Eid-ul-Adha and the 15th Remembrance of 9/11 – How Should Muslims Proceed?

Hind Makki, “Hindtrospectives” – Praying for the Healing of My Country

We imbue meaning to certain dates because of our shared experiences. For American Muslims, there is a before and an after. Fifteen years ago, starting from 9/12, we became seen as a potential fifth column; our neighbors fearing our very existence, as various media and politicians stoked panic about “instant jihadi syndrome.”

Fifteen years after the attacks on 9/11, the holiest day of the Islamic calendar, the Day of Arafah, happens to fall on that date. Some argue that Muslims must be sensitive to the grief of our fellow citizens and tamp down our religious commemoration this year. Others counter that Muslims must commemorate our holiday without fear of a sinister reframing by Islamophobes. But here’s what I know: Islam predates 9/11, and it is a great disservice to continue to discuss our faith, beliefs, and rituals only within a national security framework.

Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from Islamic history. The first decade of the nascent Muslim community was plagued with violent persecution, hunger, and marginalization from Makkan society. Then, in 622, Prophet Muhammad received permission to migrate to Yathrib, where the young Muslim community was welcomed with open hearts and protected from their enemies.

Though revelation had begun 12 years prior, the early Muslims chose to begin their lunar calendar on 622, the year that signified a new beginning. Dates are not intrinsically sacred; instead, we consecrate them to give them meaning.

This year, 9/11 happens to also be the holiest day of my religious calendar. I will be uplifting the names of Hagar, Abraham, and their son Ismail. And, I will be praying for the healing of my country. I think we are big enough as an entire American and global community to respect that.

Next: Irfan Rydhan