(Muslim Civil Rights Center vice-chair, Seema Iman
VOA Photo - M. Leland)
The Muslim Civil Rights Center in Chicago says there have been almost 90 reported hate crimes against Muslims and Arab-Americans in the state of Illinois since September 11. But it also says there have been many more unreported incidents of discrimination and harassment.
The center's vice-chair, Seema Iman, has firsthand knowledge of such abuse.
"Sitting in my car, waiting for something and a man, a tough burly guy, walked to my car,
VOA Photo - M. Leland)
The Muslim Civil Rights Center in Chicago says there have been almost 90 reported hate crimes against Muslims and Arab-Americans in the state of Illinois since September 11. But it also says there have been many more unreported incidents of discrimination and harassment.
The center's vice-chair, Seema Iman, has firsthand knowledge of such abuse.
"Sitting in my car, waiting for something and a man, a tough burly guy, walked to my car,
came near me, spat at me, turned from me, swearing at me and all I could say is he does not know me, but he has been misinformed and somehow relates me to a crime," she said.
The Muslims Civil Rights Center has joined with several other Chicago-area human rights and ethnic groups to create a year-long campaign called the "LINC Project."
It hopes to shed light on the isolation felt by many Muslims and Arab-Americans in the area, and to promote collaboration and understanding with Chicago's other ethnic communities.
The Muslims Civil Rights Center has joined with several other Chicago-area human rights and ethnic groups to create a year-long campaign called the "LINC Project."
It hopes to shed light on the isolation felt by many Muslims and Arab-Americans in the area, and to promote collaboration and understanding with Chicago's other ethnic communities.