Hodan Hassan, a Somali-American running to represent Minnesota House District 62A, believes Muslims have been victimized since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
In a recently uncovered video from 2011, Hassan detailed how Muslims in the United States have been negatively impacted by the 9/11 attacks, saying there has been “a lot of negative experiences.”
“My experience post-9/11 has been a lot of negative experiences as a Muslim, especially as a Muslim woman in the United States,” Hassan said in the video. “There has been many incidents where people have been targeted, where people have experienced discrimination, name calling, vandalism of mosques.”
Hassan said she continues to love America, but claims the country’s treatment of Muslims has changed since 9/11. Hassan cites changes in airport security as a way Muslims have been unfairly targeted, alleging “anybody can pick on you” at the airport if you have a Muslim last name.
“Whether it’s schools, whether it’s laws, whether it’s everyday experiences,” Hassan said. “We live to experience that. It’s been a lot of negative experiences.”
Islamophobia, according to Hassan, flared up after 9/11 and continues to be “problematic” for Muslims in the United States. She claims Muslims have to “look at the TV everyday” and see a Muslim country or person being targeted because of Islamophobia.
“We’re trying to teach people that there are positive things about Islam,” Hassan said. “We’re a peaceful people. We’re not all terrorists, we’re not all out there trying to kill people. There is only a minor radical group.”
The comments from 2011 were made when Hassan was a social activist. Now running for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Hassan has not yet clarified her comments on 9/11.
Watch the video below:
