jennifer bryan
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a result of the heightened investigations in Jersey City, local Muslims have had to contend with
the fear that at any point the FBI or local police could invade their homes, question and humiliate
their families, and seize their belongings. An American Muslim woman I interviewed, who was
married to a Palestinian Muslim man and lived in an apartment building composed of nearly all
Arab families, told me that the FBI came to her apartment three times, showing her photos of
Arab men and asking if any looked familiar. On the first occasion, she and her husband
examined the photos and answered the questions as best as they could, but were unable to offer
any information.
The second time, the FBI came back when the woman was alone. This time the officers
attempted to measure her allegiance to America, to Islam and to her Palestinian husband—as if
they were mutually exclusive. They asked repeatedly what she thought of the World Trade
Center attack, Osama bin Laden, what she did on the days prior to and after 9/11, and whether
her husband had any ties with Palestinians or “political” Muslims. Over and over she answered
their questions, trying to reassure them that although she and her husband sympathized with the
plight of Palestinians, they despised Osama bin Laden and were “angry as hell” about what the
terrorists did. As proof, she pulled out a red, white and blue “We Will Not Forget” t-shirt and
matching button, displaying them proudly. The FBI officers were not persuaded by this
woman’s answers; they continued to ask: “Are you sure you have never seen any of these
men…at any point in time? Are you sure your husband has not seen any of them? Remember
what happened on September 11
th
.” Recalling how aggravated she had felt by this incessant
questioning, this woman told me:
Now I go on Kennedy Boulevard everyday. Do you know how many Arab men I
see? You try it. There are thousands in Jersey City! Thousands just on Journal
Square alone. How am I supposed to know if I saw any of these men? I don’t
know them any more than you do. And I’m a Muslim woman. I don’t make eye
contact. I don’t even look at men.
She was not only angry at the constant questioning by the FBI, but also at being put in a position
where Islam and her husband were presumed to be against national and local security interests.
She told me:
If my husband knew anything about 9/11, he would tell the FBI in a heartbeat.
That is the responsibility of every good Muslim. I don’t know when they are
going to learn that Muslims are not the enemy. Muslims died in those burning
towers just like everyone else. And we’re mad, just like everyone else.
Convention