20 years after 9/11, metro Detroit Muslims tired of apologizing, being viewed differently

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(Detroit Free Press) On 9/11, life changed for Americans.

Some of us lost friends, colleagues or family in the attacks. Those painful losses can never be forgotten. And all of us lost something: the sense of safety and security that Americans had taken for granted. That, of course, is the intent of terrorism: to replace safety with fear.

Within minutes, life had changed for American Muslims. The 9/11 hijackers were members of the militant group al-Qaida, and for some, that was damning evidence — cause to view Muslim Americans with fear and suspicion. In metro Detroit, home to the nation’s largest Muslim community, familiarity sometimes brought comfort, from friends and neighbors quick to reassert the bonds of community. And sometimes, it made American Muslims a target. The decades that followed have held profiling, unfair immigration policy, threats, targeting, harassment. But they’ve also held community, progress, hope.

We asked Muslim Americans in metro Detroit to reflect on the last 20 years, to tell us how their lives have changed.

We heard remarkable stories. We’re telling these stories today with words and photos, and in the upcoming installment of our new weekly podcast "On the Line," out Friday. .........(more)

https://www.freep.com/in-depth/news/local/michigan/2021/09/09/9-11-20th-anniversary-muslims-detroit-michigan/5654741001/