Muslim-Americans Fear Backlash

NEW YORK (AP) - Muslims worried about a possible backlash against them after Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon (news - web sites), while clergy from other denominations urged their congregations to pray for the dead.

Gahzi Khankan, a Muslim leader, said he has been here before, sitting in his home watching TV images of a building turned to dust - the federal building in Oklahoma City.

	More Articles and Resources Prayer Circle Post your prayers for the victims and their families How you can help Talk about the tragedy Being Muslim in America Today By Michael Wolfe What Happens When You De-Sanctify Life By Michael Lerner Helping Kids Through a National Crisis By Jean Fitzpatrick

On Tuesday, he recalled the attacks against his fellow Muslims after that 1995 bombing by disgruntled Army veteran Timothy McVeigh (news - web sites). The Council on American-Islamic Relations says more than 200 Arab- and Muslim-Americans were victimized.

``Please do not start speculating and pointing the finger at us,'' said Khankan, a New York leader of the council.

The Islamic Association of Raleigh, N.C., and other groups representing Muslim- and Arab-Americans in that city, shut down a mosque and closed an Islamic school after receiving anonymous threats, said Wael Masri, an association member.

``There's a sense of fear, of panic,'' Masri said.

Continued on page 2: »