Excerpt:
During the Islamic Organization of North America's annual convention last year, experts identified what they consider the most pressing challenges for the Muslim community in Metro Detroit and elsewhere.
Among those ranking highest were drugs, mental health and atheism. But since then, another issue — Islamophobia — has become more problematic in the wake of an acrimonious presidential election and increasing alleged hate crimes against Muslims nationwide.
The environment is now so tense, some attendees to IONA's 12th gathering this weekend in downtown Detroit wonder whether their children should wear traditional garb for fear of attracting unwanted attention.