(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - It has nearly been 10 years since the incident that has left the entire World fearing Muslims. A doubt has been left in minds of the majority about Muslims and the religion of Islam in general. Many can look into conspiracy theories and strategies thus, the damage has been done and unfortunately this has affected Muslims in the Western world.
In a time like this it is natural to seek guidance and ironically instead of doubting Islam, Muslims in Western countries have strengthened their faith.
Since the attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York, USA on September the 11th, 2001, Muslims have come under a great level of scrutiny and unfortunately due to the consequences of the 9/11 have been harassed for a simple reason – Being Muslim.
Entering the United States for a Muslim can be very stressful; there are numerous cases of interrogation at US airports and security question that can take hours upon hours to answer. Whether you are the famous Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan who was questioned for many hours at a US airport even though he was filming in the Unites States or a regular jo public, if your name fits a profile you shall be interrogated.
One man who has now settled in the US and also felt the effects is World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Lighweight Champion Amir Khan. Born in Bolton, England Khan is a Muslim of Pakistani descent and is regularly in and out of the USA mostly back and forth from England where his family lives. Being a boxing icon and a world champion Khan still has faced additional scrutiny in US airports. Only as recent as last month when Khan was returning to the US from London to begin preparations for his big fight on the 23rd of July against Zab Judah he was detained for additional questioning for 2 hours before being able to proceed. He also admitted that it has been this way for the last four or five trips to the USA.
Amir Khan says he totally understand the reasons for these additional questioning amid the threat of global terrorism, thus also states that Americans should have no reason to fear most Muslims. He now wants to become an example for Muslims and to help eliminate the misunderstanding that exists heavily between Americans and Muslims.
“I think I have the power to make an impact,” Khan said. “Some people have the wrong perception about Muslims and not all Muslims are terrorists. The truth is it’s a very, very small percentage. I think I am a guy who could be unite and bring together people of all these races and religions.
I sell out arenas in England and when I look around at the crowd, there are people of all colours and races in the arena, and they are rooting for me. Sport can be used as a positive in this kind of situation to transcend these kinds of barriers and to promote a deeper, more sincere understanding.
I am the only Muslim Pakistani world champion out there, I know that brings a certain amount of attention to me and I want to be able to use that exposure to try to change any negative perceptions Americans may have about Muslims. I want to be a positive example.”
Life in the US and in other Western countries has changed dramatically for Muslims after 9/11, even if you are a World Champion; Muslim still feel the effects.
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