Khadija Khaja

One billion, or nearly one in five, people in the world are Muslim and in fifty countries they represent the majority of the population. The global priority since the attack on the World Trade Center towers has been to enforce the security of nations against Islamic terrorism. Rigid immigration/refugee policies, stricter surveillance of international travelers, and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to some calling this the age of turbulence and uncertainty. As a result, 48% of Muslims believe their emotional well-being has deteriorated. Muslims who embraced the west, calling it their home, now feel vulnerable and not wanted. They fear physical attacks, social prejudice, employment discrimination, deportation, immigration roadblocks, stigmatization, and incarceration. This emotional toll has led to feelings of shame, guilt, depression, panic, fear, alienation, and anxiety. Muslim families are worried about what the future holds for their children with post-traumatic stress disorders becoming evident in Muslim homes.

Dr. Khadija’s international study illustrates the impact of 9/11 on Muslims living in Australia, Argentina, Canada and the United States and provides recommendations about social service needs and appropriate cross-cultural interventions that will prove critical to maintaining the well being of Muslim communities.

Professor Khadija’s work determining the needs of Muslims in the current climate demonstrates how IUPUI's faculty members are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.