Letter: Please don’t prejudge group

Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001 | 7:45 a.m.

The Muslim Student Association at UNLV condemns the apparent terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11 and offers condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and well wishes for the injured.

In the first few days following the 1995 attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Muslims reported more than 200 incidents of harassment, threats and actual violence. This is a concern once again for the Muslim community because of the negative stereotypes that exist, mostly due to the lack of knowledge about Islam and also negative media portrayal in movies such as "Executive Decision" in 1996 and "The Siege" in 1998.

It is now time to stop prejudging people of certain religious backgrounds and ethnicities. We need to realize that Muslims are just as American as apple pie and are an essential component to this melting pot we call America.

At this moment of confusion, uncertainty and naturally highly charged emotions, we earnestly appeal to the media not to rush to judgment, as was done in the wake of the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City. Let the response of our nation be mature and thoughtful. This is a moment of prayer and unity, not of hasty reaction.

USMAN MALIK