Thousands of people in the U.S., including Muslims, perished in the unthinkable tragedy that took place on September 11 in New York and Washington D.C. But as we mourn, we should not lose sight of the deeper and far-reaching repercussions as the acute shock that has befallen both the West and the world continues.

The U.S. government is decidedly angered and seemingly pursuing a policy bordering more on revenge, rather than measured response. And the world is on the brink of war, as eyes focus on a group of culprits, allegedly "Muslim". 

As a result, the phenomenon of "Islamophobia" and the incidence of violence aimed at race and religion have emerged. Muslims and non-Muslims alike have been victims of rampant and seemingly unabated hate-crimes aimed solely towards their religion or nationality. 

But while governments charged with protecting Muslims have responsibilities toward properly seeking justice as opposed to revenge, so too do Muslims have a responsibility to mobilize the community into unified causes aimed at presenting a true picture of Islam and Muslims as productive members of society.

But what is the role of Muslims living in the West in this climate? An IslamOnline think-tank has a few proposals. While much of the following focuses on American Muslims, it is intended as a document aimed at all Muslims living in the West, as many of their experiences are not just similar, but often intertwined.

Task One: Coming Out - The Politics of Presence 
Islamic organizations have been exerting a great deal of effort towards fostering solidarity within the American Muslim community and defending their members' civil rights as Americans.

Task Two: Activism, Inclusion and the Decision-Making Process
Dialogues of all sorts, inter-faith and inter-cultural, have been going on for decades; yet they have been strictly intellectual and elitist.

Task Three: Improving Channels of Communication 
News and views are now available via a multitude of alternate sources. The Internet has become a democratic domain that can enable us not only to communicate across cultures, but more importantly, interact and network with all those who aspire for a more just and humanitarian world.

Task Four: In Defense of Civil Rights and Liberties
With the accelerating preparations for war in Central Asia and a threat to attack "terrorism" globally, or specifically in the Muslim world, the atmosphere of hostility and tension has allowed for public silence towards harsh security measures that violate human rights, and threaten civil rights and democracy. 

Task Five: Stop the War Machine
Instead of resorting to military retaliation, an angry American government and society, and its allies, should refrain from being blinded by revenge and pre-existing agendas merely awaiting the proper catalyst to set them in motion.

Task Six: Becoming True Examples of Islam
All these proposed tasks will not succeed unless we believe in reforming our vision and understanding of Islam in a New World.