Keith Ellison is the first Muslim elected to congress where he currently represents Minnesota’s fifth congressional district. In this op-ed for the Washington Post, he writes about the current state of Muslims in America. Here are a few snippets:
“The political landscape has changed dramatically for America’s Muslim community — for better and worse. Increased Muslim visibility and engagement in the community are occurring at the same time as an increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes, and this is not a coincidence: A recent study by the Bridge Initiative found that anti-Muslim crimes have increased during this election season, with 2015 having the most anti-Muslim violence and vandalism of any year since 9/11.”
But, he writes, on the positive side, “President Obama just nominated America’s first Muslim federal judge, Abid Qureshi. Ibtihaj Muhammad just won an Olympic bronze medal in fencing – hijab and all. Seven Muslims addressed the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, including the electrifying presentation of Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan. Thirty-three-year-old Ilhan Omar, who lived in a Somali refugee camp from the ages of 8 to 12, is poised to be elected to the Minnesota state legislature on a decidedly progressive platform. And today’s Muslim community is voting, running for office, opening businesses and starting health clinics like never before.”
Reflecting on the horror of the 9-11 attacks, Rep Elision reminds us that “The best way to overcome darkness is with light. And despite so much negativity, people are responding. During Ramadan in June, many of my neighbors in the Twin Cities, most of whom were not Muslim, posted yard signs saying, ‘To our Muslim neighbors, blessed Ramadan.’”
