Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Harun |
| 05/03/01 at 14:19:51 |
| as salam alaykum, im not around here often right now just takin a break, but i wanted to pose the idea of a muslim american culture. According to various sources there are an estimated 5-10 million muslims within the US. From my understanding, Islam permeated throughout various regions and generated a specific muslim culture there. The cultures of spain and that of India was forever changed by islam... as muslims who reside in america and who do not consider hijrah as an option, how do we create such a culture. There is the development of specific arts, architecture, language, and literature that develop in society. In america we seem to be regurgitating the idea of a distant "home" and not the trend of Islam in america with its society and culture that must adapt to islam... how do we rid oursleves of nostaligic old world feelings to gain new footing and new ground? im done ... discuss |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jehad |
| 05/03/01 at 14:32:53 |
| Don't make your self at home, do what you have to do and get out. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Rashid |
| 05/03/01 at 15:27:42 |
| [quote]how do we rid oursleves of nostaligic old world feelings to gain new footing and new ground?[/quote] The answer is the youth. The next generation holds the key, many were born here and have no nostalgic feelings of the homeland. Most colleges across the country have a large muslim presence, so that by the time those in middle and high school get to college, there will be a muslim tradition in the college. And then as the graduates join the workforce, muslims will become more visible in society. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jannah |
| 05/03/01 at 16:04:45 |
| [wlm] good discussion rashid would that were true.. many of us even if we were born and raised here still have that nostalgic feeling/attachment br harun talks about. i'm not sure where it comes from but i think we are heavily influenced by our teachers and leaders -- most who are from "over there". So if they are still immigrants we will still have that immigrant mentality. we need more qualified knowledgable teachers from *here* -- so they speak and teach the next generation. and perhaps as we age.. children of immigrants and take positions as teachers and leaders in the community the third generation (if they survive) won't have so much of that feeling??? |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| BrKhalid |
| 05/03/01 at 18:18:40 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) What’s the saying: Learn to interact but not integrate? As Br Rashid says, with time (and with increased knowledge) we’ll learn to develop our own culture. InshaAllah it will incorporate the best of both of the cultures which we’ve thus far encountered. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jannah |
| 05/03/01 at 20:30:52 |
| wlm, hmm br khalid have you seen that happenning anywhere? i've seen people get totally swallowed by american/western culture and those that remain good are first generation and have alot of ties to "back home" culture. an interesting yahiya emerick article talks about how america seems to be a giant melting pot for muslims too.. they come in and within a generation they're sucked in and the only reason we are getting bigger as muslims is because more immigrants are coming in.so it's like a giant bottomless pot, and that we have to stop it somehow. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| humble_muslim |
| 05/04/01 at 05:38:17 |
| AA I see Jehad is, as usual, coming up with a sensible, practical approach. My personal problem (if indeed it is a problem) is what my "home" is. I was born in the UK of Pakistani parents, but have lived almost all of my married life with my wife and kids in the USA. Now my wife is pure Pakistani, and often longs for her homeland. Me, I never felt that the UK was my "home" because of the racism. As for Pakistan, I feel a complete stranger whenever I visit there. So for now, for better or worse, it's the USA. So while I'm here, a few guidelines which I try to stick to : stick with the muslim community, don't socialize with non-muslims, never forego your salat (even at work), send my kids to Islamic schools, ingrain in my kids the beauty of Islam, teach my kids the truth about American values, live near a mosque ... doesn't leave much room for what Br Harun is suggesting, more a case of survival. Of course, if all muslims acted like muslims, this whole country would become muslim without any struggle, as happened in Indonesia. |
| NS |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| BrKhalid |
| 05/04/01 at 05:43:27 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]As Br Rashid says, with time (and with increased knowledge) we’ll learn to develop our own culture. InshaAllah it will incorporate the best of both of the cultures which we’ve thus far encountered hmm br khalid have you seen that happenning anywhere? [/quote] My personal opinion is that there are pockets of Muslims out there who are like this. The problem is that they are dispersed and consequently, as yet, not much of a force. If we could somehow bring these people together, I think, inshaAllah, much progress would be made. As for being sucked in, that's where knowledge plays a crucial part. We have to realise that we should only take what's good from American/European/Western culture and then use it to improve upon our *Islamic* (not cultural) lives. Actually when you rationalise it, most of the good in the West is derived from Islam anyway so we are merely taking back what we've once lost. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| eleanor |
| 05/05/01 at 05:30:51 |
