The New York Times faced criticism on Friday for allegedly portraying Muslims as the primary victims of the September 11 attacks in 2021. However, the newspaper responded, labeling this criticism as a “disingenuous” effort to incite anger.
Tim Graham, the executive editor of NewsBusters, noted that the Times seems to reflect on 9/11 through a lens of “anti-Muslim prejudice” and a “wave of hate.”
In a piece titled “After 9/11, Islamophobia Shaped a Generation of Muslim New Yorkers,” the Times highlighted how the attacks sparked a surge of hostility, but, paradoxically, also saw an increase in political and cultural engagement from the Muslim American community.
Reports by Times journalists Liam Stack and Maya King explored how relationships soured between once-friendly neighbors and American Muslims following the attacks. They suggested many Muslims have endured years of suspicion and hostility.
Many Muslim New Yorkers organized in response to this Islamophobia, according to Stack and King. Mosques formed legal clinics, small businesses became critical components of a citywide civil rights network, and alliances among Muslims of various backgrounds emerged in ways that had never been seen before. Their political involvement later contributed to the election of the city’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Yet, the article contends that anti-Muslim sentiment persists, reflecting the prejudices that surfaced after 9/11.
As the anniversary of the attacks approached—marking the tragic loss of 2,977 lives—the Times pointed out the scars left on many Muslim American communities due to excessive law enforcement measures and the animosity they continue to face from some classmates, coworkers, and politicians who, at times, have unfairly blamed all Muslims for the violence of that day.
Afaf Nasher, the executive director for the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, reflected on this sentiment by stating that Muslim Americans felt “pushed against the wall,” faced with the choice to retreat or resist. She mentioned that political empowerment symbolizes the latter, a sentiment echoed in the Times report.
Stack and King highlighted Mamdani’s rise as perhaps a beacon of American Muslim success in the aftermath of 9/11, but they also noted ongoing challenges. These include surveillance by law enforcement, public backlash against prominent Muslims in various sectors, and restrictions on Islamic practices like mosque construction and religious attire. They mentioned that individuals of other faiths, particularly observant Sikhs, also face misunderstandings linked to their appearance.
In discussing the environment post-9/11, the report referenced a Pew Research Center survey indicating that many American adults perceive Muslims as less patriotic than others, frequently pointing to the 9/11 attacks as justification.
The criticism wasn’t limited to just the portrayal in the Times but extended to perceptions that only a one-sided, supportive view of Muslims was presented, particularly relative to adverse sentiments from political figures or groups. Graham criticized the media’s handling of these issues, noting discrepancies in narratives about Islamophobia.
Despite the backlash, the Times defended its reporting, claiming that the critique represents a misrepresentation aimed solely at drawing attention. They asserted their long-standing commitment to accurately reporting on the implications and societal changes resulting from the September 11 attacks, emphasizing the breadth and depth of their coverage over the past quarter-century.
