Washington Post: Islam under scrutiny

Islam under scrutiny

Mussab Ali, 24, Jersey City

“I’m from Jersey City, a town where President Donald Trump said there were ‘thousands’ of Muslims celebrating on rooftops during 9/11. Not only could this not be further from the truth, but the damage my community suffered because of 9/11 and its aftermath cannot be understated. As a community, we went into hiding as our religion became a topic for debate. As a child, I remember being ridiculed because of my name and religion. Overnight, Islam went from an enigma to a threat. It was because of the rhetoric around 9/11 and its flames being stroked by Trump’s presidency that I decided to run for office in Jersey City, becoming the first Muslim elected official in its history. 9/11 changed my life forever. I just hope that when people remember this day and all the lives that were lost, they also recognize that the enemy is not Islam or Muslims, and that we are just as afraid of radical extremists as the rest of the world.”