The New York Times examines the mistreatment of Muslim converts in the United States. The article notes "men and women raised in this country, whose only tie to the Middle East or Southeast Asia is one of faith", have faced discrimination. For example:

• "Khalid Hakim, born Charles Karolik in Milwaukee, could not renew the document required to work as a merchant mariner because he refused to remove his kufi, a round knitted cap, for an identity photograph last year.
• "Dierdre Small and Stephanie Lewis drove New York City Transit buses for years wearing their hijabs, or head scarves, with no protest from supervisors. After 9/11 the women were ordered to remove the religious garments. They refused, and were transferred, along with two other Muslim converts, out of the public eye - to jobs vacuuming, cleaning and parking buses...."

At the end of the article, Mr. Hakim states: "I love my country.... He's asking me to choose between my country and my God. I can't do that."