Muslim immigrant numbers rise
By Lauren Searson, staff writer
Posted on September 14, 2006

Despite the decline in the number of immigrants from Muslim countries after Sept. 11, that statistic has rapidly increased within the past year.

The New York Times reported that according to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 96,000 people from Muslim countries became legal permanent U.S. residents in 2005. This is the highest annual number during the past 20 years. Of those people, more than 40,000 were admitted last year, which was the highest in the years since the Sept. 11 attacks.

For the past 40 years, Muslims have immigrated to the United States to find peaceful lives and be part of a powerful country, said Kakahama Askary, professor of philosophy and religion. 

“The image in the mind of Muslims as to why they are in the U.S. is based on the democracy and freedom,” Askary said. 

The ongoing war in the Middle East, according to Askary, has only worsened in the past 20 years, and can be attributed to the recent increase in the Muslim population.

Education is strongly encouraged in the Islamic faith. According to The New York Times, there is a larger percentage of Muslim immigrants who have graduate degrees than other American residents, and their average salaries are about 20 percent higher.

Although these statistics indicate prosperous lives for Muslims in the United States, this changed after the terrorist attacks and Muslims became victims of mosque vandalization and other hate crimes. 

“The daily lives became difficult for Muslims,” Askary said. “For example, a man wearing a turban was killed in New York City and it turned out that he was not a Muslim.” 

Askary said this is an example of how people make judgments without knowing someone. Such problems are caused by ignorance, miscommunication and misinterpretation.

In response to those who target Muslims, Askary said, “You can fight the war on terror, but you cannot fight Islam or its teachings. People must differentiate between right and wrong.”

Senior Samier Mansur, president of the Muslim Student Association, said despite the extreme scrutiny Muslims received after Sept. 11, it opened the public’s eyes to the Islamic faith. After the events, there was more interaction between Americans, Muslim-Americans and Muslims of other nationalities.

Askary said there are about 200 to 250 Muslim families currently living in Harrisonburg. Mansur said the increase in Muslims will have a positive educational effect on Harrisonburg. 

“Very few in the region have an in-depth knowledge, let alone basic information on Islam,” Mansur said. “Greater involvement of Muslims in the communities can help bridge this informational gap and foster better understanding of the faith.”

This is important, he said, since there are still stereotypical and sometimes negative views about Islam, which only worsen with current political realities.

Due to the teachings of the Islamic faith, Askary said their good backgrounds will contribute to peace in the local community. Their beliefs in staying away from crime, drugs and alcohol, and the encouragement of children to pursue their education are a good sign for the future.

“With multiple races and religions, it is a more beautiful society,” Askary said.

Contributing to that society are the Mennonites, who have worked with Muslims on various issues and been engaged with the Muslim community through interfaith dialogue and geopolitical discussions. 

“It has been an overall partnership for the promotion of peace,” Mansur said.

A line from the Koran, that Askary said can be applied to different races and religions in the world today is, “Stand up for justice, even if it is against yourself.”