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Muslims Ask for Joint Committee to Oversee U.S. Investigation
WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (IslamOnline) - Muslims around the world have sent several letters to IslamOnline calling for the formation of an international committee, which would include Arab representatives, to oversee the investigation process of the attacks on the Word Trade Center and Pentagon in the U.S.
From Illinois, Iman Mohammad asked: "Why don't the Arab Governments and the Arab league request the United Nations to form a committee with international legitimacy to over see the investigation, especially that thousands of Arab Americans and Muslims were among those killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center."
Another reader, Assif Bayat, said in an email that in previous incidents the United States tried to hurl accusations at Arab and Muslim personalities, such as during the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, after which U.S. authorities found out that Timothy McVeigh, an extremist from an American militia, was the culprit.
"The culprit accused the American government of being unfair to the citizens. This means that Muslims should take part in the investigations because the American justice is fallible," he added.
The requests for supervising the American investigation come after increased animosity expressed against Muslims and Arabs residing in the U.S., especially as U.S. media is actively propagating the theory that the al-Qaeda group, headed by Saudi-born dissident Osama Bin Ladin, is behind the attacks.
"I may never be able to wear the hijab [veil] now, or to reveal myself as a Muslim until it is clear who was behind those foolish attacks. Everyone in Washington blames Arabs and Muslims," said Amina Ahmad, 23, a student at the American University in Washington.
Another Muslim American, who did not want her name revealed, said: "The situation is getting worse. All I wish for is for the media and authorities to make sure who was behind the attacks before blaming Muslims."
An official in the Dar al-Hijra mosque in Falls Church, Virginia, said that Muslims here are living in fear and panic.
The number of Muslims who come to pray in the mosque has notably decreased, he said, adding that he has asked some members of the mosque to stand at the mosque entrances and in the parking lot to protect Muslims while they perform prayers.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced that they received several reports indicating there have been attacks on Muslim Americans and their organizations, especially mosques and Islamic stores.
A Muslim bookstore and a pharmacy owned by a Muslim was burned in the northern Virginia. Several mosques have also received threats, they said.
Several Arabic websites have received messages that condemn Arabs and Muslims. Examples of such messages include: "The time has come for Muslim terrorism to pay back: we will wipe out 10 Muslims for every single American"; "After this disaster, I hate Palestinians and I do not want peace. I will support Israel with all the money I have"; "Islam is the religion of hatred and evil. You have started the war, so be prepared."
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