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From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng  (Original Message)    Sent: 6/18/2005 2:31 AM
MODERATE HOPES EFFORTS HELP REMOVE 9/11 STIGMA
Muslim-American author takes aim at stereotypes

By AKEMI NAKAMURA
Staff writer

Concerned about the negative images of Muslims being generated by the actions of terrorist extremists in recent years, Muslim-American author Asma Gull Hasan said average Muslims, including those in Japan, need to speak up so people gain a fair understanding of Islam.

News photo
Asma Gull Hasan

"I think, in all the big issues (in the world), Muslims are basically involved in some way or another," including in Iraq and Chechnya, Hasan, 30, said in a recent interview. "We need to hear more voices from average Muslims who are not in trouble or part of any political problems."

Hasan, a devout Muslim, is visiting Tokyo from June 11 to 21. She gave a lecture Wednesday at Waseda University organized by the Tokyo American Center and also plans to meet other Muslims here.

Her efforts to change Muslim stereotypes -- usually related to terrorism or misogyny -- started in 2000 with the publication of her first book, "American Muslims: The New Generation." The book tells about her experience as a moderate Muslim born and raised in the U.S. The Japanese version was published in 2003.

Hasan, whose parents emigrated from Pakistan to the United States, describes herself in the book as an all-American girl who is not afraid to state her opinions and a feminist who opts not to wear a "hijab," or head cover, used by conservative Muslim women.

During her research for the book, Hasan found that most Muslims-Americans live quietly, have regular jobs and are active in their communities.

But the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S. put her and other Muslims a difficult situation.

"We were sort of under the radar (before the attacks). Nobody noticed us," said Hasan, who works as a lawyer in Las Vegas. But since the attacks, "we became more nervous about how the people perceive us."

At the same time, the attacks have motivated Americans to learn about Islam, she said. A larger number of people began showing up for her lectures right after the attacks, and many Americans who didn't know anything about Muslims now know more about Islam.

An estimated 7 million Muslims currently live in the U.S., according to Hasan. Japan has some 100,000 Muslims, about 10 percent of whom are Japanese, according to the Japan Muslim Association.

Hasan, who published a second book with a similar theme in 2004, said she will continue to spread word about the reality of Muslims in the U.S. and hopes her activities help people learn more about Islam and give them opportunities to think about their own culture.

The Japan Times: June 18, 2005
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050618f2.htm