Child of Muslim Immigrants: What Being Muslim in America Really Means

This story by a Muslim American tells about another group of our immigrants. It is very important, please read the whole article, go to the Diversity Inc. website. DP

By Aysha Hussain

Diversityinc.com: When I look back on my life as a Muslim American, I often wonder why most, if not all, of my experiences were positive.

As a child I was taught that "Islam" means peace and that in order to be a Muslim, you are expected to embrace people from all walks of life, regardless of their color or creed. This foundation was not something I learned on my own, or something that was instilled by a well-integrated American Muslim. Everything I know about Islam today was given to me from two immigrants from Southeast Asia—my parents, who after more than 25 years of living in the United States are still strong in their faith and culture and are proud of being part of American society.

Yet 46 percent of Americans feel the United States allows too many immigrants to enter from Muslim countries, and the majority of Americans who feel this way are 40 or older, according to a new survey by Newsweek, the magazine's first poll on attitudes toward Muslim Americans.

The poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, interviewed 1,003 adults ages 18 and older. It found that 52 percent of Americans feel that U.S. Muslims—native-born (35 percent) and foreign-born (65 percent)—are more peaceful than Muslims living in other countries.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.