LOS ANGELES: . For Muslim Americans, the months since Sept 11 have been a wrenching experience that has brought both the best of times and the worst of times - opening the door to broader acceptance in US society, but then in effect slamming it on their fingers at a time when they might be able to make a valuable contribution.

For those who have eagerly been working in recent years to move Muslims from the margins to the mainstream of US society, the events threatened a horrendous setback. And subsequent weeks have brought a mix of public support and disheartening treatment.

Some Muslim American leaders have worked to educate a somewhat isolationist community about civic responsibilities and rights and to nudge it into US public life.

These democrats have had an impact. A recent poll of Muslims shows that 96 per cent embrace involvement in civic life, and are active on a wide range of concerns.

Certain aftereffects of Sept 11 have further encouraged that stance. Never has the Muslim community had more public visibility and official recognition, more access to the news media, more of their neighbors rushing to buy the Holy Quran or interested in learning about Islam.

America’s new vulnerability afflicts them more intensely than others, since the fears of further terrorist acts are compounded by the suspicion now clouding many of their lives. The domestic antiterrorism campaign that reassures the majority of Americans is having the opposite effect on Muslims. While they recognize it as aimed at criminals, many experience it as overreaching.

The closing down of Muslim charities during Ramazan affected thousands of families, creating consternation over whether they have fulfilled one of the essential obligations of the faith— Zakat. Many had just made donations days before the government froze all assets.

Many are not convinced the charities have terrorist links and say the government should take them to court. No evidence of a link has been disclosed. Muslims seek disclosure and due process, to end rumours both about the charities and the hundreds of what they term secret detentions. Groups like American Muslim Alliance are providing details on the Patriot Act to help Muslims deal with experiences they may face.

As the US seeks to change perspectives in the Muslim world it is overlooking what their community represents: family and friends in many countries, a grasp of both cultures, familiarity with thinking on the streets.

They could inform US policymaking and be a credible voice to ordinary Muslims. It is clear to American Muslims that “we need to identify, isolate, and weed out fringe elements,” says Arsalan Iftikhar, Midwest representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. —Dawn/LATS Service (c) Christian Science Monitor