ABSTRACT
The federal government discusses the backlash against Muslims, Arabs, South Asians, and Sikhs. Within months, a Special Counsel on Post-9/11 National Origin Discrimination was established at the Department of Justice. The Sikh experience with post-9/11 backlash has been one of shock and frustration, but also of courage and steadfastness. The Sikh community has met these challenges in a commendable fashion, resisting the temptation to deflect attention to other religious groups. Nationwide in 2000, there were 28 hate crime incidents against Muslims reported to the FBI from all sources, including federal, state, and local law enforcement. In addition, enforcement of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), enacted in 2000, was assigned to the Civil Rights Division, and the Special Counsel was tasked with developing enforcement mechanisms. The Civil Rights Division has seen issues involving turbans arise in a wide variety of the statutes it enforces, including public facilities, public accommodation, employment, and education.