[quote] I see Jehad is, as usual, coming up with a sensible, practical approach. quote] :D slm Interaction can play a big role. When I see what the Ahmadiyya are doing here in Germany. (yes I know they're not Muslim). They are so comitted to increasing their numbers. They have open days where the germans come to see their mosques and centers. They have "multi-cultural" celebrations where they invite the germans for a banquet and some talks. They have even set up Kabadi matches with the germans. And sadly to say it works. Most of the german reverts to islam are Ahmadiyya. They believe in the logic and beauty of Islam but unfortunately are sucked into the whole Ahmadiyya thing. They are so misled, it's sad really. But my point is that interaction is posssible and while you don't have to take on their values, maybe they can take on some of yours and come to learn islam through this. And any of you living in the UK or USA should count yourselves lucky that you have the freedom to live as a practising muslim if you want. Here it's next to impossible to get a job if you wear hijab and as for taking time out from school or work to pray..forget it. I want so badly to move away from here but sometimes I think I should get active in dawah here and try to improve conditions for muslims. It's a daunting task however. wasalaam eleanor |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Asim |
| 05/05/01 at 09:29:58 |
| Assalaamu alaikum, I think for us to not lose our identity we have to make and work towards Muslim conentrations in the US that are closely knit and well managed. Yahya Emerick mentions in several of his articles the need for muslims to live a short distance from a mosque. This is simple and practical and if many people do this then concentrations of Muslims will develop around mosques. One of the reason why american is a melting pot is because it is an individualistic society. And as Muslims if we live as individuals, especially in a society with so many negative influences, we are bound to lose our deen (one-on-one with shaytan is not easy!). A separate identity or culture will develop when there are well established instititions producing local scholars, teachers, and professionals. Muslim Spain and India all had/have good local institutions that shaped the culture of the society. If a majority of our teachers are trained outside the US then we are bound to be influenced by them. Also, I think it will take some time as we are basically in survival mode trying to not lose our identities, let alone thinking about a unique islamic culture. Wasalaam. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| BroHanif |
| 05/05/01 at 20:02:21 |
| A.W.W. Brother Jehad, you live in the Kufr UK don't you. When are you going to get up and leave for Afgahanistan, we all know that is the Islamic Emirate so are you gonna move over there or not. Where else in the world can you go to ??? Cheychan, Indonesia, Burma a certain African state maybe even Mecca or Medina, will these countrys allow a mass influx of muslims to settle there. I'd like to know because I certainly want to spread Islam as much as possible over here in the UK, I'm sure that others like humble_muslim, jannah and others want to do the same. Although we might not like the states or the UK but one thing we are all involved is taking forard Islam. My point is if you want to live in the UK or US you have to make effort and dawah, whether you like it or not, the alternative is something to ill to think about. We have to make effort on all fronts from the abortion and adoption centres to eliminating the social ills that have entered our countrys. If we work together as one and adopt the chracter of the last prophet sls and followthe quran, then we can surely acheive our goal of a United States of Islam within the nx couple of years. Salaam. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jannah |
| 05/06/01 at 00:26:46 |
| Dar al Islam... does not exist as far as I know. Is there any country following shariah in totality and following the true Islam? If not, what's the point of moving from "here" to "there"? Every place will have it's good and bad. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Anonymous |
| 05/06/01 at 01:12:55 |
| Assalamu Alaikum, I gree that youth will insha'Allah develop a Muslim American culture. But who is raising our youth??? The Parents. For right now, we should start teaching parents how to raise their children with strong Islamic beliefs as well as instill in them all the universal values which happens to be Islamic too. If parents can raise their Muslim children as best human beings. Our job is done then, the rest of the things will fall into place. If we can teach our young new parents, how to raise their children by offering courses, techniques, methods, ideas, things will be different insha'Allah for our new generation. We have to learn to leave our cultural baggage of back home behind and learn to develop new culture here which is the Muslim American culture. It can happen. The key is the parents in my opinion. Wa'Allahu samee'un mujeeb. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Barr |
| 05/06/01 at 21:06:01 |
