Updated: November 19, 2016
Originally Published: October 13, 2016
A heartbreaking incident occurred in Cary, North Carolina, involving a 7-year-old Muslim boy named Amir. After getting off the school bus last Friday, Amir was visibly bruised and shaken. Imagine being his mother, witnessing your child come home in such distress. According to reports from the Huffington Post, Amir shared that a classmate attempted to make him eat food that wasn’t halal—food that is prepared according to Islamic law. When Amir refused, five classmates allegedly attacked him, hitting him in the face, kicking him in the stomach, and twisting his arm while repeatedly calling him “Muslim.”
Amir’s father, Kamal, posted a photo of his injured son on social media, expressing his anguish. The caption read, “Welcome to America. My son Amir is in first grade, bullied and beaten by classmates on the school bus for being Muslim.” Kamal highlighted the alarming rise in Islamophobia over the past year. In 2015, the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reported at least 260 anti-Muslim hate crimes, the highest number since 2001—a staggering 80 percent increase from the previous year.
This spike in hate crimes appears to correlate with the inflammatory rhetoric from political figures, particularly Donald Trump, who has made derogatory comments about the Muslim community and advocated for a ban on Muslim immigration. Such statements have created an environment where individuals like Amir are bullied and harmed simply for their faith.
Kamal emphasized Amir’s American identity, stating, “He was born and raised here. He loves Captain America and dreams of being president.” Despite his family’s contributions—Kamal is a distinguished Fulbright scholar and a computer scientist focused on combating terrorism—Amir and his family no longer feel secure in the U.S. Following the attack, they decided to relocate to Pakistan for safety. “It’s disheartening and sad. This is not the America we want to live in,” Kamal lamented.
The Wake County School District has stated they are investigating but noted that neither the bus driver nor any other students witnessed the incident. This raises serious concerns about the validation of Amir’s experience as a young boy who suffered emotional trauma and physical harm.
Clearly, the bullying and violence Amir faced illustrate a significant issue within our society—when children feel unsafe in their own communities, it’s time to reflect on our collective values. Hate and intolerance are being fostered at home, and it is our responsibility to ensure that all children feel safe and accepted, whether at school or beyond.
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Summary:
A Muslim boy named Amir was bullied and assaulted by classmates on a school bus in North Carolina after refusing to eat non-halal food. His father expressed concern over the rise in Islamophobia and the emotional toll of the attack, prompting the family to move to Pakistan for safety. This incident highlights the urgent need to address hate and intolerance within our communities.