Muslim students fear aftermath

The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA) ^ | March 25, 2003 | Ross Markman

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Muslim students fear aftermath
Gettysburg College students scared for their families in the Middle East.
By ROSS MARKMAN
Evening Sun Reporter
Nadia Awad doesn't trust President Bush as far as she can throw Saddam Hussein.
A Muslim raised in Jerusalem, Awad's religion makes her
a minority at Gettysburg College.

But she isn't alone.

More than 20 students are members of the private
school's Muslim Students' Association, a group that
meets every two weeks to plan religious activities and
celebrations.

Friday afternoon, four association members talked war.

The students said they don't want Saddam in command.

They said they're scared for their families in the
Middle East.

And more than anything, they're concerned about the
aftermath of war.

"I think Bush is thinking short term. I don't think he's
going to rebuild Iraq after the war," said
Awad, a 20-year-old sophomore.

Awad said she's also concerned about her parents in
Jerusalem. After the first Gulf War, Iraq attacked
Israel.

"None of us like Saddam. None of us want to see him in
power. But there's got to be another way," she
said of the current conflict.

Uzma Sheikh, a junior from Pakistan, agreed. The 21-year-
old junior said she's angry and thinks U.S. forces
have no business in Iraq.

"I don't feel Bush has any real basis for this war.
True, Saddam Hussein is a bad person, but (Bush) has no
right intervening with other countries'
politics," she said.

Sheikh, vice president of the student association, said
many students believe only what they see on
television. Few, she said, can relate to the images.

"It doesn't really seem like it's affected everyone.
It's just something on TV," she said. "Some of the
students think that's what they're going to do: free
Iraq ... But I really don't think (Bush) cares about the
Iraqi people."

Sheikh has lived in the U.S. since 2000, her freshman
year at Gettysburg. Though she hasn't heard
backlash from non-Muslim students, Sheikh said
many of her peers are ignorant to life in Iraq.

"It's funny to hear people say, Go bomb Iraq. They
deserve to die,'" she said. "I think most of them have
no idea as to why it's going on and why this
has happened."

Atif Muhannad blames Sept. 11.

President of the student group, Muhannad was born in
Pakistan, but spent most of his life in New York City.
The U.S., he said, should be less involved in
foreign affairs.

"I think it's about revenge. This wouldn't be happening
right now if there was no Sept. 11," he
said.

"I think the U.S. is involved because of terrorism," he
added. "But why would war make terrorists any
less angry? Terrorists are going to do it anyway."

Though he doesn't support attacking Iraq, Muhannad said
he understands why many Americans think it was
the right thing to do.

But, he said, it might not have been the right time to
do it.

"I can see where people are coming from when they're
angry. I'm angry also," said Muhannad, a 20-year-old
junior. "But the way (the U.S.) is going about it is too
quick, too vengeful. I just think Bush needs
somebody to pick on."

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

This story ran last week in my local PA paper. Ross Markman can be reached at markman@eveningsun.com

[Happy2BMe]

"A Muslim raised in Jerusalem, Awad's religion makes her a minority at Gettysburg College"

OKie DOkie - - NOW HERE is the $64 question:

Will Muslims seek and secure "minority" status in the United States?

Oh - one more. Does Islam qualify as a "race?"

[Post Toasties]

Considering how many are fanatical religious bigots, a lot of Muslims are certainly over sensitive to the mere potential of a slight.

[KC_for_Freedom]

"But the way (the U.S.) is going about it is too quick, too vengeful. I just think Bush needs somebody to pick on."

Translation: I go to a liberal college and I am not studying too well, so this statement may help raise my grade.

[Coop]

After the first Gulf War, Iraq attacked Israel.

Really? I must have missed that war. Ahh, yet another stellar product of American universities.

[sheik yerbouty]

Another question. Why did they come here and not to some Islamic "paradise"?

[justshutupandtakeit]

Twit alert.

[Rummyfan]

It seems that every world and national event of the past two years is met with reports from the Muslim comunity about how they are afraid of backlash, or increased scrutiny, or discrimination, or the sky falling for that matter. Is everyone else as sick of these reports as I am? Rest of the world to Muslims: shut up and live your lives already!