| Assalamu'alaikum,everyone :-) [quote] So while I'm here, a few guidelines which I try to stick to : stick with the muslim community, don't socialize with non-muslims, never forego your salat (even at work), send my kids to Islamic schools, ingrain in my kids the beauty of Islam, teach my kids the truth about American values, live near a mosque ... doesn't leave much room for what Br Harun is suggesting, more a case of survival. [/quote] I just wanna add a bit... I feel that as much as we want an Islamic lifestyle, we also have to achieve a lifestyle that would not "cut us off" from the general society. This can render us to be seen as "exclusive" and "seperate". I do not mean that we should "go to the lizard's hole", and compromise our values, nevertheless, I think we should acknowledge that in the US, UK, and many parts of the world, Muslims are a part of the bigger society of that country. Not socialising (unless, I interpret the term wrongly, afwan) with non-Muslims can make us and our children feel as if they cannot relate to them at all. Whereas, we must also bear in mind the need to help the general society understand us... Our responsibility for da'wah...How is that possible when we totally cut ourselves off them, when we live amongst them? This can leave us to be irrelevant to the current society. And we may find that our da'wah efforts fail, as we are not able to relate, understand and communicate with them in a suitable level. As the saying goes... "we can't speak their language". Currently, there are some families who are experiencing this where I come from. Communication with non-Muslims are kept at the minimal, and children, feel alien with other non-Muslims and are not able to relate with them, albeit all of us speak English. Personally, this is not the kind of thing that I would want the future generation to be. The question now, is how do we practice Islam as a whole, build our iman and identity, yet be able to be WITH the general society. Sorry, that went on for quite long. Back to the discussion... I think there would be certain aspects of the "original" culture that would stay intact, and these would be influenced by the level of Islam of that society. Somehow, this creation of culture would somewhat be an evolution of culture instead. This is so as Muslims in the US are diverse, and alhamdulillah, with intergration between these different and varied cultures I think we would be looking forward to quite a unique and exciting culture whose versatility and composition would depend on the families - ie. immigrant (Indo-subcontinent/ middle Eastern), African-American, white-American, mixed marriages etc. This would, of course, effect food, and clothes and mannerisms, art etc. Personally for me, maintaining my culture - language, food, clothes etc etc, would be something that I want to preserve, as we cannot deny that our ethnicity and history make us the person we are. What seems to be an issue, I feel, is the "back 'HOME'" mentality, and sustaining a certain features of the "original" culture as if where we are, is that 'HOME'. And as mentioned by Br Rashid and Br Khalid...I'm sure that such mentality will go away in due time. I think it's a natural process... the evolution has begun. [quote] We have to realise that we should only take what's good from American/European/Western culture and then use it to improve upon our *Islamic* (not cultural) lives. Actually when you rationalise it, most of the good in the West is derived from Islam anyway so we are merely taking back what we've once lost. [/quote] I'd rather see it as having Islam to accentuate the good values of the Western culture. [quote] Yahya Emerick mentions in several of his articles the need for muslims to live a short distance from a mosque. This is simple and practical and if many people do this then concentrations of Muslims will develop around mosques. [/quote] I think is is a good step and I think once the foothold of managing and activating the mosques are stable... progress for the Muslim ummah will be like lightning. Once mosques get rid of this "back home" mentality and the division between ethnicity amongst Muslims... the progress of the Muslim culture, amongst many other things would be nearer to its peak. Of course, we would also have to deal with those who are not close to Islam and the mosques - yes, family and youths play major roles. Perhaps, if we can have something intergrated in the national schools? Like a Muslim Scout Movement or something? Just thinking aloud. :) Wallahu a'lam :-) |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Zahra |
| 05/07/01 at 22:28:28 |
| slm I think that first generation Muslim Americans do have some level of attachement to "back home" but we don't have the cultural baggage we see all to often in our masajid. Our level of attachment to back home, I think, is minimal and is overridden by our feeling of comfort and familiarity with where we were raised. Muslim American scholars are definitely in demand. Muslim women, especially, are very uneducated in Islam. How many of us have actually studied Islam? I am realizing myself now (in my 20's and raised Muslim in America) that I really don't have an understanding of true Islam. If I really examine myself, and what I know, I don't and that's because I never studied Islam the way I studied in highschool and college. It's not a priority for many parents (there should be a whole new thread on the topic of parents alone). There is so much potential in Muslim Americans and I think that they are the ones who can really provoke a positive shift in Muslim American culture. After all, we are American in that we were raised in America, speak the language, and understand the people. They key is education and practice. Going into fields and practices that Muslims in America need-such as teaching-is critical. Although the focus is to develop stronger bonds and institutions for Muslims in America, the idea is *not* to isolate ourselves from the rest of the society. I think this is where a lot of people go wrong. Many think that in order to raise kids here successfully and to live here, we have to completely isolate ourselves when actually, what we need to do is develop stronger personalities which allow us to identify ourselves as Muslims to the rest of society without any fear of humiliation. I am *not* suggesting that Islamic schools and other institutions are not important- Like I said, they should be a major focus for Muslim Americans. I'm talking about being active, communicating with the outside world and letting ourselves (what were the recent statistics? 6,000,000 Muslims in U.S.?) be known as an integrated component and not a mere part of this country. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| BrKhalid |
