Some Help with an Article on the World After 9/11

[brenton]

For a course I'm teaching at the University of Prince Edward Island, I'm looking for up to 3 chapters/articles/essays (10-20 pages), geared at a second year university student from a religious studies background (not a political studies one).

I have lots of really academic ones, but that's not what I'm looking for.

The three perspectives I'm looking for on the question of "The World after 9/11":
1. An American perspective--but not one of the "everybody is evil but us" perspective or a rabid anti-Bu****e; I'm looking for a balanced, intelligent, personal account.
2. A non-American non-Muslim (or academic) perspective--someone from Europe or Asia or Africa reflecting on the last 5 years.
3. A Muslim perspective written for non-Muslims. I've read lots of rants and anger and "US sucks" stuff or "bin Laden isn't a real Muslim." What I'm looking for is a more detached, "Since 9/11, Muslims are experience 1, 2, and 3."


Perhaps y'all can help with all of them, but I was hoping for help on #3. You can PM me with personal stories about the last 5 years if you like.

 

[Keltoi]

As an American I will always remember the events of that morning, and of course the aftermath. The world did indeed change, and obviously not for the better. I think the most direct consequence of the 9-11 attacks was the less than positive introduction of Muslims into the American mainstream. People who had little or no knowledge of Islam or those who practice it were given an unfortunate introduction to Muslims thanks to the acts of an extremist group. This has led to a certain rise in "Islamophobia", which has been worsened by radical Islamic propoganda, such as the beheading videos, and a general sensationalist approach by the media.

Another thing I think about is the neverending war footing the U.S. will more than likely be on for the remainder of my life. It is unfortunate, and will probably interfere with any positive domestic agenda for quite some time.

 

[brenton]

Thank you for the response. I still remember 9/11 too.

 

[north_malaysian]

When 9/11 happened, I knew that .... it's done by some maniacs who called themselves as "Muslims".

I went to a MIRC chatroom (#newyork) .. and there were lots of "Nuke Mecca!! Nuke Mecca!!" chants there.

Just hours after the unfortunate tragedies, rumours about Israelis involved in the attacks started to went around Malaysians... it's even reported in some media...

Until now, most Malaysians deny any Muslim involvement in the attacks...

Then, many Malaysians prefer to study in Australia or UK, because it's hard to obtain Visa to study in the USA.

And lots of Arab tourists flocking to Malaysia...

 

[brenton]

I was in Japan when it happened, and they were afraid to fly afterward.

In his Oct 2001 speech on TV, bin Laden hinted at responsibility, but never fully accepted credit for 9/11, but the 19 men accused of the crime may have been involved.

 

[Woodrow]

I was living in Tennessee Colony, Texas at the time. I had turned on the TV just before the first plane hit. It was immediatly reported as an accident. Then the second plane hit the other tower.

There were two men renting one of my mobile homes back in the woods. I knew they did not have a TV. I walked over to invite them up to watch the TV broadcasts. They had been listening to it on the radio. When I was there the report came on the news about the plane hitting the pentagon. Our immediate thought was WW3 had just begun. Our first thought was it must be radicals in the former Soviet Union or China.

A little later came in the cell phone call from the man aboard the plane over Pennsylvania. That was when it first became known Planes had been hijacked. From the call on the plane the hijackers were described as being Mid-Easterners of unknown origin.

The news broadcasts than came out that it appeared that there may be as many as 15 planes hijacked. All Civilian air craft was ordered out of the Air and National Guard Fighters were scrambled. For the first time in US history the command was given to shoot down all civilian aircraft that were in the air.

Over the next few days there was much speculation as to who was responsible. The ones identified as being the prime hijackers were identified as Saudi Arabians and were student pilots at several US flight schools.

Over the next few days many of the flight instructors were questioned about them. They all stated that the men had been good students. Very quiet and very polite. Interviews with other students that had met them described them as being very quiet, not much for socialising.

 

[brenton]

That's a great story Woodrow. Did you experience anti-Muslim sentiments?
I once saw a documentary, "Turning Muslim in Texas."