Letter to an American Muslim

A bit long but quite accurate in parts.

Please send this one to Pakitan Link too.

There are many people thinking along these lines today.

Ras

I haven`t read the article carefully and neither all the responses but here is my general opinion on few of the things under discussion.

Asking Muslims to come out, register and vote and make the difference is not going to do anything for Muslims. You should know the American system better. Representation alone on the basis of protest vote by Muslims should learn from many protest based victory of the past by other groups leading to nowhere. African Americans have won many seats all across American on protest vote but never made a difference on their major concerns.

American system rewards only 1) if there is something in it for groups other than protesting group, 2) it is not against the American value system and 3) it is economically sound. Muslims might win few seats here and there with protest and organization but they have nothing to offer to USA in return for their concerns to be heard. First thing Muslims should forget is that Islam is something beneficial to USA in social or economic terms. USA has progressed well without it, becoming superpower and biggest economy of the world. So what is Muslim`s agenda to make a block on the basis of religion? It beats me. Do they want to change the lifestyle of the majority because it does not fit Islamic injunctions? That is laughable even to consider seriously. Do they wish to be treated special because they represent just the opposite of what US system is standing on.

In US, nothing is more valuable than economic might. The economic might have never come on group basis. It is always on individual bases. It is true that jewish people are better represented in professional careers and businesses but that is not a conspiracy or group based success. The community help in promoting group economic well-being is very limited. Look at the boom of high tech industry since Microsoft and Intel. No group is particularly better represented among the richnesses created by high tech industry. there are wasps, catholics, jews, chinese, indians, nerds, dope smokers you name it. So why are Muslims so obsessed that even liberal ones fall for this idea of group interest. It is the same leftover of ummah concept. Can anyone here stand up and tell that he owes his success, whatever small or big, to the brothers from masjid, ISNA, MSA or any such organizations? Actually one succeeds more by distancing from drag on moving forward.

So what is it that Muslims in the USA want? Can they list 3-4 order of priorities and meadure it against normal lifestyle and economic well being of the USA. Do they want freedom for jihad in America or dealing softly with the people who have sworn to cause damage to US if they get chance. Do they want prayer break at work, mosques, lotas to wipe asses Islamic style or what? Or it is one issue business - lessen support of Isreal by US.

I dont mind if some group wants this to happen but Pakistanis should not be part of it. It is not a Pakistani issue. It hurts Pakistan to be too much Islamic. Unfortunately Pakistanis are Muslim first and Pakistanis second, though take out Pakistani patriotic stamp as soon as you mention Sindhi or Panjabi words. Idiots, dont lie to me. You are Muslim first and foremost if you join Islamic protest groups in USA. Pakistan is too dependent on USA and PAkistani public should be least anti-America, if they can see the American wheat by PL-480 in their atta. They eat the flour which is as much as 10 percent american and then spit on America. There is Islam and their is Pakistan. If this article is specifically about Islam, then Pakistanis enthusiasm is stupid. many times same interactors have frothed from their mouth about super patriotism of Pakistan whether one talks about Kashmir or regional cultures. And here they are all Muslims first and Pakistanis second with bubling with energy for making Islamic voting block and participating in it, effectively cutting off any leverage diaspora Pakistanis have on USA for support of Pakistani causes.

Sure, go ahead and work for Islamic block and then turn around and try to impress USA about providing Pakistan loan guarantees, loans rescheduling, buying arms, US investment in Pakistan, asking US to increase immigrant visas, demanding more student visas and many more things.... I guess many Pakistanis are ready to throw away Pakistan for one hadith, one imam ghazali, one khomeini, one idiot in detroit or washington, for Osama, for Taliban, for Kashmir but Panjabi language sucks...........

Thanks for a passionate & sensible (though lengthy) letter, Mr. Ali Minai!

Political activism, social assimilation, educational excellence and participation in opinion-making process are essential ingredients of the ``American recipe``.

But what about the non-American Muslims?

Remember most of the world`s 1.5 billion Muslims live outside America. And they have genuine reasons for hating and distrusting America, especially because of the WMD lies about Iraq followed by invasion. Moreover, America has already lost the battle for Muslims hearts and minds because of its carte blanche to Israel`s targeted killings, collective punishment of Palestinians and stockpiling of WMDs.

American Muslims still enjoy lots of professional opportunities and civil liberties in America. They have a vested interest in the ``American dream``. Non-American Muslims don`t.