| 05/08/01 at 05:58:28 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote] I'm talking about being active, communicating with the outside world and letting ourselves (what were the recent statistics? 6,000,000 Muslims in U.S.?) be known as an integrated component and not a mere part of this country [/quote] It was interesting reading the above because I was listening to a radio discussion the other night about how much economic growth we were having here in the UK but the fact that people didn't seem to be happy. The discussion then centred on the old age question of whether wealth and prosperity makes people happy or were there other factors involved. I really felt like calling in and telling these people that true happiness lies in the contentment of what you have (be it big or small) and the knowledge that Allah [swt] has already fixed your provision so worrying about that extra pound or dollar is neither here nor there. I cite the above because I think its just one way of "getting out there" and making ourselves and our values known. Sure it wasn't an Islamic radio station and Islam wasn't being discussed, but does that mean we can't inform the host community of what Islam says on certain topics? [quote] Yahya Emerick mentions in several of his articles the need for muslims to live a short distance from a mosque. This is simple and practical and if many people do this then concentrations of Muslims will develop around mosques [/quote] I couldn't agree more!!! But here's where knowledge plays a big part. A lot of Masjids are in urban areas in the UK but where do you think the really nice housing is? What motives do people have for moving? See where I'm going with this? Every community needs a focal point. In the UK there has long been a tradition that those living in the country tend to gather around the country pub and chat and talk with their fellow neighbours over a drink. In Islam the Masjid is our focal point for the community. Just look at the community in Madinah after the Hijrah. What you have to do though is convince our own brothers and sisters of the benefits of staying near the Masjid and this is where building an infrastructure is important. One last point on culture. To me the most significant part of culture is language. If you retain your language, then a part of you will always identify with "back home" wherever that may be. Once that's lost though, and you freely converse in the language of the country in which you reside in, then your "culture" begins to change. (Btw this is only my opinion so take it in that context ;-) ) If we choose the UK as an example, I would speculate that in a generation (or maybe two) there will be many Muslims who will have English as their mother toncue. Consequently they won't have that degree of attachment to "back home" as their forefathers before them. My question though is that from a solely Islamic viewpoint, is that *necessarily* a bad thing? |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jehad |
| 05/08/01 at 07:27:23 |
| Aslam walakum, There are a lot of Muslims who have moved to countries with Muslim populations from countries with out. Jannah is correct that today there is no Dar ul Islam, so it is possible to live in Dar ul Kufr as all countries as of 3rd march 1924 are Dar ul Kufr. But if we find it impossible to live in any land with out committing harram, or staying in that land would mean missing farrad then it is farrad to move to a country where we can live with out committing sins. Allah did make this world a wide expanse. It is true I live in a country with a Non Muslim majority, that is because I was born here, I didn't chose where I was born, does that make me a hypocrite? Anyway I do intend to move to a Muslim country, not sure which one yet, but any of them are better then this one. We have all talked about the importance of dawa, the Muslim countries are desperate for dawa, kaffar are busy going there to do dawa. Some one does not have to become a crossworshiper to be a kaffar. And today many people in the Muslim countries are leaving Islam because the dawa to Kufr, has made Islam just a nationality to them, which was imposed upon them due to a accident of birth, they had no control over. They need to be tort the importance of the deen they have been born in to. If the Muslims in the Muslim world understood the reality of their deen, how it is defiantly form Allah, it would become impossible for the evil regimes to rule them with Kufr and they would remove the regimes. Once we have a Dar ul Islam once again, it wont only be a mercy to us, but it would be a mercy to all of man kind as we will be able to use a country to carry the mercy of our message to the world, like how the kaffar use countries to carry the message of Kufr to the world, so they can enslave for the idols of freedom and democracy. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Mary |
| 05/08/01 at 09:12:51 |
