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2014: Another hard & difficult year for American Muslims - 2
Bank accounts of Muslims closed
While the Muslims remain on security radar in the post-9/11 America dozens of Muslim bank accounts were closed without any explanation in several US states. None of these individuals have been charged with any crimes or engaged in any transaction that violates US law. The only thing these individuals have in common is that they have Muslim names. The Los Angeles Times reported in September, “From Washington state to Florida, surprising letters from banks have turned up in the mailboxes of at least a dozen people. The message in each case: Your bank account is being closed. What frustrates the recipients is not only that they are all of Middle Eastern descent — leading them to suspect discrimination — but that the banks refused to provide the reason for kicking them out.”
In November, the Council on American-Islamic Relations of the Greater Los Angeles office (CAIR-LA) reported that it has been receiving complaints from customers of Bank of America who have been receiving a letter package requesting customers to provide proof of current residence or information about the source of their assets. These letters have targeted Muslims and individuals from U.S sanctioned countries, such as, Syria and Iran. Bank of America claims it is implementing a program designed to comply with United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions. In doing so, customers are threatened with the inability to use debit cards to make purchases and restrictions on all accounts for noncompliance. Similarly, Chase has taken a more aggressive approach. Customers have reported having their bank accounts closed without warning or have been unable to donate to charitable organizations affiliated with the Muslim community.
The American Muslim community was shocked in November at the inclusion of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in the terror list of the United Arab Emirates, a US-client Sheikhdom. Another American Muslim group included in the UAE terror list is the Muslim American Society (MAS). Why the American Muslims are shocked? Despite best efforts by the anti-Islam and anti-Muslim organizations and individuals to dislodge the CAIR from its position as the only Muslim voice which is trying to defend and preserve the Muslim civil rights in the post-9/11 America.
Relating all the hate attacks, discrimination, mosque vandalism, and other negative incidences related to the American Muslims are beyond the scope of this article.
On the positive side.
Everything was not black and grey for the Muslim community in America. Since 9/11 tragedy, the American Muslims have embarked on an intensive outreach drive to build bridges and to reach other ethnic and faith communities. Here are few examples:
Washington National Cathedral on November 14 hosted Friday prayer. It was the first time that the National Cathedral hosted a Friday prayer although the church has previously held Muslim prayers. “This prayer marks an historic moment, this prayer symbolizes a grand hope for our community. As we get to know each other … more bridges are built … and there’s less room for hate and prejudice to come between us,” said Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell, cathedral director.
After a long struggle, on December 17, Maryland's Frederick County Public Schools Board of Education adopted a 2015-2016 calendar that includes the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) and commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God's command. CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Zainab Chaudry said: "This symbolic move indicates that the board supports treating Muslim students equally and promotes inclusivity in the school system."
On December 11, the New Castle (N.Y.) Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special permit for the Upper Westchester Muslim Society's proposed mosque. The approval ends what has been an eight-year saga for the society's application before the board. It was submitted in 2006 and underwent a lengthy environmental review.
City officials in an Atlanta suburb on December 15 voted to allow Muslim residents to open a mosque in a local shopping center, reversing, under threat of a lawsuit, a decision made two weeks earlier. The City Council of Kennesaw, a community of 30,000 residents 30 miles northwest of Atlanta, voted unanimously to allow the prayer center. On Dec. 1, the council voted 4-1 to deny an application for the mosque, saying that zoning regulations did not allow a place of worship in that particular shopping center.
The Muslim community was delighted in June when the US District Judge Anthony J. Trenga dismissed the indictment against Dr. Al-Arian who has been targeted by the government for his political activity for more than a decade. A 2005 trial in Florida ended in acquittals on eight counts and a hung jury on nine other counts, with 10 of 12 jurors voting to acquit Dr. Al-Arian of all counts. To avoid a threatened re-trial, Al-Arian pleaded guilty to one count, which also allowed for his deportation. But before his deportation, Al-Arian was served with a subpoena calling him before a grand jury to testify about Muslim organizations in Virginia. Al-Arian said the subpoena violated his plea deal and constitutional rights.
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America
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