Date of Award

6-2008

Document Type

Union College Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

David Cotter

Language

English

Keywords

american, muslim, community, group, identity

Abstract

The time period after 9/11 was a “paradoxical historical moment” for the American Muslim community. (Cainkar 2004:16). The Muslim communities in the US are experiencing the worst discrimination, social out-casting and government oppression that they have ever faced. Simultaneously, their institutions are experiencing great growth, civic inclusion and the efforts towards integration into American society are stronger than ever before. Despite post-9/11 scrutiny, American Muslims have furthered work in civil rights, human rights, interfaith dialogue, education, charity, political activism and other activities (Huda 2006). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a significant world event on a somewhat marginalized and vulnerable population, American Muslim youth. This population struggles to reconcile a joint identity, and this study investigates the changes within their “American” identity as well as their “Muslim” identity. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was collected with the use of an online survey with a sample consisting of Muslims ages 18-30 that have lived in America for at least 5 years. The results show a high degree of religious observance among the youth surveyed, a determination for increasing civic participation, increasing concerns about their safety as a minority group, and an overall significant change in their attitudes and experiences because of 9/11. The findings have implications not just for the American Muslim community but for the American community at large with regard to how it will interact with this group within their larger group.

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