Unity in the Community
When I converted to Islam last year, I saw myself as a traveled, educated, culturally Catholic Irish-American journalist. Having lived with a Hindu family in India and Catholics in rural Ireland as well as in a variety of cities, large and small throughout America, I saw my universe as a sort-of Joseph's coat – one fabric with many colors. That coat fit me well. I saw Islam as a diverse religion of morality and discipline without a hierarchy which could become corrupt. From the outside, I saw the Muslim community as cohesive and effusively loving. I loved the form of salah (prayer) and the connection with God in praying five times a day.
After my conversion, the fabric of my coat gradually took on a different appearance for me. The colors faded and then my coat no longer fit me. As a new Muslim American wearing my original cultural colors, I learned that not everyone in the ummah (community) believed as I did about culture. I was amazed to learn that some well-educated Muslims, both those born in other countries and some born right here, did not seem to believe that Islam could stand up to the challenges of clear communication regarding the disparate Muslim cultures in our American society.
In my exploration of Muslim culture I began to hear expressions of "Muslims don’t believe in debate." "We don’t want to hurt others' feelings." When I suggested that adults join mainstream American groups in order to dispel myths about Islam, none expressed interest. When I remarked about various women in public life who identified as Muslim, rather than hearing comments on the women’s accomplishments I might hear, "I wonder how good a Muslim she is." And so, the colors of my Muslim Joseph's coat began to fade.
I began to wonder. What is a good Muslim anyway? Will I fit in here? Doubts began to set in and I questioned my decision to convert to Islam. "Wait,” I said to myself. "Before you jump off this bandwagon, why not go to the experts and hear their views?" Here, with the ideas of the experts, I invite you to come along on my journey of exploration into Muslim American culture and examine if it's safe to experience the beliefs of others.
Teaching Our Children
Everything starts at home. Children learn perceptions, judgments and sometimes prejudices from their parents, who learned from their parents. Children learn whether it's acceptable to explore, analyze and evaluate the ideas and behaviors of others, or whether they must follow a strict line from their parents and conform to it until they grow up and learn to think for themselves. Coming to Islam comparatively late in life, I had already formed opinions about the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution techniques. However, to many Muslims in America, these concepts seem threatening. Fortunately, not all scholars concur.
According to Imam Zaid Shakir, Islamic scholar at New Islamic Directions and father, children should learn early to communicate effectively, to analyze and evaluate ideas and morés with which they are confronted. "In a Muslim context, many of our families have authoritarian family structures that discourage communication and that discourage analysis and evaluation, Imam Zaid said. "This is in total opposition to the teachings of the Prophet and what he demonstrated, peace be upon him."
Noting that our religion encourages discussion, Imam Zaid continued, "This is a critical and instructive lesson for us, that we have to encourage communication and we have to encourage the input of our children; otherwise we're raising distorted and truncated human beings. Those are things that have to start within the family, and they are extremely important."
Jelena Naim, a Muslim educator in Georgia agrees, "I have seen that when children are exposed to other children of different backgrounds, they are more open-minded than adults in seeing each other for what they are individually, rather than boxing them into a stereotype. The necessary ingredient is that the adults who manage the children do not impose their own stereotypes, built up over years, on the children."
Understanding the diversity around us is important for children and adults alike. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Chairman of the Cordoba Initiative and Imam of New York’s Masjid Al-Farah, says, "American Muslims occupy a unique place in our world. When we talk of places likely to experience a revival in classical Islamic values, I can't help but notice their fascinating similarity to American society in particular. From a social contract that holds individual freedom as a God-given, inalienable right to a built-in appreciation for diversity, the intersection of American liberalism and classical Islamic thought is greater than many assume."
What about teaching debating skills to young people? Imam Zaid answers that question by saying, "This is something we should encourage, because developing the confidence to be a Muslim – not just in the safety, security and comfort of home-- but being able to be a Muslim who can go into the wider society with a basis to defend his or her principles, to stand up for his or her beliefs, is key. When we're talking about debating, we're talking about words, the greatest weapon."
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SPECIAL REPORT Unity in the Community
By respecting the diversity in our community, we realize that unity does not mean uniformity. When bias and misunderstandings create divisions and clashes, we look to Qur'an and ahadith for ways to resolve our differences. We also look to top resolution negotiators like Najeeba Syeed-Miller for assistance and example.
by Molly Alexander Darden, Jamillah Karim & Tayyibah Taylor
FEATURES
Giving Time Freely
Volunteers who give their time to help others in the community are rewarded with a sense of fulfillment.
by Kiran Ansari
One God, One Spirit
There is a small, but growing community of Native Americans who have embraced Islam. Some working to correct the misconceptions held about them in the Muslim American community.
by Kelly Izdihar Crosby
Healing the World
Individuals and groups are striving to eradicate the diseases of HIV/AIDS and malaria.
by Aisha al-Adawiya & Sabeen Shaiq
A Marriage, Interrupted
What should a woman do when she becomes a Muslim, and her husband doesn't?
by Sulafa AbouSamra & Ann El Moslimany
Not Politics as Usual
Ilhaam Jaafer works on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant and helped to draft the historic congressional resolution recognizing Ramadan.
by Rose Khalid
Spiritual Care
Four women tell us what it is like to be a chaplain and provide emotional support in institutions such as prisons, hospitals and universities.
by Shareda Hosein, Mary Lahaj, Mumina Kowalski & Dujanah Descartes
Arriving on the Art Scene
Talented and creative, these conceptual and visual artists are making their mark in the art world.
by Rose Khalid
Where's the Beef? – Halal, of Course
It’s getting easier and easier to find good restaurants that serve delicious dishes made with halal meat.
by Kiran Ansari
LIFESTYLE
Decor Cherished Memories
Scrapbooking lets you get creative when preserving your photographs, mementos and keepsakes. by Mariam Aziz & Kiran Ansari
Well-Being Womb Wellness
More than Just a Headache by Tabassum Firoz, MD
Destinations The Kingdom of Brotherly Love
A look at the beautiful sites of Jordan by Saraji Umm Zaid
Menu Very Vegetarian, Very Vegan
Delicious meatless recipes.
Fashion Fresh & Fabulous
Two Californian designers have created unique fashions under the label rebirth of chic.
DEPARTMENTS
Deen Allah Creates What He Wills. A look at assisted reproductive technology and Islamic Law. by Zaynab Ansari
Shahadah No Navigation Necessary
by Aaminah Hernández
Book Club Reviews of Reviews of Footsteps by Umm Zakiyyah, Turbulence by Jamilah Kolocotronis and The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples by Amani Jabbar & Renée Warner Syed
Real Gems
Read about two great children’s books, the perfect cup of tea, Islamic jewelry, a MP3 Player for Qur’an and a face moisturizer made from rose oil that will make your skin happy.
by Staff Writers
Global Voices
In the Face of Danger. In the global hot spots, these three brave women face war, tribal conflicts and kidnapping attempts in order to do their work.
by Tayyibah Taylor
Poetry Departure
by Tanzeel Badar
Reflections Where Paradise Lies
by Zainib Ahmad
Fiction Beyond the Viewfinder by Serene Taleb-Agha
Point of View The Price Tag of War
by Roksana Bahrmitash
Ayah Surah Al Zumar, Ayah 5
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