I would like to start off by dedicating this article to the millions of Muslim Americans. I know it hasn't been easy growing up around all the ignorance and stereotypes, but never lose the love for your culture and faith. It is something so pure and beautiful, and the world would be lost without it.

Before I begin the actual article I would like to point out that I am not Muslim nor have I ever faced Islamophobia. Everything that I am about to write is from the standpoint of an 18 year old white girl. Since that's the case, I thought it was necessary to include the voice of another girl, an 18 year old Muslim girl named Nawshin Khan.

The past few months have been extremely hard for the Muslim community. So many Americans are blinded by fear and stereotypes that they don't pay attention to the awful things that are happening. I'm not going to be able to talk about every awful thing the Muslim community has faced in the past few months because sadly there are still attacks happening today but I want everyone to understand that they are happening.

This past summer, at the beginning of Ramadan, Israel cut the water supply to Palestine. During Ramadan, families fast the whole day, and they don't even drink water. But when the sun sets, they pray and are able to feast and drink. But having their water supply cut meant that they could not drink at the end of the day, not even after fasting all day. Many people may believe that the Muslim people are doing this to themselves, that it's a Muslim vs. Muslim crime, but the majority of people in those countries are just innocent civilians with no way out. What Israel did to Palestine is something no Muslim would ever do to someone, especially during the holy month. The worst part is this isn't even the worst attack; there are bombing and attacks every single day.

In these past few months, there have been countless terrorist attacks, and it is a sad time to be alive. But when there was a terrorist attack in Paris or in Brussels, the media and the world stood behind them. Everyone changed their profile pictures on social media and donated money, and did whatever they could do to help. Every day there are terrorist attacks on innocent people in the Middle East but no one stands behind them. There is no media attention or donations coming in. Instead they face more hate. "What Muslims are sick of is the world ignoring their problems and being painted as the problem."-Nawshin Khan

There is another Muslim holiday coming up called Eid al-Adha. The day it occurs on depends on the lunar calendar and this year there are speculations that it falls on a day that is the reason many Americans have Islamophobia: September 11th. This year is the 15th anniversary of the attack and there is already media outcry over Eid al-Adha potentially falling on the same day. Those terrorist attacks were performed by a very small group of Muslim extremists, the Al Qaeda. Even though the act was performed by a very small group of Muslim extremists, people are still scared and fear leads to ignorance. People aren't focusing on the real issues, they are focusing on the issues that are fueled by their ignorance. After the 9/11 attack, former President George W. Bush made a speech about the hate Muslim Americans were facing after the attack. "America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect."

That quote still remains true today. With everything happening in their own community, they are still willing to respect the U.S. and our tragedy. So I ask you, whomever is reading this, to not give any hate on Eid al-Adha, and to understand the sacrifice that Muslim Americans are making so they can respect their country as well as their culture. I know one article is not going to stop any wars or end Islamophobia but I'm hoping it will encourage you to speak up if you hear someone spreading hate on September 11th, 12th, or any day of the year. It is the least we can do.

I would like to end this article with a special thank you. Thank you to the girl who was able to paint a picture of how beautiful the Muslim community is behind all the stereotypes. Thank you Nawshin for sharing your culture with me. I hope you never lose the pride that I hear in your voice every time you tell me about being a Muslim American.