Muslim In NYC: Queens Couple Fears Growing Anti-Islam Sentiments
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Some city Muslims feel uneasy and fear a backlash like they experienced after September 11th. In this first installment of Queens reporter Ruschell Boone's close look at the borough's Muslim communities, a young family in Flushing looks over its shoulders every time they go out.Nabeel and Sabeen Mahmud of Flushing, Queens are on guard these days, worried about a potential backlash against Muslims. This in the wake of the terror arrest of Najibullah Zazi, who used to live in their Flushing neighborhood.
"While we're out, just be careful. I don't tell her to be careful every day, but given the way things are happening right now, it's better to be safe than sorry," says Nabeel Mahmud.
Such fears were only heightened by the shooting spree in Fort Hood, Texas, and the decision to put the alleged mastermind of the September 11th attacks on trial in New York City.
"You kind of walk around with people looking at you, with that sense of guilt that you're affiliated with such tragic events," says Sabeen Mahmud.
The couple, who have a young daughter, senses the same kind of anger from fellow New Yorkers that they say they experienced after September 11th.
"I've had several people at various times have come into my face and call me a 'towel head,'" says Sabeen Mahmud, who wears a headscarf.
"I've been asked where do I come from and to 'go back to your country.' The ironic thing is I've been born and bred in New York," says Nabeel Mahmud.
Nabeel Mahmud grew up in Queens and his wife Sabeen grew up in Brooklyn. They're both first-generation New Yorkers and the children of Pakistani immigrants who share a strong love for the city. While they understand the frustrations that lead to the hostility, that doesn't mean they accept it.
"You know, 9/11 was a tremendous catastrophe, so I understand it again. But I still don't think it's fair because you don't know me," says Sabeen Mahmud.
The couple also says New Yorkers do not know that a lot of Muslims are doing what they can in the fight against terrorism.
"Incidents do catch your ear and we certainly do speak to the appropriate authorities," says Nabeel Mahmud. "Unfortunately in every community, there are holes in communication and sometimes, frankly, we don't know. I mean, our vast intelligence agencies unfortunately can't catch people, let alone laymen such as ourselves."
The Mahmuds say they will continue to do their part in these turbulent times.
"[Some terrorists] call themselves Muslim, but they kill everyone, regardless of their faith, regardless of their gender, regardless of their age. And these people should just be locked up," says Nabeel Mahmud.