American Muslims are as concerned about extremism and terrorism as other citizens. Their families and friends in "the old country" have been the primary victims of terrorist attacks. Like other Americans, Muslims were also victims; they too lost loved ones and friends in the 9/11 attacks. [[John L Esposito]] <ref> [http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/12/2009121784234277996.html Muslims part of US social fabric.] By [[John L Esposito]] (professor at Georgetown University.) </ref>
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== Influential Arab Americans ==
* Khalil Gibran known as Gibran Khalil Gibran.
* Ameen Rihani, author of ''The Book of Khalid''.
* William Peter Blatty, author of ''The Exorcist'', son of Lebanese parents.
* Alec E. Gores, businessman, Forbes list of billionaires.
* Steve Jobs, businessman, Apple.
* Ralph Nader, presidential candidate of Lebanese parents.
* Ray LaHood, Congressman (R-Ill.) and U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2009– ) of Lebanese and Jordanian ancestry.
* Frank Zappa, musician.
* Emilio Estefan, composer.
* Paul Anka, singer, composer.
* Donna Shalala, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (1993–2001).
* Mostafa El-Sayed, US National Medal of Science laureate.
* Joseph Farah, author, publisher of [[WorldNetDaily]]
* Casey Kasem, radio personality.
* John Zogby, pollster
== Myths about Muslims in America ==
Although the majority of Arab-Americans are Christian and also, most Muslims aren't Arab it is important to face some myths, specially as there is a general confusion about Arabs and Muslims in America.
* American Muslims are foreigners: Islam was in America even before there was a United States.
* American Muslims are ethnically, culturally and politically monolithic: The American Muslim community is the most diverse Muslim community in the world.
* American Muslims oppress women: Muslim American women are not only more educated than Muslim women in Western Europe, but are also more educated than the average American. U.S. Muslim women report incomes closer to their male counterparts than American women of any other religion.
* American Muslims often become “homegrown” terrorists: The largest single source of initial information on planned terrorist attacks by Muslims in the United States was the Muslim American community. ''Many (Millions) American Muslims are peaceful and define jihad primarily as an internal struggle to improve.'' (Marvin Olasky).
* American Muslims want to bring sharia law to the United States: Muslim jurists agree on the principal objectives of sharia: the protection and promotion of life, religion, intellect, property, family and dignity. None of this includes turning the United States into a caliphate. <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-muslims-in-america/2011/03/30/AFePWOIC_story.html Five myths about Muslims in America.] Reisal Abdul Rauf. </ref>
== See also ==