#claim 1

While America may provide new opportunities and new freedoms for many Muslim Women, it has oppressed and even attacked some parts of the Islam religion.

Secular liberals and conservatives stereotype some muslim women as being oppressed by their faith and nation; muslim women are commonly used to “justify Western imperialism, colonialism, and militarism”. (Rankin)  Muslim women who wear the hijab are seen as oppressed by their religion; however, this is untrue, and many wear the hijab through their own choice. We must recognize how many Americans and other westerners have stereotyped the Islamic religion as oppressive and patriarchal. While there is some evidence to this, the overwhelming truth is that this is not simply true.

After 9/11, many muslims across America have found their religion attacked by hate groups and congress alike. “The attack on American Muslims is a vanguard assault on civil and democratic rights of working people. This is an attack on all Americans — especially the poor, immigrants and most vulnerable and isolated citizens.” (Miah) Through legislation that limits their religious freedom and hate groups ranging from White Supremacists to Neo-Nazis, many muslims have been oppressed  across America, the supposed land of freedom. This is important because many do not realize the prejudice and hate that happens across America.

A recent study shows that Muslim women are facing discrimination when they are going to find jobs.(Manoa) This study measured three things: formal discrimination,  interpersonal discrimination, and expectations to receive job offers. According to this study, muslim women who wear hijabs have a lower expectation of receiving job offers versus a women that does not wear a hijab. This interference between religion and the workplace is an unacceptable example of prejudice in America.