Muslim students talk about Libya attack - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Muslim students talk about Libya attack

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

Muslim students in the Quad cities are feeling the affects from the Libyan attacks. Just one day after the anniversary of 9/11. Some say, they are worried people are going to perceive their islamic faith as violent, once again.

"Physically, I don't feel affected, but mentally and thinking about my broader community and other Muslim communities, I feel another stab of fear," says Hiba Ansari, a student at Augustana and the President of the Muslim Student Association.

The fear Hiba is talking about comes just a day after mourning the tragedy of 9/11 and other Muslims at Augustana know how she feels.

"It does on an indirect level in terms of people's prejudice towards our background and where we come from this is something that all Muslims have been fighting since 2001," says Ahmed Abuzant, an Augustana student.

Muslim Americans say after years of trying to educate others about their faith, this is a huge step back.

"It's like a domino affect. it takes a lot of people to build understanding between the western civilization and the east and it takes one attack like what happened last night to break everything," says Abuzant.

Muslims in the QC say they still want to share their faith with others.

"Our job here as a community is to educate others about Islam, so they don't get the wrong impression," says Muna Omar, an Augustana student.