RALEIGH, N.C. — The presence of Border Patrol agents in some North Carolina communities has caused numerous people to feel a range of emotions.
It’s led a few North Carolina Muslim organizations to address the treatment of American Muslims and immigrants as a whole.
“Features a lot of different parts of the crown on it, but in the center, it features, cover from Mecca, which is the thing that we, you know, pray toward,” Al Rieder, manager of the Council on American Islamic Relations North Carolina, said as he describes a tarp he received as a wedding present.
It features Muslim landmarks and verses from the Quran – all from a culture he loves and stands for.
“I see an injustice, and I try to do my best to help those in need,” he said.
Rieder, who sympathizes with some of the communities affected by recent Border Patrol raids, says he knows firsthand some of their concerns.
He feels Muslim Americans have been under attack for years, with tensions increasing since 9/11.
“I mean, we’ve had people, everything from people spitting on each other and driving away on college campuses to people not being allowed to pray in the parking lot of their business they work at to a whole, amount of things,” Rieder said.
Just recently, CAIR-NC, along other local Muslim organizations, partnered up to repaint a mosque in Statesville.
Rieder said this happened after an unknown person vandalized the side of the building.
He said the Muslim community is currently in a state of fear.
“Afraid to go overseas, they’re afraid to see family. They’re afraid to leave their home. They’re afraid that federal officers are going to come to their home,” he explained.
Rieder said no one should have to face harassment or intimidation, regardless of where they come from or their faith.
He said he hopes for a community that stands up to hate, bigotry and discrimination.
“We can’t let that fear stop us from living our lives,” he said. “At the same time, though, we have to be very protective of ourselves and be rational about how we go about our days.”
Earlier this week, the Muslim American Public Affairs Council, the Council on American–Islamic Relations North Carolina and Charlotte Muslim Caucus wrote a statement criticizing federal operations within the state.
The statement said in part, “North Carolina as a whole has been shaped by newcomers. And we refuse to allow anyone, local or national, to use xenophobia or Islamophobia to divide us or make our neighbors feel unsafe.”
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Jatrissa Wooten
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