Perhaps someone needs to write a letter to the American Republican and Democratic parties as well... explaining to them that America cannot extend its influence across the world through military power. Such influence is a mirage at best, and usually collapses when autocratic/semi-democratic regimes (Musharraf, Mubarik, Saudis, King Abdullah of Jordan, etc) fall.

soysauce, since you asked a direct and valid question, I do feel I should answer. I do not see a great ``Muslim grievance``, but it is true that many Muslims who have lived a long time in this country suddenly feel insecure. I think that their insecurity at this point is exaggerated but understandable. I just want them to move beyond that and start looking at things from a longer perspective.

As others have pointed out, the American public`s response to 9-11 has, in fact, been quite measured relative to what might have occured (and has occured) in other places. But it would be idle to pretend that there are no issues that peculiarly affect Muslims in America today. In this, they are no different than any other societally identified group. Whether it is discrimination by employers or the taunting on children at school, harassment of women who wear the hijab or profiling at airports - individuals have suffered civil rights violations because they were identifiable as Muslims. Not because it is sanctioned by US law, but because it is sanctioned by some segments of society. As long as the Michael Savages of America have vast and approving audiences, the Muslims (and many other immigrant groups) in the US *do* need organization to protect their interests. Also, at least in the time following 9-11, there were gross violations of civil rights by law-enforcement agencies, where people were beaten up, locked up without access to lawyers, and abused in other ways. These things might be understandable - and it is to the credit of American society that things only went so far and no further - but the ideal of ``liberty and justice for all`` requires that those who suffered unjustly should not just have to grin and bear it.

A very pertinent question you ask is why religion should matter. Ideally, I too wish it did not, but that just isn`t reality. While the society at large identifies a group as Muslim - because of their names, practices, or whatever - members of the group have no choice but to recognize that reality. In the case of Muslims specifically, I think most Muslims in fact *wish* to be identified as such anyway, and that is their right. My point is that the exercise of this right also entails some responsibilities. Unlike some on this board:-), I do not think that the only way a Muslim can become an American is by setting up camp at a bar and becoming a Budhead. It should be possible for someone who wishes to identify as ``Muslim`` to do so without having to conform either to the demands of the dominant culture or the puritanical standards of the masjid mavens. However, the protection of this right cannot be taken for granted, and requires the actual practice of citizenship. You ask about CAIR. I have only seen their work from a distance, but I think it is a good start. I could be wrong, but I am encouraged that they are seeking out a broader collaboration in the civil rights community than groups like ISNA.

Finally, on the hilarious discussion between echoboom and hossp (hey, why leave out the last three letters?:-) on my ``true`` affiliations, let me just say ``koi batlao ke ham batlayen kya?`` (Apologies for the Urdu, but this would be lost in translation).

Stuka #58 Political objectives are certainly the raison d`etre for all political systems - democracies, dictatorships. Thus, the only political issue for muslims (or any other new immigrants) in my view is assimilation as I mentioned in my previous post. The main thrust for this is outside the political system (education, professional achievement, economic success).

On all other issues - international and domestic - people are bound to have different views. Thus, it would be unrealistic to expect that Saminasha and Hamidm would see eye to eye on all international and domestic issues!! Indeed, as Chowk is my witness, no two indivdiuals ever see eye to eye on everything, regardless of religion, nationality. Thus, it is unrealistic to talk of voting blocs based on ethnicity or religion.

hamidm wrote:

``........... some good folks see this as exploitation, but in pure economic terms undocumented workers are the best thing since slavery!``

: ) : )

You brought in a great point. All these Lou Dobbs `Exporting America` segments are filthy sore-loser right wingers propoganda. The moment they realize that capitalism won`t work for them anymore, they throw out their entire set of `laissez faire` matras out the window.

TAhmed:

``democracy is about voting according to one`s conscience, not about voting according to one`s ethnicity or religion``

What about voting by shared political objectives?

Hmmmm.... I see some of chowk`s finest are active on this board.

hamidm #52 Ha! ha!

On bloc votes: Wont happen. Because there is only one overarching ``muslim`` issue: how do the recent immigrant muslims assimilate in the broader community. (the more settled muslim immigrants who came in the late 19th century and are settled in Dearborn, Chicago and other places provide an example of such assimilation, as anyone visiting these places can tell).

And anyway, bloc votes are the creation of minds that do not understand democracy even if they live in it for a lifetime - democracy is about voting according to one`s conscience, not about voting according to one`s ethnicity or religion.

hossp:

``He doesn’t sound lefty to me. True lefties don’t propose Grand Muslim alliances``

Hmm, you know, a lot of people are reading that. But the impression I get is that he would give the same speech to anyone feeling disenfranchised and in this case it just happens to be Muslims. I get the lefty bit only from the particular newspaper he mentioned. I do agree with the overall thrust of the article in the sense that taking ownership of political rights is a good thing. Now, even if one organizes based on community initially, for a minority to succeed, in essence it must buy the faith/goodwill of the majority.

