My former Paso High students wrote about Islamophobia in 2007. It’s still relevant | Opinion
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow has urged us to “never forget” the 9/11 terrorist attack in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s election as Mayor of New York City, along with graphic images of planes exploding into the twin towers.
For my part, I will never forget the courage of my students at Paso Robles High School, who in 2007 wrote a viewpoint published in The Tribune about the Islamophobia they experienced on a daily basis as Muslim Americans. The students had formed an Islamic student club, sponsored panel discussions and hosted public dinners to promote interfaith dialogue.
Here are excerpts:
“It is hard to ignore the growing fear and mistrust directed at Muslims in America. We read about it in The Tribune’s letters to the editor and front-page articles. We have decided that it is time to speak out. We feel there is an undercurrent of misunderstanding toward Islam in America.
“The fearful attitudes toward America’s Muslims remind us of our nation’s previous moments of xenophobia (WWII internment camps and McCarthyism come to mind). We believe that all Americans — no matter our race or creed — can do our part to counteract this growing “Islamophobia” by combating all forms of bigotry and promoting greater understanding and tolerance toward all of America’s diverse religious minorities. Otherwise, the cycle of fear and intolerance will continue into the future.
“The vast majority of American Muslims are contributing citizens — doctors, engineers, teachers, judges and businessmen. They are as shocked and repulsed by terrorism as any other American. In the end, Islam and the West share a rich history and common belief in justice, equality and compassion. Islam, like Christianity, is a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness. Extremists will seek to exaggerate our differences, instill fear and sow misunderstanding.
“We can and must bridge our differences through mutual understanding and dialogue. Our common future depends on it.”
Thanks to those students, Daniah Khan, Zara Khan, Yasmine Hasib, Adam Hasib, Ahmed ElSayed and Amir Andrade for their eloquent and wise words, which, unfortunately, remain as relevant today as when they were written nearly 20 years ago.
Geoffrey Land is a retired Paso Robles High School teacher. He was named SLO County Teacher of the Year 2022.