The influence of September 11 on the relations between non-Arab and Arab Americans in Detroit, Michiga

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore if September 11 had an influence on the relations between non-Arab and Arab Americans in Detroit. The data of the study were collected from 10 participants, five non-Arab and five Arab Americans. Through the interview questions, the perceptions of non-Arab and Arab Americans toward September 11 were tested. Of all participants, 30% were female, and 70% were male. Most of the participants were adults during the attacks of September 11. Only 20% were children and the other 80% were adults. The interviews were audio taped. Some of the discoveries of the study were: September 11 affected the relations between non-Arab and Arab Americans like those between Japanese and non-Japanese Americans after the attacks of Pearl Harbor in 1941, time heals wounds, the relations of non-Arab and Arab Americans are being restored, most non-Arab and Arab Americans respect one another, most participants thought nothing is impossible and the relations can be normal as they were before September 11, and almost 50% of the participants blamed the leaders for the negative results of September 11 and the deterioration of the relations between non-Arab and Arab Americans. The participants who blamed the leaders believed leaders and governments' role to fix the damages is greater than that of the people. The resultant main themes were (a) people, (b) religion, (c) war, (d) avoidance, (e) team working, (f) leaders' credibility, and (g) leaders.