Muslims Condemn Acts, Fear Reprisals

D.C. Area Islamic Groups Urged to Take Precautions

Major American Muslim organizations yesterday forcefully condemned the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and called on their communities to donate blood, medical aid and other assistance for the victims. But they also voiced fears of a backlash if the perpetrators turn out to be Muslim, and urged Islamic institutions to take extra precautions.

"This is a deplorable attack beyond imagination, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with all Americans in bringing the perpetrators to justice," said Salam Al Marayati, of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. "We offer our condolences and any other kind of resources we can to support the victims of these attacks."

Mindful of how Muslims were harassed after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, many Washington area Muslims quickly assumed a low profile. Female university students who wear hijab, the Islamic head scarves, decided not to attend classes. Islamic schools closed early, and worshipers at the District's Islamic Center were racked with worry.

"We don't want this to be 1995 all over again," said Mohammed Jadir, 27, a retired soccer player from Morocco. "Everybody's waiting for what the president will say. We have to reserve judgment. This is not something that can be guessed."

"This is a terrible time, not only for Muslims but for all believing people who believe in coexistence," said Mohamad Yusuff, a D.C. government employee and editor of the newsletter Voice of Islam, which is printed in Silver Spring. "No true Muslim would do anything like this. This is an attack on American sovereignty in my view [that] can only be rivaled by the attack on Pearl Harbor."

Only hours after the initial attacks, hate e-mail began arriving at Muslim organizations, and some Washington area Muslims were harassed. As Layla Al Khateeb, 31, and a male colleague left the Iraq Foundation in Washington, a man confronted her friend and asked where he was from. When he replied that he was from Iraq, Khateeb recalled, the man said, "Good, why don't you guys drop another bomb on us?"

John Voll, professor of Islamic history at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, said three students e-mailed him that they could not attend his midday class because they feared going out in their head scarves. "They are pretty distraught because they think they're going to get blamed for it," Voll said.

Al Huda School in Silver Spring and Washington Islamic Academy in Springfield sent students home early as a precaution, their principals said. "I'm very sad. I hope it has nothing to do with Arabs and Muslims," said Jordanian-born Saleh Saleh, 45, principal of the academy. "I send my condolences to the families of those who've suffered in this terrible incident."

Some Muslims stressed that they were as hurt and bewildered as other Americans. "We're just as horrified by this, just as scared that we may be victims, as anyone else," said Kamal Nawash, a Muslim lawyer in Virginia and a candidate in upcoming elections for the Virginia House of Delegates.

"If one Christian bigot commits a crime, that doesn't make all Christians criminals," said Mahdi Bray, a Virginia resident and president of the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations. "Just the fact that one Muslim group may have committed this criminal act doesn't mean all Muslims are supportive."

The District-based Council on American-Islamic Relations urged Muslim medical professionals and relief agencies to offer help to hospitals and relief workers. The Islamic-American Zakat Foundation in Bethesda and American Muslim Foundation in Alexandria announced blood drives.

The council -- like some other Muslim groups -- also urged Muslims who wear Islamic attire to stay "out of public areas for the immediate future." It also suggested that community leaders ask for additional police patrols near mosques, report suspicious packages to police and take down descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.

At the Islamic Center, the manager, who asked not to be named, said that if the perpetrators are Muslim, the Islamic community needs to condemn their acts. "There is a responsibility by Muslims to say terrorism is wrong," he said. "It's very simple."