens. so this kind of behavior is not just in the united states but in muslim counties as well.

the difference is muslims in the united states can go on the news and speak about the misjustice that happens to them and a christian in a muslim country cant. no one would listen to them telling how badly they were treated.

I am a white Hindu/Buddhist, vegetarian, don't drink, and wear salwar, so I can identify with a lot of these issues. For the average American sheeple post 9/11 'different'=Muslim=terrorist. I was one of those people walking over the Queensboro Bridge on 9/11. I would say the difference between NYers who actually lived through 9/11 and people in 'the heartland' who only saw it on TV is that NYers interact with Muslims every day. In my neighborhood I see tons of women wearing Islamic dress, even niqab. It is very diverse here. I still have had incidents(thankfully few) where people have mistaken me for a Muslima and tried to convert me to Christianity(I have learned to spot these people before they can go ahead with their spiel and give them a gentle verbal smackdown.) You can't pull that 'Christian nation' crap for long in NYC. There are ignorant idiots here though too, but luckily unlike other places they are not in the majority. There was even an incident a few months ago where a Jewish man defended a Muslim against attack on the subway -remember that?

I hear stories like this and it only reinforces my desire to stay in Queens, even if we are holding on with our fingernails and living a practically 3rd world lifestyle only with clean food and water(hey - it's a lot greener than living in some suburb and driving a car every day...). I am not going to change because some idiots think I am 'un-American', if you define that as white-bread bacon-eating TV zombie Walmart evangelical Christian then yes I am un-American and dayum proud of it - I had some idiot in my office who loves raving about a local steakhouse tell me being vegetarian is 'un-American', I think he was joking but WTF?? Luckily though I have never been in physical danger...

This is where you are wrong. My family has been in this country since the start of this country. I have a right to be muslim if I want to. The middle east countries you mentioned were not founded to have freedom of religion or equality. Are you saying that America should be just like them? That we should act just like the countries the forefathers fled from to create this country? That is the whole point of America is to allow diversity, freedom and equality. No one expects it in the middle east, but it should be expected here in America. Read the consitution or declaration of Independence and you will see that they were trying to make things better here. That people could come here to avoid persecution.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Donna,

Here is another quote for you from the Gettysburg Address just to help you out a little more about knowing what this country was founded on and meant to be:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this....."

Abraham Lincoln

no one is stopping u from being muslim now are they. no one told this girl she has no right to be muslim. yeah ur aloud to practice the religion u want in america but it doent mean someone has to like u because of it.

my husband is muslim so if u think i am trashing muslims ur wrong but he dont go around wanting a pity party cuz someone dont like his religion. people every day get discriminated against just not muslims.

i have been treated like crap becuase im over weight. ive had remarks made to me at a salad bar about "wow,,u sure are eating alot of salad, u know u can come back for seconds" remark made to me for no reason from a stranger. ive had newspaper articles sent to me about a new diet break thru and someone hand wrote on it...here donna this might help u from someone who didnt even have the nerve to put their return address on it.

yeah ive had hurtful things done to me...u just get over it. u dont go around wanting everyone to pity u. and i feel this is what the story is about...ohhhhh poor me. i sure can relate to what the girl was feeling but get over it. thats the way it is, whether we like it or not.

this is america...people do have the right to tell u whether they like u or not. thats their freedom of speech. they are aloud to tell u what they think of u, whether its good or not. thats what america is about. too much freedom...maybe.

Freedom of speech does have its limitations - eg. slander. And discrimination is NOT legal.

I think telling people to just "get over it" is pretty much encouraging complacency.

There is a difference between not "liking" someone and discriminating/targetting/oppressing them. No one has the right to oppress another person. It's not "okay" and to say so is ignorant. You don't have to like islam. You don't have to interact with muslims. But attacking them, refusing them service, threatening them is actively attempting to oppress their rights in this country. If the idea is that you suffer pain, so everyone else should to. That's wrong. No one should be treated that way, including you.

u should also ask urself...r u really free to practice ur religion in the united state? why cant muslim practice their right to have 4 wives in the united state? u say thats what the united states is all about...ur freedom to practice ur religion. i dont think so.

u know they did the same story about blacks in america. the same results. only no one defended the blacks. at least this girl had people defending her. maybe its the blacks everyone should be shedding tears over. they get treated far worse then the girl in this story.