As Muslim moms, dads, grandparents, family members and community members, it’s critical to arm our children with the realities of what typical Americans “perceive” us to be, who we are, what we do, and how we think.

Now, as optimistic, fun-loving, and open-minded as I am–since birth, I have often scared people because they thought I was naive to think the world is so rosey and peachy-keen. Now, I never assumed people to be as blissful (which is a good thing, mashaAllah) and ultrusitic as I, but I don’t think this world is all doom and gloom either…and remember my babies and I lived in a war zone for over a year!

So, despite 9/11 and all has occurred with Muslim hate crime, I continue to live my life optimistically only because I have no fear accept to please Allah by living by the Glorious Qur’an and striving my best to live by the Sunnah.

But,regardless how I feel, it’s my duty to protect my daughters and the number one way is with education and building our self-confidence based on the truth surrounding them.

So, when I was first exposed to the first set of research below by introduction of Ben of Mediacurve.com (comments to the CNN media request), I sat all my girls down to read and discuss each and every single slide, also linked below.

Hijabis in America are seen as Different

MediaCurves.com – What a Difference a Shawl Makes – Perceptions Differ of Woman With and Without a Shawl on her Head (January 2008)

• Slide show of the supporting data – A must read or at least flip through quickly! (618 surveyed)

Not surprisingly, nothing has changed a year later.

Muslims still face overwhelming amount of discrimination

Muslims Widely Seen As Facing Discrimination – Pew Forum (2010 surveyed)

• Views of Religious Similarities and Differences
• Views of Islam and Muslim
• About the Survey
• Full Report: Views of Religious Similarities and Differences
  MUSLIMS WIDELY SEEN AS FACING DISCRIMINATION (PDF version -24 pgs.)
• Topline questionnaire (9 pgs.)

While there’s much for details to go through in the Pew’s detailed research above, it is imperative that I also take the time to go through each and every page with my young daughters as well.

Will you arm your children with knowledge, regardless of their age?

Our girls are 6, 8 and 9 years old.

I’m eager to hear what you have to say. Please comment below.

Muslim American Perceptions Hardly Changed – Still Facing Discrimination is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog