Rit on Tv - Muslim in america

>>ANCHOR: There’s no doubt that the events of 9/11 affected every American. Among them, 2 million Muslin Americans, some of whom became subject to discrimination and prejudice. Has that sentiment changed over the past decade? Well, we asked Angela Hong to find out. She joins us now to tell us what she found out today. Angela? >>REPORTER: Don, today I spoke to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Most of them seem to say that Americans’ sentiments are more tolerant and accepting of the Islamic faith, but a recent poll just released says that nearly half Americans are uncomfortable with Muslims and that may take a while before that changes. Friday afternoon, nearly 100 Muslim RIT students stand shoulder to shoulder for prayer. Some of these college students were just 8-years-old at the time of the 9/11 attacks, but like all Americans they have lived with the consequences. >>NADIA KHAN: It’s humanity, you know. You don’t like seeing anything like that happening anywhere in the world, and of course not in our own country. >>REPORTER: A new Gallop poll shows that nearly half of all Muslim Americans have faced some sort of discrimination, more than all major religions. >>YILMAZ YORUK: It's not a good thing that we're all scapegoats for just one particular group of people. We all got fitted into this one category of radical people. >>REPORTER: But 9/11 raised questions about Islam, and questions led to answers and, for some, understanding. >>JUDI LABBADIA: I have no hate for anyone. What 19 people did 10 years ago has nothing to do with the other Muslims. I do feel that people now do understand Muslims a lot more than they did before. >>NADIA KAHN: I would say that they've definitely become more educated than before, but I think there's still a lot more to learn. >>REPORTER: These students have taken it upon themselves to clear up misconceptions about >>NADIA KAHN: We all are ambassadors of our religions. It doesn't matter what faith you belong to. You represent your religion. If anything, my parents told me to stand up for what I believe in and stand for the truth. >>REPORTER: And they hope there will come a day when they don’t have to defend their faith anymore. >>YILMAZ YORUK: Just because of the actions of this one group it’s something we have to live with for a while. I don't know how much longer. I hope that will wear off soon. >>REPORTER: Now the same poll found that only a small portion of Muslim Americans feel bias in their everyday lives. The students I spoke to today said that if anyone ever approaches them with a concern or a question about their faith, they are eager to set the record straight. Don, back to you. >>ANCHOR: Alright, Angela, thank you for your report from the campus today.