[666beast]

what do i care what a bunch a turban-winders think?

how come all these immigrants treat americans like crap?

its like america's whole existence is just to kiss butt and boot lick to make every one else feel comfortable except that once they get comfortable, they get bold enough to laugh into tirades and in some cases, violence against the united states.

After 9-11, el-al airlines, the beltway snipers, and asan akbar, not to mention all of the terrorist acts prior to these FOUR strikes, there's no question that there's an anti-american movement afoot.

so these towel-wrappers can live in fear for all i care. i'm american and i live in fear everyday since the world hates us and our government lets these haters infest our country and live here.

screw 'em.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

The worst part of this story, for me, is that it is standard fare for my local newspaper. Hanover, PA is a solid Rebulican town, but the only paper is owned by some Canadian publishing outfit. I don't know who they are. They hide behind local editors and a local publisher, who are the most liberal fanatics you will find. My girlfriend gets the paper by subscription and she won't cancel it because she likes the sales flyers, coupons, and auction notices, as well as info on local events around town. But the put crap like this on the front page constantly.

[SauronOfMordor]

"After the first Gulf War, Iraq attacked Israel. " Really? I must have missed that war.

DURING the first Gulf War, Iraq shot some Scuds at Israel, is probably what he meant

[j.havenfarm]

Big yawn for more islamic whiners.

[3AngelaD]

If Ms. Awad hates George Bush so much, why doesn't she go home? To her and the other one, who thinks the U.S. has no business in Iraq, I say, you have no business in my country. Get out. All of these students sound like nasty little pieces of work who grow up to highjack airplanes and fly them into buildings. I hope someone in Homeland Security is taking down names. The reporter who wrote this story has the journalism skills of my Yorkie. The lame editors who passed it on to a defenseless public should be replaced as well.

[CatoRenasci]

Actually, Gettysburg is hardly what I'd call a "liberal" college -- it's affiliated with the Lutheran Church and fairly conservative as Northeastern liberal arts colleges go. We looked at it for our daughter, but it didn't click.

[xm177e2]

More than 20 students are members of the private school's Muslim Students' Association, a group that meets every two weeks to plan religious activities and celebrations.

Friday afternoon, four association members talked war.

The MSAs are always talking politics, and they're ALWAYS talking about war, the war between radical Islam and America (and guess which side they're on? I'll give you a hint: the MSAs are funded with Saudi money)

[Bluntpoint]

"Muslim students fear aftermath"

Funny. Most American students fear post chemistry.

[NFOShekky]

"what do i care what a bunch a turban-winders think? how come all these immigrants treat americans like crap?"

I'm reading this article and I don't even think these bastards are immigrants! They are probably just here on student visas, read that "taking seats away from US Citizens!" Their opinion therefore means nothing, and they should shut up and be thankful we don't send them the hell home, like we should have on September 12th!

[TADSLOS]

"I think it's about revenge. This wouldn't be happening right now if there was no Sept. 11," he said.

Yep, and a whole lot more. Now get the F*** out of my country!!

[Coop]

DURING the first Gulf War, Iraq shot some Scuds at Israel, is probably what he meant

Of course she did. Her parents live in Israel, but she can't even correctly relate a basic point of the Gulf War. Yet the paper has no problem prominently featuring her "expert" opinion.

What probably occurred is she's been using that argument about Iraq attacking Israel during the Gulf War. But since that didn't occur during this conflict, which is apparently winding down, she's now revising history so she can keep right on bleating.

[JohnGaltSpeaking]

"I think it's about revenge. This wouldn't be happening right now if there was no Sept. 11," he said.

That is probably true but it shouldnt be. This is a war that should have been continued in 1991. But G HW Bush was far too concerned about maintaining his coalition.

Also I agree with a former statement made. If she hates Bush, hates our policies and hates what we stand for, she should leave. It would be like me going to Tehran and decrying the Iranian foreign policy.

Doubtful i would be as tolerated though