2016 has been a difficult year to be Muslim in America. Politicians employed and embraced Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, and incidents of hate exploded across the country after election day. According to the FBI, 2015 saw a 67% increase in hate crimes against Muslims, the worst year on record since 2001, and by the time it’s over, 2016 is expected to be worse.
“The overwhelming response, I think for most of us, is shock, but also a palpable kind of hurt and fear,” said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Director of Outreach at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, one of the largest mosques in northern Virginia. “The unfortunate reality is that people tend to be emboldened if their leaders say something or do something.”
But many members of Dar Al Hijrah also saw the election of Donald Trump as a clarion call.
“Now more than ever, it’s expected that Muslims be vigilant in terms of being vocal for their rights and their responsibilities, challenging people who may be trying to spread the negative narrative about Muslims,” said Adburahman Hassan.
For Hanan Seid, the urge to speak up isn’t new, but the election made it stronger.
“The feeling of always knowing to walk into a room and [being] prepared to defend yourself, that feeling has always been there,” said Hanan. “Now we know what we’re about to lose…We’re about to lose the freedom of being here because we’re afraid to speak out.”
“The way I feel about the next four years is that I’m ready for it. Bring it on.”
Transcript:
HANAN: I’m an immigrant, African American female and I am a Muslim living in America. That’s like magical. That’s why I defend myself and that’s why I would like to see the next generations and the generations after that to be not afraid of being unapologetic and being who they are 100 percent.
TEXT: 2015 was the most dangerous year to be Muslim in America since 2001.
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: Donald J Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.
I think Islam hates us.
It’s like they’re protecting each other but they’re really doing very bad damage.
TEXT: 2016 is expected to be worse.
But members of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center aren’t backing down.
ABDURAHMAN: Donald trump’s rhetoric has basically given people a reason or even somewhat I would say legitimacy to actually justify their hatred towards muslims.
TAQWA: People call in give us death threats. and we’ve had someone throw like a fake bomb.
ISMAEL: You’re not only scared about who you are, but who you believe in.
HANAN:It’s been there for quite a long time, the only reason it hasn’t been vocalized it hasn’t been talked about as much is because we don’t tally it, And now people are not afraid to record it.
ISMAEL: I’m trying to help my mosque, create Facebook for them. We can use this technology to empower, to raise our voice and raise our agenda.
HANAN: We defend each other if that makes any sense. So we sit there and we kind of talk about the elections, be open about it. Talk about it to younger generations to empower them to be ready for this Trump society.
TAQWA: If we don’t stand together and defend ourselves and stand up for ourselves, who’s going to do it? Can we take this frustration and turn it into something good?
HANAN: Well a lot of people think that the only way we can really defend ourselves and fight this Trump society is by empowering only the Muslim community, right? When in reality if we empowered ourselves and other religions, other people together. That way we have a bigger army, we have a bigger voice.
ABDURAHMAN: The better that you have these coalitions working together, the more progress I think can be done in terms of working towards uniting the country
TAQWA: I believe that it’s like a test for us, of how we stand by our faith and like how we help others.
ISMAEL: For me, for my Muslim community, it’s time for us basically to wake up, it’s time for us to reach out non-Muslim people outside so we can have a partner who works with us, who can fight the good fight with us.
HANAN: Honestly I have been preparing for moments like this since, like I said before. I’m ready for it. Bring it on.