Kentuckians joined the rest of the nation and the world last weekend in marking the15th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. There were interfaith services, a memorial dedication, and a 9/11 stair climb.
Two Central Kentucky Muslims hold out hope for growing relationships in the next 15 years.
Dr. Nadia Rasheed is an anesthesiologist who was in an operating room when the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon occurred. She says a television was placed in a common area and all were horrified and scared.
While much in the way of dialogue has transpired since that tragic day, Rasheed says some attitudes are getting worse. “We say it’s a bad time for Muslims in America and at the same time it’s a very good time for Muslims in America because it is our time to shine to be known,” said Rasheed.
Two Central Kentucky Muslims Offer Their Thoughts about Attitudes Today
Rasheed says Central Kentucky Muslims are working, paying taxes, volunteering and getting involved in dialogue groups.
Dr. Jamil Farooqui says confusion and suspicion followed immediately after 9/11. He believes some of the political rhetoric today is like a return to attitudes found 15 years ago. “The majority of people, the colleagues I work with, the friends I have who are non-Muslim, they are not buying that at all. So, I don’t know how it is going to play out in (the) general election, I don’t know,” noted Farooqui.
Farooqui says it is the "open society" philosophy that has drawn many Muslims to the U.S.
Copyright 2016 WEKU
