Islamic Community Members’ Concerns Rise Post-Election

In the wake of Donald Trump’s election as President, on Friday, November 11, a neo-Nazi group reportedly indicated on social media that it would be demonstrating outside the East Lansing Islamic Center. That demonstration never materialized according to Thasin Sardar, Outreach Coordinator for the Islamic Center—but what did materialize in response was an outpouring of local support for Muslim members of the greater Lansing community.

Sardar told me yesterday that the first the East Lansing Islamic Center heard of the possible neo-Nazi demonstration was from Pastor Sarah Midzalkowski at the University Lutheran Church, next door on Harrison Road. She called to say she was sorry to hear there was an anti-Muslim demonstration being planned to occur during the Friday congregation prayer at the Center. In response to the threat of an anti-Muslim demonstration, local members of the interfaith clergy group put out the word asking for people to counter with a show of support for Muslim members of our community.

“When I arrived at 12 p.m. for our prayers,” Sardar told me, “at first I was shocked to see people there with signs. But it turned out to be all people who came to show support for us.” He said that from about noon through 8 p.m., there were at least a hundred people who showed up. He remembers in particular one couple who had a sign saying, “Muslims make America great, too.”

Sardar tells me that since the election, there is an increased level of fear, frustration, and concern among local Muslim community members. He says it has been particularly difficult and stressful for women who wear headscarves and for children in public schools who are being called names, although he noted that things are not as bad in the mid-Michigan area—where there is a substantial Muslim population—compared to some parts of America.

Sardar was quick to note in our interview yesterday that it is not just Muslims who are being targeted for hate speech and acts of intimidation since the election. “Blacks, Latinos, gay people—it is not just Muslims,” Sardar told me. He mentioned some troubling local incidents that have been reported but said he did not want to repeat unconfirmed reports.

I asked Sardar if Muslim parents of minor children are experiencing particular stress. He said they were definitely experiencing “increased fear and anxiety, especially for girls who wear head scarves.” He said that civil rights groups have been advising Muslims and others being targeted not to escalate situations but to first take care of their own safety. “Women in particular are feeling very vulnerable” among Muslims, Sardar told me.

According to Sardar, “this is the time for all of us to be holding hands together.” He said he is especially worried about “dreamers”—children of undocumented immigrants. He also said the support locally for minority populations is significant, and noted that with talk now occurring of a “registry” meant to keep track of Muslims nationally, rabbis and others have indicated they would register as Muslims in solidarity.

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