Habib Zaatar, CEO, Zorona.com of Dearborn, Michigan, where 350,000 Arabs live said there is much less traffic in Arab businesses. Zorona is a web portal linking Arab-Americans with the Middle East. "At Zorona, we rely heavily on advertising revenues from American businesses that want to showcase their products and services to Arab consumers," said Zaatar. "Already some companies have backed away from promises to work with us and we have had cancellations for advertising." Zaatar explained that patronage of Arab businesses has decreased by in up to 40% and "Americans of all ethnic backgrounds are boycotting our businesses, not one specific group or another." The drop in business is particularly visible at Arab restaurants.

The Arab community finds it difficult to overcome the bias. Community leaders have been attempting to enlighten journalists about Islam and Arab-Americans. Arabs and Muslims reiterate at every opportunity that the terrorist attacks were the actions of individuals not of a religion or nation. "However," said Zaatar, "the Jewish PR machine is very effective and strong. For every one piece of coverage we get in the media they get 1000. All Muslims must work harder and longer to get the word out that Islam is a religion of peace."

Zaatar was not surprised at the hit the American stock markets took this week. "The US economy was slowing before the attacks and economically everything will be much worse now," he said. "The US economy relies on efficient shipping and transport and those sectors were badly damaged by the attacks." Thirty percent layoffs have been announced at some companies. The misery in the economy will spread as American consumers cut back. They won't go on trips to Disney World. Those who are laid off can't buy new homes, cars or clothes. Soon most US companies will be forced to downsize. The question is, will people remember that a recession was already coming or will they blame all their economic woes on the terrorist attacks?"

Zaatar has no confidence that the economic situation in the US will rapidly improve and he believes this will be a disaster for the Arab and Muslim world. "As the economy deteriorates, the US government will get more and more desperate," he said emphatically. "The previous administration had a stronger grip on foreign policy. This government did not even start to put any reasonable policy in place in regards to problems in Palestine or Afghanistan before the attacks. Now that they are on a 'crusade against terrorism,' I fear that their policy will be a reaction rather than a calculated campaign."