Hurricane relief workers experience prejudice
Shirien Elmasraya
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
Imagine trying to save someone on the verge of death, but they refuse. No, they are not insane or suffering from depression - they are prejudiced.
The room was dim. Dark, wooden walls surrounded him as he was being filmed on camera. He leaned forward in his chair, slowly telling the chilling stories he encountered after the hit of Hurricane Katrina. The darkness of the room coincided with the darkness that surrounded his narrative.
"It was like a ghost town. It was like a horror movie," said Islamic Relief worker Ruben Vaughan. "You saw helicopters, humvees and you saw dogs, some were dead. And then you'd see cats and some were dead. And you wouldn't really see anybody else."
As he explained the situation, those who were interviewing him looked on as if they were frozen in time - as if they were in complete disbelief.
"We [Muslims] are a small group here, but we were able to help people in mass scale," Vaughan said. "The best thing we've been able to do is to deal with people individually, let them know we're Muslim, and even though you aren't Muslim, we can still help you. We can still get along, we can have a friendship and learn from each other."
Vaughan was being interviewed for a documentary produced by Leechon Films, a Muslim owned and operated film company, to debut at LSU in August.
The film is called "Tufaan," which is Arabic for "Great Storm." It is about the stories of the Muslim victims and relief workers of Katrina.
"If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam, that we aren't aliens, that we aren't foreign and that Islam comprises of every race and background out there, then they can realize that they don't have to fear Islam," Vaughan said.
During the first week after the hurricane, Vaughan said he saw two very different reactions from non-Muslims who saw Muslim volunteers driving supplies.
"I remember there were a group of brothers bringing supplies to the affected areas," said Vaughan. "On their trip they were asked by different people what they were doing. One group of people would say, 'We don't need your help. You can just take it back.' And the other group of people would load up their cars and help them on their [the brothers'] way."
The room was dim. Dark, wooden walls surrounded him as he was being filmed on camera. He leaned forward in his chair, slowly telling the chilling stories he encountered after the hit of Hurricane Katrina. The darkness of the room coincided with the darkness that surrounded his narrative.
"It was like a ghost town. It was like a horror movie," said Islamic Relief worker Ruben Vaughan. "You saw helicopters, humvees and you saw dogs, some were dead. And then you'd see cats and some were dead. And you wouldn't really see anybody else."
As he explained the situation, those who were interviewing him looked on as if they were frozen in time - as if they were in complete disbelief.
"We [Muslims] are a small group here, but we were able to help people in mass scale," Vaughan said. "The best thing we've been able to do is to deal with people individually, let them know we're Muslim, and even though you aren't Muslim, we can still help you. We can still get along, we can have a friendship and learn from each other."
Vaughan was being interviewed for a documentary produced by Leechon Films, a Muslim owned and operated film company, to debut at LSU in August.
The film is called "Tufaan," which is Arabic for "Great Storm." It is about the stories of the Muslim victims and relief workers of Katrina.
"If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam, that we aren't aliens, that we aren't foreign and that Islam comprises of every race and background out there, then they can realize that they don't have to fear Islam," Vaughan said.
During the first week after the hurricane, Vaughan said he saw two very different reactions from non-Muslims who saw Muslim volunteers driving supplies.
"I remember there were a group of brothers bringing supplies to the affected areas," said Vaughan. "On their trip they were asked by different people what they were doing. One group of people would say, 'We don't need your help. You can just take it back.' And the other group of people would load up their cars and help them on their [the brothers'] way."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
Patrick The Atheist
posted 3/28/08 @ 6:19 AM CST
Shirien, I see your point but Muslims were hardly the only group to experience prejudice and mistreatment during Katrina. I'm always interested to hear about other perspectives on the tragedy but it would be nice to provide a broader look. (Continued…)
New Orleans News Ladder
posted 3/28/08 @ 6:28 AM CST
Thank you for this article.
You noted:
"Leechon Films plans to donate a percentage of the money made by selling DVDs of the documentary to the hurricane recovery effort. (Continued…)
Kristian A
posted 3/28/08 @ 8:37 AM CST
>>If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam, that we aren't aliens, that we aren't foreign and that Islam comprises of every race and background out there, then they can realize that they don't have to fear Islam," Vaughan said. (Continued…)
anomymous
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:17 AM CST
Why do you think it is that they were afraid of Muslims? Why do you think they see lots of negative things in the media.?
If accusing frightened, starving people of prejudice is an example of your compassion it's hardly surprising they don't like you. (Continued…)
Smith
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:22 AM CST
"If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam, that we aren't aliens, that we aren't foreign and that Islam comprises of every race and background out there, then they can realize that they don't have to fear Islam," Vaughan said. (Continued…)
presley
posted 3/28/08 @ 12:12 PM CST
Yeah, Adam was a Muslim, Eve wore the hijab, Moses and Elijah and yes even Jesus were Muslims! Islam is the source and inspiration for every great architectural and scientific achievement in history! We'd still be chasing rabbits and scurrying back to our caves if it hadn't been for Islam! You people don't even know how pathetic you sound. (Continued…)
Definintion of Muslim
posted 3/28/08 @ 12:19 PM CST
Great Article! Just to clarify some people's points
Muslim is defined as one who submits to God alone. So with that definition all the prophets were monotheists, therefore they were Muslims. (Continued…)
Shawn Schneider
posted 3/28/08 @ 12:20 PM CST
"If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam, that we aren't aliens, that we aren't foreign and that Islam comprises of every race and background out there, then they can realize that they don't have to fear Islam," Vaughan said. (Continued…)
Lee
posted 3/28/08 @ 4:14 PM CST
"If people who aren't Muslim just realize that Islam has been around since the first man Adam"
What? That's a total fabrication. Islam has "been around" since the early 7th century AD, when Mohamet claimed he began receiving revelations while in a cave. (Continued…)
New Orleans News Ladder
posted 3/28/08 @ 4:46 PM CST
Ms.Elmasraya, thank you for your promt and kind comment and for answering my questions regarding the destination of said "donations"!
There is such a misunderstanding of Islam in this country due in no small measure to confusion enough as to the relationship between Arab and African American schools of thought and the community's place in decidedly secular American culture. (Continued…)
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