Mar Salgado
segunda-feira, maio 10:
ANTENA ISLÂMICA: The real dilemma occurred, however, when we were debating her surname. Typically, the father's surname is passed down to children, making it the "family name." My husband's surname is Shahzad. (No other shoe will drop: His first name is not Faisal). Shahzad means "prince" in Persian. My husband's parents gave him that name despite the fact that his family name is actually Sheriff.
Faced with whether to pass on Shahzad or Sheriff, we chose the latter. I felt passing on the true family name would give her a sense of continuity and place. While watching TV Tuesday morning, the news channels announced the arrest of Faisal Shahzad . I had just made the best decision of my life.
What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. For American Muslims, however, a name is a very loaded thing. Since Sept. 11, when names like Muhammad, Ahmed, Abdul and Hasan appeared on the FBI 's terrorist watch list and the national psyche, American Muslims have been affected by their names like never before. When Muslim parents name their children now, that terrorist list hovers ominously in the back of their minds. For instance, a pregnant friend recently dropped the name Osman from her baby-naming list, fearing it sounded too much like Osama. (Osman was a beloved caliph and companion of the Prophet Muhammad). Several friends have skipped Muslim names altogether, opting for Western-sounding names like Ayden and Mona, something that vexes family matriarchs to no end. No one can blame these parents for their paranoia; a name that is even close to the names on the terrorist list can subject the bearer to painfully long background checks at airports, denials of job applications and stares at the bank, doctor's office and school. Bearers of overtly Muslim names are vulnerable to discrimination and open hostility.
Names are quickly catching up to color as factors in hate crimes.
posted by FNV on 10:55 da tarde
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