Week 5

Arabs are an Ethnic group, and Muslims are a religious group. Islam is the Faith and a Muslim is a believer of that religion. The name Arab Americans refers to the immigrants and their descendants from the countries that now comprise the Arab world. Not all people living in these countries are necessarily, some Arab Americans may have emigrated from non-Arab countries where their families have lived for generations. The Arabic language is the single most-unifying force among Arabs, as the language has evolved over the centuries people in different parts of the Arab world speak with a different dialect using their own choices of vocabulary and pronunciation. In countries that are predominantly Muslim, the separation of religion and the state is not considered necessary or even desirable. In fact, governments in Muslim countries often reinforce Islamic practices through their laws. Muslims do vary in their interpretation of several traditions, some of which such as the requirement for women to wear face veils are disputed. Like other religious systems, certain rituals characterize Islam. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, which marks the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad; pray to Allah facing Mecca five times a day; make charitable donations; and say, where possible, Friday after noon prayers within their community.

In what ways do prejudice and discrimination manifest themselves with respect to Muslim and Arab Americans? In form and magnitude, they are much like what is shown toward other subordinate groups. Regrettably, the situation appears to have gone beyond Orientalism in which one sees people as “the other” and somewhat frightening. What makes current expressions of hostility strikingly different are that the events of the 21st century have been given a decidedly patriotic fervor; that is, for many who overtly express their anti-Muslim or anti-Arab feeling, they are also being pro-American. Evidence of hate crimes and harassment toward...