Muslim in America: Voices of Dearborn, Michigan
More than 98,000 people call Dearborn home, including one of the largest Arab-American communities in the country and a large concentration of practicing Muslims.
The "CBS This Morning" social media team visited the Islamic Center of America, which introduced us to leaders of the Muslim community exemplifying not only diverse professional accomplishments but loving family connections.
They provided us with some insight on how it feels to be Muslim in America, given the current political and social tensions surrounding Islam.
Below is a collection of some of their thoughts:
Najah Bazzy
Occupation: Transcultural clinical nurse specialist, humanitarian
"For our family, America is the only home we have ever known. ... We need to come together as citizens of our country and to be open in our hearts and in our minds and to not desecrate the very values that this country was built upon. I also ask America to see what's in my head and not what's on my head when you see me."
Zenna Faraj Elhasan
Occupation: Director of corporation counsel of Wayne County, Michigan
"Both my husband and I believe very strongly that in order to raise good children in this country or otherwise, there has to be a strong religious foundation, and for us it just happens to be Islam. ... We grew up as Muslims, and therefore we hope our children will grow up as Muslims. ... Each story has a meaning behind it, a moral behind it, a lesson behind it, and those are found in the Quran."
Hassan Chami
Age: 26
Occupation: Pharmacist
"Being Muslim in America is being American. We practice our freedom of religion.
"As a Muslim-American, what do I do with my life? Everything that you do. I was born in this country. I was educated in this country. I watch college football on Saturdays and the NFL on Sundays. We are good people. We love. We share. There is no hate in our hearts. We are not out to commit crimes or hurt others."
Iltefat Hamzavi
Occupation: Dermatologist
"In America, everybody has a potential to become somebody, and what you are doing is taking that away. So you ask me what my emotion is: It's anger. ... You are a dying breed. You ruled this country this way in the 19th century and in the 20th century, you are not going to rule the country this way in the 21st century. ... Even if you take my resources, my health, my life, my children, I will fight for that opportunity because America is the only place in the world that you can do it."
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