New study shows Muslim community’s anti-terrorism efforts
Buried among the flood of terrorism news that’s come out over the last couple of days is a new study showing that American Muslims have effectively worked to stop radicalization in their communities.
The researchers, from Duke University and the University of North Carolina, found that
…it is the Muslim-American communities themselves who play a large role in keeping the number of radicalized members low through their own practices…Leaders and Muslim-American organizations denounce violent acts, for instance, in messages that have weight within communities.
In addition, such communities often self-police — confronting those who express radical ideology or support for terrorism and communicating concerns about radical individuals to authorities. Some Muslim-Americans have adopted programs for youth to help identify those who react inappropriately to controversial issues so they can undergo counseling and education, the researchers said.
The study also found that “since 9/11, there has been increased tension among Muslim-Americans about their acceptance in mainstream American society,” and that they perceive anti-Muslim bias in the media and discrimination in security and counterterrorism initiatives.
When demagogues openly call for racial profiling, it’s important to remember not only that such measures violate American principles of due process, but also that they single out communities that are already doing a great deal to stop terrorism and facing religion-based discrimination and hostility. It isn’t right, and it isn’t smart.