Many ways to looks at groups impacted by terrorism.

Irena,

Thank you for writing this timely article that addresses a painful situation from a personal perspective. Your anecdote concerning your sister’s hesitance to display her Muslim identity is repeated millions of times daily by Muslims residing in the west.

As usual, there are several sides to every issue:

First, people in the west are justifiably concerned about terrorism. If riding on trains, flying in airplanes, and working in tall buildings are invitations for mass murder, then most people will get annoyed and much more. If there is a self-proclaimed, almost boastful, religious, ethnic, or even political face behind these acts, then normal people will resort to bigoted paranoia and collective suspicion. This is the obvious consequence of terror inflicted by overtly evil, violent, and cruel perpetrators. People in this category are indeed victims of terrorism by those who proclaim to be inspired by extreme Islamic teachings.

Second, there are people who have always hated Muslims, mid-Easterners, and "Ayrabs and Turks" for a long long time. The acts of terror committed by murderers, in the name of Islam, have given new life, credence, and propaganda for the agenda of those who would have found one reason or another to voice their hatred. The main difference is that now they can spread their hatred with complete freedom and even encouragement from the otherwise decent majority and law-abiding citizens. Before terrorism, the key words that fanned these hatemongers’ lust for animosity were oil, greed, polygamy, slavery, status of women, and lavish display of wealth by sheiks. They elected to ignore that Exxon, Enron, Mormons, slavery in the US South, prostitution, and the high-tipping Ugly American were primarily manifestations of the Judeo-Christian "civilization" of the west. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the all too frequent and nauseating audio and video tapes from AlKayda, the string of bombings in Madrid, London, Delhi, Mumbai, and elsewhere, and the rather convenient and timely botched plots to blow up every conceivable transport and structure, have all combined to provide priceless ammunition to those who hate Muslims. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, Emerson, ex-PMs Berlusconi, Sharon, and soon to be ex-PMs Blair and Olmert, have all been delighted by their chance to do some real Muslim bashing. These are the people who should really love the "Muslim" terrorists for giving them a raison d’etre, a pulpit, and a tremendous opportunity.

Third, you have the twice-victimized Muslims residing in the west. As travelers and citizens in western countries, these people are as much a target as their non-Muslim compatriots. Additionally, the bear the burden of being perceived as security risks, fifth columnists, and the punching bags for the frustrations, apprehensions, and fear of many westerners, including many governments. They are constantly being required to be cleaner than clean, more law abiding than the law, and totally immune to insults, injury, and blatant discrimination.

Lastly, you have the cowards who have done the most harm to Islam and Muslims. These are the so-called jihadist, mujahideen, right wing fundo whacko Sunni Wahabbi extremist terrorists. Based on some inexplicable lust for violence, death, killing, "martyrdom," or notoriety, these killers are intent upon destroying whatever shred of independence or wealth that may be left among Muslims. They hide themselves in caves and teeming cities, emerging only to wreak havoc, death, and destruction upon innocent civilians - who just happen to be overwhelmingly Muslim.

President Mohammad Khatami of Iran said it beautifully when he stated at Harvard that "those who make life a hell for others on earth will never find heaven in the next life."