1. 21st Century Multi Cultural America
Session: Scars and Wounds from 9/11 on American Public: Understanding Diversity through Islam
21st Century Multi Cultural America

2. Question for you to consider…
Why we’re having this conversation: We now live in a very global and connected society. People from all over the world are more connected than ever. You will have to interact with people who are “different” than you. How do I co-exist in a multi-cultural 21st century society?
Question for you to consider…

3. Muslims in the World… Estimated 1.7 Muslims in the world Muslim Map
2nd largest religion in the world (Christianity #1)
Muslims in the World…

4. On September 11th, 2001- 4 United Airlines were hijacked.
2 hit the World Trade Center in NYC
1 hit the Pentagon in D.C.
1 crash landed in Pennsylvania
Estimated 3,000 lives were lost
9/11 News Coverage
A Tragic Reminder…

5. Preamble: Take this questionnaire: How much do you know about Islam?
Respond to each of the following questions with Y (yes), N (no), or DK (don't know.)
1. I know little or nothing about Islamic religious practices Islam is very different from my own religion Islam encourages violence I have a favorable impression (good feelings) of Muslim Americans I have a favorable impression (good feelings) of Muslims I know at least one Muslim.
Preamble: Take this questionnaire: How much do you know about Islam?

6. The results of a Pew Research Center national poll of 3,002 American adults published 9/25/07 on each of these questions (
1. Yes: 58%- Knowing about Islam 2. Yes: 79%-Diff from my own religion 3. Yes: 45%-Islam and violence 4. Yes: 53%-Good feelings Muslim Amer 5. Yes: 43%-Good feelingsMuslims 6. Yes: 56%-Know at least 1 Muslim
The Results…

7. Second Questionnaire…
Respond to each of the following questions with Y (yes), N (no), or DK (don't know.)
1. Should college or university officials agree to the request of Muslim women that a gym be restricted to women at certain times?
2. Should a Muslim woman be required to remove her head scarf after being arrested and taken to a jail?
3. Should police round up and jail Muslim men if American buildings are destroyed without warning?
4. Should a Muslim professor of Islamic studies who has criticized U.S. policies be allowed to enter the U.S. and teach at an American university?
5. Should a newspaper be allowed to publish cartoons making fun of the Prophet Muhammad?
6. Are most Muslims of Arab descent?
Second Questionnaire…

8. Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim
Mosque- A place of worship for followers of Islam
Muhammad- founder of the religion of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of God (Arabic: الله‎ Allāh), the greatest law- bearer in a series of Islamic prophets
Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim

9. Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim
Hijab- refers to the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women
Issues in the U.S.
Burka- Traditional garment worn by Muslim women to cover the body from public view
Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim

10. Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim
Jihad- In Arabic, the word jihād is a noun meaning "struggle."- in modern context it has become to mean by some “holy war”
Infidel- Literally "one without faith"- is a very old English noun, meaning one who doubts or rejects the central ideas of a religion other than one's own
Terms to Know: Islam & Muslim

11. Controversy at “Ground Zero”…
Should NYC allow a mosque to be built around the corner from Ground Zero?
In 2011, proposal for an Islamic Cultural Center was approved
By 2015, the project was rejected due to some permitting issues & community outrage
However, there was a divide amongst people in NYC
Controversy at “Ground Zero”…

12. Does anyone know where we sent U.S. Troops to in 2001 and also in 2003?
What were the reasons we sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq for?
Going back to U.S. history, how do Americans feel about the people we are at war with?
How are those people treated here at home?
Our World Post 9/11…

13. The Impact of Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan
The United States exited troops from Iraq in 2011 and Afghanistan in 2014
This left both these countries to “rebuild” their countries after more than 10 years of U.S. occupations-leaving lots of “instability”
By 2011, Arab countries in N. Africa and Middle East engaged in political/social revolutions called “The Arab Spring”
The Impact of Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan

14. The Impact of Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan
With all this instability and social upheaval…
Terrorist groups all over the Arab world have taken advantage of this
Groups like ISIS in Middle East, Boko Haram in Africa have reeked havoc across the Arab and Western worlds
Naturally, with all this violence people are vulnerable and have to leave
The Impact of Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan

15. The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Questions to Consider as You Watch:
1. Describe some of the issues that refugees are facing
2. Did you learn anything new about how people are viewing and reacting to these new “people” arriving in their countries?
3. Why is it important to have these conversations?
Largest Refugee Crisis: Syria
The Syrian Refugee Crisis

16. Reflections and Lessons Learned
What are some of the stereotypes you have about cultures unknown to you? How can you start to challenge these stereotypes? Do you think it’s ok to have these stereotypes?
How can having an understanding of other cultures be helpful when a crisis like 9/11 hits? How can this reflection help you when you interact with different people out in the real world?
Reflections and Lessons Learned