Muslims notice change for better in 10 years

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President of Mosque Cares Imam Warith Deen Mohammed II (second from right) speaks during a press conference at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois, Friday, September, 2, 2011. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 23, 2012 3:43AM

Ten years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, local Muslim leaders say they have noticed a change for the better when it comes to relations with non-Muslims.

Imam W. Deen Muhammad II, president of Richton Park-based The Mosque Cares, said the attacks were felt deeply within America’s Muslim community. But it also helped bring a better understanding to the religion, said Muhammad, who oversees a ministry founded by his late father.

“(After 9-11) a lot of us were in fear for our safety. We didn’t know what could happen. We knew the hurt and the anger we felt. We were on the other side, looking at people with Muslim names (who did) such heinous acts,” he said. “Since 9/11, the best thing that came out of it is a sincere, conscious effort to understand Muslims better.”

The convention’s seminars and lectures focused on topics such as the Koran, financial investing, dancing, community issues, education and history. It concludes at 2 p.m. Sunday with a keynote address by W. Deen Mohammed II.

The Mosque Cares runs programs and initiatives to offer support to needy groups, funding for Islamic centers and providing college scholarships for outstanding students, Muhammad said.

Elam Muhammad, an official with The Mosque Cares, said proof of changes for the better can be found in the White House.

“Any time that someone would take a minority and make him a president of their country, shows they’ve been changed,” he said

The challenge remains, though, for Muslims to gain greater acceptance, said Imam Abdul Kareem Muhammad, national chair for the convention and a member of a New Jersey mosque.

Muslims serve in the military and work in education and politics, among other things, he said. While Muslims are trying to establish themselves in this country, they’re also a “part of the fabric” of the U.S., he said.

“We’re trying to establish our life in this country. As Muslims we’re very much a part of the fabric of this country.

“We want that to be known because there’s a lot of misinformation and some ignorance on the part of the American people that don’t realize the contributions Muslims have made to this society, country, community and world,” he said.

Lynne Muhammad, who teaches science at Whitney Young High School on Chicago’s Near West Side, said the convention gives different Muslim groups a chance to “strengthen organizations out there so we can help each other.”

At the same time, prejudice remains, she said.

“As Americans, we try to continue to push forward,” she said.

Convention panel member Amatullah Yamini said Muslims need to “go to the community and the American people and say, ‘Here’s what Islam is all about. We grew up with you. We went to school with you. You need to understand a little bit more about Islam.’ ”