A terror attack on Islam

With the simple interruption of my math class by Mr. Shell, the trigonometry teacher next door, the focus of my attention went from attempting to prepare for my human physiology test last period, to the panic in his voice as he informed the class of the terrorist events that had taken place in New York and Washington, D.C.
The rest of Sept. 11 proved to be a turbulent roller coaster ride of emotions as my reflections shifted from sorrow to fright and ultimately to anger.
The sadness was fueled by the thought of the innocent lives that had been taken by these disgusting actions, and the images of grieving loved ones attempting to locate friends and family. These episodes came as a shock to the entire country as everyone looked to the sky fearing they could fall victim to the next attack.
While following reports the entire evening, I began to see the news media's attention transform as well, as they began to point fingers and make accusations as to who would be held accountable for such a catastrophe.
It quickly appeared as though some Middle Eastern organization was to be held culpable for the assault. Reporters and analysts felt it was the acts of Islamic extremists who have long been infuriated by the United States.
Backlash: While these assumptions later proved to be somewhat valid, the lack of explanation by the news media created a backlash of rage at Arab-Americans and Muslims around the country.
This ignorance first presented itself to me by a comment made to me by a fellow student asking if I planned to ram an airplane into the school.
Though the comment was intended as a joke, and a poor one at that, the message was clear that many Americans had begun stereotyping all Muslims and Americans of Middle Eastern decent as terrorists.
Within days, Muslims were being attacked both verbally and physically by their fellow Americans. I found police having to stand guard outside my mosque in fear that it would be attacked. It was disturbing to think that in the most civilized country in the world, people were resorting to such primitive behavior.
Fortunately, living in Liberty, a school and a general community filled with diversity, I did not directly have to tolerate such conduct, but instead received support from friends who sought to comfort me in a time of great panic.
Hate mentality: Unfortunately such was not the case in many of the Islamic chat rooms I often visit. People identifying themselves as "BOMBtheARABS" and "CamelriderAssassin" made disturbing comments denouncing my faith of Islam and making threats to eradicate my entire race.
By presenting myself in such chat rooms designated to Muslims, I left myself open to be bombarded with what seemed like endless hate mail, most of which I had no desire to read.
From speaking with such people I have learned that the cause of such prejudice is their failure to understand the religion of Islam, for it is poorly represented to this country.
The word Islam itself is derived from the Arabic word for peace. Those adhering to the religion realize that its teachings are based on yielding to Allah, self-control and the love and respect of all of Allah's creatures.
Those responsible for the attacks on America are denounced by Muslims and Muslim nations around the world as cowardly acts that defy the word of Allah.
Many people fail to realize that these terrorists do not depict Islam for what it truly is. Such institutions claim to fight in the name of Islam, but rather harm it by failing to define Muslims for what we, in fact, stand for.
Assault begins: With this I take a moment to reflect on what has happened. I look to my television beside me and see that we have begun our assault on Afghanistan. I see that President Bush is stressing that this is not a war on Arabs or Muslims, but solely an attack on the Taliban and terrorism.
This is our government informing the nation not to seek war with Arabs and Muslims, but rather to look to terrorism as the enemy.
It is clear to me now that the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were not just attacks on America, they were attacks on Islam and how it is depicted in the world.
XMureed, 17, is a senior at Liberty High School and a member of the honors program, Model United Nations and Liberty Political Action Committee.