Muslim-Americans still face social dissent
In the past year and a half, public anti-Muslim sentiments have become increasingly toxic and vitriolic. A Florida pastor threatened to burn Qurans, gaining worldwide media attention. The proposed mosque in Nashville, Tenn., has faced protests, arson, graffiti and even gunshots. The great state of Oklahoma has even passed an overwhelming referendum that banned the use of "Sharia law" in the state. Nationally, overall Gallup poll data shows that American impressions of Islam have decreased in favorability in the last five years. Muslim-American claims now comprise 25 percent of discrimination claims to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Tea Party-leaning politicians increasingly argue that Muslims will never be able to assimilate into America, some even stating that all Muslim-Americans are a threat to ?"normal" Americans.