"Muslims rally in New York, say we're also Americans," The Times of India, 11/20/11

"We are unapologetically Muslim and uncompromisingly American," this article quotes Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid as his opinion stands for the feelings of Muslim protesters in New York. This group of individuals feel that the police's involvement in their mosques and religious practices is unwarranted and goes against their rights as citizens. This type of Muslim-American interaction (despite the fact that it is also an American-American interaction) illustrates many frustrating realities. One problem is the so-called separation of church and state in America. Clearly, police infiltration goes against several aspects of this tenet of the American government. Yet it must be noted that after 9/11, laws were implemented that reduced the privacy of citizens for the sake of general U.S. security (Patriot Act). Given such, this New York police involvement becomes warranted. The problem here, in the eyes of these American Muslims, is the generalization/stereotypes projected onto them. I understand their religious frustration, yet they have to understand that they are the ones with the power to break the American prejudices against Islam. The tone of this article alludes that they might understand this, as they protest in a simple and powerful way. This partnership, of Peaceful Muslims with open-minded journalists, has the potential to change the hearts of many Americans.