Western Muslims: Can we talk?

[PsychoDad]

Western Muslims: Can we talk?
Geneive Abdo International Herald Tribune

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/07/opinion/edabdo.php

BRUSSELS The U.S. ambassador to Belgium hosted an extraordinary event here recently, one that exposes the shortcomings of the Bush administration's militarized "war on terrorism." He organized a conference with Muslims to hear about their lives in the West.

Ambassador Tom Korologos and other U.S. officials intervened at times, but mostly they were more like flies on the wall as Muslims from the United States and Europe - activists, journalists and lawyers - discussed their concerns among themselves, talking about Islam and their experiences practicing their religion in Western societies. There were no self-declared "experts" and no interpreters speaking about Islam on behalf of Muslims with whom they have little real contact.

...

But some said they felt Muslims in America, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, are being ghettoized by mainstream society, despite their lives of relative riches. Why then, they asked, are Muslim Americans treated by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies like terrorist suspects if they are part of middle-class society? "The notion of Islam is better developed and more understood in Europe than in America," said one American Muslim. "The way we are treated is based on ignorance."

Both groups agreed that the media were the key to changing perceptions of them in their respective countries. If the media shape public opinion, and public opinion becomes more favorable toward Islam and Muslims, everything else will follow, they said.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. We Sufis are discreet

and I'm talking about ones who were born and raised American. After 911, there was terrible hatred towards Islam in the area where I live, even though there are several Sufis living here. Most of it is based upon ignorace, which cultivates fear. I don't see any local media doing much to counter the general anti-anything but fundamentalist Christian bias I see around me, but my brothers and sisters merely try to live our lives in service and surrender to Allah.

[Agnomen]

2. Here in New York City

we have a sizable Muslim community, and I'm proud of my fellow New Yorkers that in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, and afterwords, there were no hateful incidents. Perhaps because we are such a multi-national, multi-ethnic city, we are more tolerant, more accepting of diversity than what we call "the mainland". Ok, so perhaps more sophisticated (she said arrogantly), but the Pakistanis from whom I buy candy, and Iranians who own the supermarket down the street have been my neighbors long before that dreadful day. I've watched their children grow up. They are not my enemy.
My main contact with the rest of the country is via internet, and frequently what I see posted in various forums saddens me - the ignorance and the blind hatred stemming from it is frightening.
I think the media could promote more knowledge of Islam. Recently I watched some of a Barbara Walters special called "Heaven". I tuned in just in time to see her interview Feisal Abdul Rauf, Imam of Masjid al-Farah in New York, a very spiritual as well as very articulate man. I exhaled as he explained that according to Koran it is not just Muslims that go to paradise, but all who believe in God. Here was a popular tv personality, usually getting pretty high ratings, exposing her viewers to a deeper understanding.
PBS "Religion & Ethics" occasionally has some good reports and interviews from Muslim communities, but most of the mainstream media is rather ignorant. I remember a news clip about a woman imam leading muslim prayers at Cathedral of St. John The Divine in NY, touted as a first event of its kind. They made it sound as if a woman could only lead prayers inside an Episcopalian church, but not in a mosque, and that this was the first time Muslim prayer service was ever held there. I wrote CNN to tell them that 1. There's been a mosque w. a woman imam in New York for years and 2. Sufi dervishes been whirling in front of the altar at the cathedral for even longer.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Don't feel arrogant

I really believe that it is far easier to hate those who you don't know-and in the hinterland of this country, it is easy to remain ignorant, as there are few people of different cultures. I was lucky enough to grow up in a university town that catered to foreign students, and lived with people of different cultures from the time I was an infant. I think those early years helped shape my world view. I feel sorry for the folks who never meet someone who isn't like them-they are the ones that get very fearful when the "other folks" move in. And the fact that the media does nothing to build bridges is simply a crying shame.

I think it is cool that the semizans have been doing the Turn at the cathedral-thanks for that information!