"For Amina Sharif, communication director of the Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the mainstream interest in Islam and Muslims began after September 11, but the negative feelings were always there. "For Sharif much of the blame lies with the media and popular culture in the US, which she says is often "orientalist and slanted" in its depiction of Muslims and Islam."

"It [Bin Ladens' death] brings closure for the families of 9/11, and all Americans, and hopefully brings closure on an era," said Rehab. "I hope now we can usher in a new era that focuses more on the Arab Spring which is the reality now, and less on the so-called War on Terror."