.After the ridiculous and insulting comments made by @tedcruz, let's show him what is in a #MuslimNeighborhood. pic.twitter.com/3RHIUOKkOc
— Hazel Gómez (@Palunquita) March 22, 2016
Muslim Americans have turned to Twitter to show images of their own neighborhoods and daily lives with the hashtag #MuslimNeighborhood. These images are a respponse to US Presidential candidate Ted Cruz's suggestion to increase national security by patrolling Muslim communities in the US.
After the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, US Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz released an official statement, calling for police to “patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized.” Cruz also said to "immediately halt the flow of refugees from countries with a significant al Qaida or ISIS presence."
Cruz's rival and front-runner for the Republican Party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump, praised and supported Cruz's plan as a "good idea" in a CNN interview.
Since Cruz’s statement, both Muslims and non-Muslims have taken to social media to show people just what Muslim neighborhoods are really like (Spoiler alert: they look like any other neighborhood.)
In my #MuslimNeighborhood you'll find people distributing clean water to the victims of the Flint Water Crisis pic.twitter.com/EBcAEGvRDJ
— Ruba Odeh (@ruba_odeh1) March 23, 2016
In my Muslim #MuslimNeighborhood , we vote like all good and responsible citizens of this beautiful country ! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JQ3NsOPkm6
— Abdullah T. Antepli (@aantepli) March 23, 2016
In my #MuslimNeighborhood we get a little ridiculous in front of the camera when we get bored on Sundays pic.twitter.com/C4lCbegbzr
— Suehaila Amen (@SuehailaAmen) March 23, 2016
#MuslimNeighborhood
— Mark Bravura (@memphomofo) March 23, 2016
I live near Arlington cemetery. These heroes who gave their lives 4 our country are my neighbors pic.twitter.com/0etG9wX9yS
At my #MuslimNeighborhood aunties be spying on everyone like pic.twitter.com/0wUsWOytfU
— Mihrimah_Irena (@Mihrimah_Irena) March 23, 2016
In my #MuslimNeighborhood, you'll find people planting trees to beautify the area and boarding up abandoned homes. pic.twitter.com/d6spbzoCf0
— Hazel Gómez (@Palunquita) March 23, 2016
American girls giggle and laugh walking home from school in my #MuslimNeighborhood. Scary? Nope. pic.twitter.com/9M7jL2C1vx
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) March 23, 2016
In my #MuslimNeighborhood, you can find us feeding the homeless planting trees & helping the poor in other countries pic.twitter.com/Qb7RCVQIQx
— Zenun Vucetovic (@ZenunVucetovic) March 23, 2016
People mentioned the food and family activities they take part in.
Don't knock a #MuslimNeighborhood until you have lived in one, @tedcruz. I'll take you to dinner. pic.twitter.com/LsXOWKl3f1
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) March 23, 2016
@tedcruz In my #muslimneighborhood u will find my 3 yr old nephew ignoring my pleas 2 put away his toys & go 2 bed. pic.twitter.com/JmGMjdxKTO
— Suehaila Amen (@SuehailaAmen) March 22, 2016
Hey @tedcruz, when you're patrolling my #MuslimNeighborhood, stop by for some good food! pic.twitter.com/X42mHNCJ3r
— Sam Fathallah (@SamFathallah) March 23, 2016
She tried to confront my kid about not finishing breakfast;had to call for back up, Elmo came
— Asma (@LibyanBentBladi) March 23, 2016
#MuslimNeighborhoodpic.twitter.com/08kmFumVf1
Some directly addressed Ted Cruz and Donald Trump in their comments.
My #MuslimNeighborhood recognizes hate crimes & doesn't brush it under the rug. Ur ignorance causes hate @tedcruzpic.twitter.com/62Ko9xk4mr
— Suehaila Amen (@SuehailaAmen) March 23, 2016
President @tedcruz or @realDonaldTrump scares me. My neighbors do not. #MuslimNeighborhoodpic.twitter.com/nhxXbmfDc7
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) March 23, 2016
Another #MuslimNeighborhood@TedCruz needs to patrol: Congress pic.twitter.com/kEPIh8d7dF
— Blue DuPage (@BlueDuPage) March 24, 2016
Hey @tedcruz pick which two of us are Muslim and patrol us. #MuslimNeighborhoodpic.twitter.com/eeulivdF1o
— Ashley Spry (@Ashley_spry09) March 23, 2016
Hey @tedcruz come patrol my #MuslimNeighborhood. It's called Houston, TX. Oh wait, that's your neighborhood, too.
— justin cronin (@jccronin) March 23, 2016
@tedcruz good luck trying to distinguish a #MuslimNeighborhood from any other because Muslims are an integral part of the American fabric
— Ayesha Ahmed (@ayeshaahmed132) March 23, 2016
More than one billion people in the world practice Islam. That’s 23 percent of the global population. The actions and ideology of Islamic extremists should never be considered reflective of the Muslim population as a whole. This point has been repeatedly emphasized by US President Barack Obama and leaders in the Muslim American community.
There is no difference between a “Muslim” neighborhood and an “American” neighborhood. And that's what Twitter users are trying to make clear to Ted Cruz and Donald Trump through #MuslimNeighborhood.