| I think there is such a strong need to develope an Muslim American culture. My husband is from Egypt but we are living here in the US and have raised our family here. And at least in our area the feeling of a Muslim community let alone culture is very weak. Our Muslim population is about 400 but instead of being a Muslim community we are broken into the Arab, Pakistani, Indian, Kurtish, and American (black and white) populations. Then further broken down by some peoples need to be socially separated. Many would rather be reffered to as Dr.*** rather than Br.***. Then there is the attitude that if you were not born a Muslim that you are somewhat lower in statis. This whole attitude of sepration was keeping us from uniting and forming a Muslim COMMUNITY. We just recently started a multicultural Muslims Womans group. We come together to learn and to socialize and are finding out that we all have so much in common. It is a very small start but at least for this core group of women our feeling of community is growing. Now to work on the men. It seems all they do is fight and argue. We should be in charge because, my Islam is stronger, or I'm more qualified, or I have more money. They all talk and no one will listen to each other. We (Muslims in general) love to sit back and blame the American society for the fact that our youth is pulling away from Islam. I think all youth go through a time where they don't want to be the different one. Or the only one. I think if Muslims were more visible in this culture more active and involved it would be easier for our children. I love the look of the new Mosque in our area. It has a look of Islam. (I'm not sure how to phrase what I wanted to say) I'd love to see more and more mosques and Islamic community centers and schools. I think, open to the public or Islamiclly sponsered picnics neighborhood gatherings, conferences, ect. would not only be good community Dawah but also give our children a community identity as well as an individual one. They would feel good about saying, I'm a Muslim, This is my community, and my country. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jannah |
| 05/08/01 at 09:45:33 |
| [quote]We have all talked about the importance of dawa, the Muslim countries are desperate for dawa, kaffar are busy going there to do dawa.[/quote] So true jehad... I was thinking about this last night reminiscing about an older good brother i used to know who used to be *very* much into dawah on the internet and locally. Then he moved to a muslim country. Now we hardly hear from him. I could use his influence and advice personally but now he's too far to ask. On the one hand I think it's really a shame that since there are so few ppl in this country doing dawah like he was that he isn't here. We could really have used him here. On the other hand I know he felt he just personally could not live here anymore because of all the haram all around him and wanted to be in more of an Islamic atmosphere. Maybe he is doing dawah there or maybe he's just one of the millions of better muslims there faded into the background of millions of other muslims. I don't know. Then I was thinking of another older brother I knew..who was at the level of being a national speaker at conferences..extremely active..extremely intelligent...and most promising was that he was young, inspiring and didn't have any 'cultural baggage'. Then somewhere along the line he just dropped out of sight. Recently I met him again through work of all places. Now he's an executive in a corporation. It was really a shock to see him like that. All his energy and effort is towards work, making money. It was almost like he was a different person. I doubt he has time to do anything for his community Islamically. It was definitely a good shock to my system. I don't ever want to be so sucked up into the American corporate lifestyle that Islam is made secondary in my life. I wanted to write to him or something to ask him what happenned or just tell him what I thought seeing him again. Anyway back to the thread... Mary I applaud your efforts, insha Allah they will be successful in helping build your community :) |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Barr |
| 05/08/01 at 11:35:23 |
| Assalamu'alaikum everyone :-) [quote]But here's where knowledge plays a big part. A lot of Masjids are in urban areas in the UK but where do you think the really nice housing is? What motives do people have for moving? See where I'm going with this? [/quote] I do understand where U're going, akhi... but sometimes, Muslims face a dilema when the mosque is situated in the roughest area of the city... so how do we get rid of the cycle? [quote]the most significant part of culture is language. If you retain your language, then a part of you will always identify with "back home" wherever that may be. Once that's lost though, and you freely converse in the language of the country in which you reside in, then your "culture" begins to change. [snip]Muslims who will have English as their mother tongue. Consequently they won't have that degree of attachment to "back home" [snip] [/quote] There's a Malay saying => Bahasa jiwa bangsa => Language is the soul of the people/nation/race/ethnicity (pardon the translation). And U are right. Once the language is gone... the culture would be gone. What I'm worried here is that in time, with the disintegration of our "original" (sorry for the lack of a better term) language, we would lose the uniqueness of each of our cultures that makes each and everyone of us. However, I feel that retaining one's language does not equate to the "back home" mentality as that is an attitude shaped by history, experience and knowledge and can be changed by history, experience and knowledge without the expense of losing one's own language, and hence culture. I think it'll be a sad thing if such a day would come, for Allah created us into nations and tribes with beautiful languages and cultures - for that in itself is a sign from Allah. We just need to bring these cultures closer to Islam. Yet... upon saying all these... I still feel that in the future, there's a high probability these languages would be lost to those who live in the West, as English becomes their mother tongue.... And Jannah, with regards to what U have said, sometimes, I do wonder, whether one would be better off in a Muslim country (of this time)... the dynamics of each country are variable and there are so many things to do whichever part of the world we come from. But of course, hijrah is a personal choice and the crux of the matter is... about being steadfast after we have achieved iman in all of our endeavours. I do know some people who have become futur when they are in a Muslim country than when they are in the West. sorry for my ramblings... wallahua'lam futur - when one stops doing smt that he has always been doing eg. Futur in da'wah |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jehad |
