A 12 year old Muslim asks: Mom, why am I afraid in Trump’s America?

[I received the following from a reader. I have withheld the names and other details to protect her family.]

Steve,

My daughter is 12 and she is the most positive, happy person I know. She lives in each moment and shows immense gratitude. I learn from her every day. We have been learning about Civil Rights movements and comparing Apartheid in South Africa to the US Civil Rights movement of the 60s. I didn’t expect my daughter to internalize these lessons and connect them to what happened over the past week.

Dear Mom,

Why did Trump become president? I am scared. I am scared to tell people I am Muslim. I am scared to wear hijab. I am scared to be myself. Why do I feel so scared?

I know everyone tells me to be Muslim is  a gift but right now I feel scared to be Muslim. I feel scared.

I am scared to stand up for myself. I am afraid that some people that work for Trump are going to come to our house and arrest us for no reason like what they did in South Africa.

You said things have not changed for African Americans so why would they change for Muslims? Sometimes I am afraid to go to the masjid. I am afraid someone will bomb the masjid.

Why am I afraid to be Muslim?

Why am I so afraid?

Why do I not feel safe any more?

Please help me feel safe again.

This is the letter that inspired the event Stand For Muslim Children on Wednesday, February 15 at 5:45pm – 7:45pm at Masjid Al Islam, 40 Sayles Hill Rd, North Smithfield.