Eleven years after 9/11 - What does it mean to be Hispanic and Muslim?

This Sep. 11 will mark eleven years since the terrorist attacks changed the course of history for the United States. The legacy of the event is manifested in the tough restrictions and security measures governing travel and entering public buildings or sports stadiums, and in suspicion that arises about everything that is unfamiliar or unknown.

Ethnic minorities, especially Hispanic immigrants and certain religion groups such as Muslim have been favorite targets of hate groups and nativists, as noted by a report issued by the Southern Poverty Law Center last Feb. 2011, which says that since 2001 attacks, extremists groups have grown from 676 to more than 1,000.

Univision news anchor, Jorge Ramos in his book “A Country for All”, said that although it was obvious, it had to be repeated: none of the nineteen terrorists who murdered nearly 3,000 Americans on Sep. 11, 2001 entered the U.S. through the border with Mexico. And, he said, none of the 9/11 terrorists was Latin American or received training in Latin America. However, he said, many Latin American immigrants are suffering the effects of those terrorist acts.

Hispanics and Muslims

 Aileen Maldonado

According with the American Muslim Association of North America, about 200,000 Hispanics have converted to Islam in the U.S.

For Aileen Maldonado, 29, who converted to Islam almost two years ago, being a woman, a Hispanic and a Muslin means “belonging to a minority of a minority of a minority,” she said during an interview at the mosque of the Islamic Center of Tulsa. “It is certainly a big challenge, but at the same time it is something beautiful. Being a Muslim is something dignified, strong and humble. It requires discipline, but above all a lot of heart. It is a religion of peace and love.”

Maldonado grew up within traditions of the Catholic Church. “I always had a lot of questions about Catholicism. My life has been inner quest, but now I am at peace,” she said. “The Koran – Islam´s holy book – was a light. I find it beautiful and inspiring.”

The practice of a new religion brought new challenges for Maldonado. “It is a process. There are people who understand and accept it; there are others that with a look they convey hate, and there is a group very curious to learn,” she said.

Maldonado, who now covers her head with a veil or hijab, said she feels freer. “Now I feel that people look at me in the eyes,” she said. “I was not free before. I lived in an imaginary prison, in a fantasy. Now I am free.”

Although the Hispanic congregation at the local mosque is time – four members of Hispanic origin among about 2,000 – Maldonado said she feels at home. “This is mu refuge,” she said. “ I come here and I feel full of peace.”

Remembering the Attacks

19 terrorists of the extremist Al-Qaeda militant group hijacked four commercial airliners on Sep. 11, 2001. The objectives were the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. A fourth plane, with an unknown destination crashed in an open field near Shanksville, Pa.

The death toll was close to 3,000 people, including firefighters, police and paramedics who were helping in the rescue.