| 05/08/01 at 11:48:16 |
| asalm walakum Jannah (smile) I think we all know lodes of examples of people who have disappeared from the dawa scene. It's so easy to get caught up in dunyah. Lets hope we are not in this state now, and protect our selves from entering it in the future. how do you lot get that aslam walakum in arabic on your messages? |
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| jannah |
| 05/08/01 at 13:46:42 |
| [wlm] ahh click on the help jehad i remembered something i forgot to add... for someone who grew up in the West I think it would be very difficult going to some other country and doing dawah without alot of background and info... here i know the people the best way to go about it...the networking..the ppl...the organizations..the mentality... there i would have no clue and may do more damage than good... |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| jehad |
| 05/08/01 at 14:16:38 |
| Asalm walakum. Jannah that's right, that's the only reason I haven't already gone permanent. I have heard of people who have gone, and joined jamats working for change there. but often end up as dead weight and are absolutely no help at all due to complete ignorance of the society there. But if you know what you are doing and where you are going, and go to some where, where you are needed not some where, where you would like to be, then you could be a lot of help. Allah hu Alim. I really don't know about this. What I do know is I know Khillafah is the most important thing of this time period just like jihad was the most important issue of the time of the crusades and aqeeda was the most important issue of the time of the mutuzillah. But the fact is Khillafah will not be established here in England, I recognise this fact, so me remaining here is a sign of my own hypocrisy. I often talk about the greatness of the shohadah, we can't obtain this honour here. A lot of my friends have gone, it is easier for them as they are from Muslim countries, so issues like obtaining citizenship and networks pose more a problem for me. My main fear about going to the Muslim world is I might just vanish in to the crowed and be one of those people who is too busy with his own family to do any thing about society. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
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| Mary |
| 05/09/01 at 08:47:24 |
| On the other hand I know he felt he just personally could not live here anymore because of all the haram all around him and wanted to be in more of an Islamic atmosphere. Maybe he is doing dawah there or maybe he's just one of the millions of better muslims there faded into the background of millions of other muslims. I don't know. Inshallah that is what he is doing. I am really bothered by something that I have experience and very recently heard about. I had expected that when I traveled overseas to Muslim countries I would feel and see a difference. Instead I found that Islam is not something worked for. It may be the way of life and what the majority of the people are but it is almost taken for granted. People, ( I know not all but far to many) get busy with their work or activities just like here. I guess I foolishly thought that at prayer time (even though the call to prayer echos accross the land) people would drop everything and there would be this mamouth prayer. To me it seems that it is more openly on the minds of people here than over there. Also for those being Muslim countries, there is so much more freedom here to practice than there. In many countries men don't wear beards and women don't wear hajibs. This is either because of work restrictions or fear of being harrassed or detained by the government. My husband was detained for almost 3 hours at the airport in Cairo as we were returning from Saudi Arabia. We didn't know where he was or what was going on. I had my four children with me and could get no information. I agree that it is so hard living in this country and facing daily the haram things and the misguided people, but it only make me think that the harder we work and practice true Islam, and the more visible we are as people of character and faith we can Inshallah, make a difference here. |
| Re: Development of a Muslim American Culture... |
|---|
| chachi |
| 05/13/01 at 14:43:32 |
Hmm does america HAVE a 'culture'?! other than to consume? america is the land of the immigrant who wants to be rich america's leaders know that without the immigrant they wouldn't survive very long as a country thats why multi-culturalism is an american invention after all who wants to go to a country and be a slave to another culture countries like china and india don't need immigrants they need their people to emigrate anyone have any data on how educational achievment declines in the children of immigrants as they become absorbed in american consumerism? England is the home of shakespeare and cricket and being a yorkshireman myself the spade (don't ask) Germany of Bismark and Goethe what is america the home of..erm ..erm..let me think Hollywood! and Disney ...and Baywatch...and Vegas..and Alcatraz..lol |
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