New York Times recently interviewed gun-owning Muslim Americans in an article that evokes sturdy feelings. This is empowering because history shows how vital it is to have the Second Amendment. But it’s frustrating because it highlights the bigotry and prejudice that many Muslim Americans have to deal with on a daily basis. Still, the article does a great job of showing the similarities among American gun owners, regardless of religion. Most simply want protection for themselves and their loved ones.
The entire article is worth reading and much better than this post, but here are some key quotes from the article titled: “Make sure you don’t speak Arabic”: American Muslims and their guns.
Many Muslims, like 25-year-old Sheima Muhammad from Ohio, face discrimination at shooting ranges because of their shooting practice. Ms Muhammad purchased the firearm after a potentially threatening parking lot encounter that left her feeling “helpless”.
“I don’t look like a normal person who’s just trying to protect themselves,” said Ms. Muhammad, who emigrated from Turkey as a child with her family, who are Kurdish and naturalized American citizens.
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“People look at me and look me up and down, like, ‘What are you doing with a gun?’ We know what you do with weapons,” she said. “I walk into this place and I feel like an alien.”
Gun owner Raja’ee Fatihah was asked to leave the Save Yourself Survival and Tactic Gun Range in Oktaha, Oklahoma due to his religion. This shooting range actually had a sign saying it was “Free Islam”. Fatihah decided to drop by and try to change their minds.
“I thought visiting this shooting range would be a good way to build a bridge with people who I knew already harbored some animosity towards Muslims,” he said. “It wasn’t an accident. As soon as they found out I was a Muslim, they wanted me to leave the establishment.”
Save Yourself Survival and Magnetic Gun Range has now been sued for discrimination and has been unable to respond.
But this type of Islamophobia shouldn’t stop others from buying guns, says Broward County, Florida, deputy sheriff Nezar Hamze.
“I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” he said of the Second Amendment.
“Muslims have a victim mentality, or immigrant mentality, when it comes to owning guns,” said Hamze, 41, of Fort Lauderdale, whose father emigrated from Lebanon. “They are afraid that if they make a purchase or go to a shooting range and shoot, they will be put on some list.”
He added: “They limit their rights to themselves. They can practice the Second Amendment just like every other American does.”
Some interviewed in the article practice their Second Amendment right because they feel they must do so to truly protect themselves from hatred of their religion.
“It got to the point where people I knew in law enforcement were actually recommending that I take certain measures to make sure I could protect myself and my family,” said Shibly, 32, of Tampa.
He said Mr. Shibly had received death threats because of his advocacy on behalf of Muslims, and the mosques he attends had also received threats.
“I am not a reckless gun enthusiast,” he said. “I am a person who is reluctant to use these tools for self-defense purposes, while realizing the great burden that comes with them. They are not solely for sporting, entertainment or cultural purposes.”
“We don’t own guns because of Islam,” Shibly said. “We own guns because of the violence against minorities that is perpetrated in this country.”
He added: “The solution to the problems we face is neither more violence nor even more weapons. It is commitment, education, service, social organization, political involvement.”
However, Janice Rigsbee and Ahmad Akbour value gun culture and their constitutional rights due to familial or historical recognition.
“My father was a very conservative Republican,” said Ms. Rigsbee, wearing a hijab and carrying a decorated AR-15-style rifle. “He always told me to protect my First and Second Amendment rights at all costs. He taught me how to shoot and how to use weapons safely.
Akbour recognizes that weapons are essential to freedom.
“The founding principles of this nation were about self-determination and independence and the right to self-defense.” [Akbour] he said. “Owning a firearm isn’t just about playing soldier or being weirdly obsessed with guns or violence or whatever.”
He added: “They allow you to have a sense of freedom that few others can afford. And I think that’s something really special.”
There is a sense of sadness throughout the song. Americans interviewed should not feel such fear across the country. But with some scapegoats calling all gun owners “terrorists” and others demonizing all Muslims as “Islamic extremists,” perhaps this New York Times the article can be used to unite Americans in gratitude for their God-given right to self-defense.
