Terrorism remains a major challenge affecting different regions across the world today. Any form of attack is capable of claiming many lives and destroying existing critical infrastructures. The terrorist acts of 9/11 remain a historical moment that many Americans relate to and use when describing this vice against humanity. After this attack, a new wave of Islamophobia emerged in the west since many people started to view Muslims as possible terrorists. This assertion and understanding forced Americans to target Muslims and other individuals from the Arab world. According to many citizens, there was a significant relationship between Islam and terrorism (Nelson et al. 309). The emerging persecution and discrimination targeted followers of this religion. Many people in different western countries were the ones behind such racial prejudice.
A majority of citizens in different parts of the world feared that the decision to tolerate Muslims and their sympathizers in their respective countries could create the best environment for possible terrorist attacks. The death and pain of past events became the primary source of fear. Victims suffered prejudice and mistreatment from different members of the community. Some even demanded the government to exile all Muslims who had a questionable history or were supposedly capable of engaging in terrorist attacks (Nelson et al. 312). Many analysts still believe that hate crimes and profiling continue to take place even in the present day. These malpractices and misbehaviors compare to the Salem witch hunts in a number of ways. For instance, they both represent a unique form of discrimination against specific members of society. They also triggered social panic and made it impossible for the targeted individuals to pursue their goals and lead their lives as free citizens.
References
Nelson, Matthew S., et al. “Hate Crimes in Post-9/11 Pennsylvania: Case Characteristics and Police Response Revisited.” Race and Justice, vol. 6, no. 4, 2016, pp. 303-324.