Terrorism took a record-high toll around the world in 1998, with 741 people killed and 5,952 injured (Chicago Tribune, 4-21-95). The World Trade Center, Oklahoma City bombing and even the airplane crashes were all being blamed on Muslims as terrorist attacks. As a Muslim during the time of the Oklahoma City bombing, I was usually the center of conversations. People were constantly ridiculing and whispering about me. I was tired of being pointed at while walking through the grocery stores, or department stores. I did not want to be the one that everyone was making fun of. I just wanted to be my old self again. The one thing I never

How could this ONLY be blamed on the Muslims? Why out of all people the Muslims? I just could not understand this. Everything was just so mind-boggling. Islam is the one main religion, which prohibits the killing of women and children. For what reason would a Muslim terrorist blow up a whole children's day care?

As I was going up in front of the class, I saw all those faces that I once used to know. It seemed as if I did not know those faces anymore. Everyone seemed to be a stranger that day. At first I was having difficulty speaking properly because I was so nervous. Then I saw one of my friends smile at me and give me a thumbs-up sign. That one simple gesture gave me the courage I needed. After that I felt so confident that I gave the best speech that I had ever given. I told the students that even though some Muslims were terrorists, not all of them were. I gave them the example that teachers had given me for years and years; how, friends stick by friends, in good times and in bad times. I had always been taught that a friend is a friend for life, and therefore, they are the ones who will be with you all the time. I showed them that I was the same person that they had all grown up with. I assured them that I was not going to bomb the school one day, or anything like that. Hearing me say all of this made them very happy. I saw the smiles and the expressions on their faces saying that they were comforted. They all seemed to be very relieved that I had taken my time to explain to them that they were thinking of me in the wrong way. I would never terrorize anything or anyone. That day I felt that I had actually accomplished a lot, and I had accomplished a lot. I felt so proud of myself because I was no longer afraid of anything anyone had to say about me. I had finally made myself clear in saying that I was not a terrorist, and neither was my family.

My grandmother tried explaining to me that if I had a problem with the article, I could write to the editor and ask them to print a retraction. I decided not to write to the editor, but it did make me curious as to see what other newspapers were printing. As I did my research, the anger that had built up inside me was unbelievable. I felt as though I was placed in front of the whole world, and everyone was pointing and laughing at me. Here are some examples of what the newspapers said:

Muslim Terrorists? I don't know any Muslims that are terrorists. What was going on? Islam was a religion of peace. Muslims believe in brotherhood, so why would they make any terrorist attacks? There could not be any room for terrorism! But my questions were left un-answered and my thoughts un-finished.

· "The betting here is on Middle East terrorists," declared CBS News'Jim Stewart just hours after the blast (Naureckas, par. 1).

A wise Muslim man once said, "There are always two sides to a coin, and if you look deep enough, you may find that coin in your own pocket." Before we act, we must think and understand what we are hearing and saying about others. The world is a small place. We all share common beliefs and values and we are more alike than different. Perhaps one day, I will be just another ordinary American again. Until then, I must remember what my grandmother has taught me. She taught me that I am who I am, and I must not forsake that. Even though people stereotype Muslims, I must believe that all Muslims are not terrorists, because they are not.

I spent my day wondering what everyone was thinking and if they thought I was a terrorist. I was paranoid throughout the day, thinking that people probably thought I was going to blow up the whole school tomorrow. I felt uneasy as I sneaked in and out of each class, hiding behind my desk. I was acting as if I was a robber trying to sneak around in an alarmed house. I received all kinds of looks from people in my classes; empty and hateful looks. I felt like the wal

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Approximate Word count = 3074
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)