Anyways, good to read your views. Welcome to Chowk. I have not seen your interacts before but look forward to more of the same.

romair,

.......... we are all so glad you moved to the people`s republic of canada ......... don`t worry about us - we will be okay

Mr. Minai,
Since unlike some of the other contributors who don`t bother to interact (Tarik Fateh comes to mind) you have been quick to respond, I`d like to ask exactly what the ``muslim grievance`` is. Is it that american foreign policy appears to be anti-muslim or that muslims are mistreated in this country or that Islam is under attack or all of the above. As you probably know anyone visiting this country is now finger printed whereas muslim citizens are not. In the absence of any concerted attack on Islam or muslims what would be the motivation for muslims to come together? Also why should their religion matter? Muslims have been in the UK far longer. What`s the situation there? Should muslim organizations admit ahmedias and ismailis? Should the shias and sunnis come together? Is the purpose to present a united front or to educate the american public? Are the muslims expected to repudiate some of the excesses of the devoutly religious? Finally, do you see some muslim organization operating at a local level that you`d like to hold up as a model for a national organization? What about CAIR?

Stuka!

I agree with you. That’s why I suggested that people should go the Bars, softball games and block parties or just mingle. You can’t pursue any political agenda unless people know you and trust you.

He doesn’t sound lefty to me. True lefties don’t propose Grand Muslim alliances. If I were to have any alliance, I would rather have it with people from the sub continent as I share many things vs. just one thing with people from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia or Malaysia. Not that I have any thing against them. I just don’t see them as my natural partners

You and many others are on the money that there will be consequences for all if something stupid were to happen. You take what comes your way. That is life. One must also consider that 9-11 came from nowhere, still a vast majority reacted with lots of restraints. Lots of water has since gushed under the bridge, and people are much more cognizant of certain problems.

There are many distortions of history in the Minai piece; I understand that he was not doing some research. He was probably awake six nights to even write that much English what to talk of editing and re-writing.

Arjun,

Read Nickle and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich and get back to us (you can get it at the library) ...or stay tuned to my ilog and I`ll have something there for you soon....

arjun,

the undocumented worker contributes a lot more to the economy than he takes out of your or my tax dollar .......... think about it in terms of the impact on the gnp ......

.......a mexican bricklayer in texas makes less than ten dollars an hour whereas a union guy makes 30-35 an hour ............. an undocumented polish or bulgarian painter will paint your house for 10-15 an hour while ``tax-paying`` joe sixpack will do it for 30 (for cash) or 35 if you pay by check.............. most undocumented workers do not draw welfare, food stamps lor ssi ike legal immigrants and inner city single mothers ............ you and i couldn`t afford lettuce, tomatoes or cherries if farmers had to pay full wages .............

........... some good folks see this as exploitation, but in pure economic terms undocumented workers are the best thing since slavery!....... at the same time, the undocumented worker lives a lot better in Laredo than his cousin working in the maquiladoras across the border ...............it is a win-win for everyone - the only people who have a problem with it are racist politicians and lazy white people who want twenty bucks an hour to lay sod!

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

saminashah/hamidm #various: I think Muslims (and indirectly Pakistanis) are in a crucial state in the USA, at the moment. I think once a person has migrated to a country, then if not for their own sake, then at least for their children`s sake, they have to either decide to become a part of that society, or migrate back to where they came from (or migrate out of the country to a third country, if they disagree with the policies of that country).

Uptil 9/11, this was the dilemma facing the Pakistanis in USA. Not a bad problem to have. They could go either way. However, now things have changed somewhat, and will change drastically if another attack occurs.

The position of the Pakistani community in the USA society, is now no longer in control of this community. It is dependent on a range of factors, outside the control of this community (unlike before 9/11). The US govt. has declared open season on the Middle East. One can put it under the category of Jewish conspiracy, or right wing neo-cons or WMD or to liberate the Middle East etc. Doesn`t matter. The fact is that this will have reprecussions on the Pakistanis in the USA.

The Middle Easterners (those with no links with the USA) will attack the USA again, since the violence is now spiralling upwards in this, ``with us or against us`` situation. According to the CIA, another attack will occur in the USA.

Suppose you wake up tomorrow morning and find out that a Boeing 747 of some Middle Eastern airline flew into the Houston astrodome, during the Super Bowl. What happens? How will the Pakistanis in the USA deal with it?

I really don`t think it will make much difference if they start abusing Osama (or Islam) or Pakistan (for that matter) at the top of their lungs. It won`t matter if they even switch their religion. The society will place them into a certain bucket depending on its own biases and prejudices and insecurities.

This is not unique to the USA or the Pakistani (or Muslim) community. This is what happened to the Jews, and the Japanese and to everyone else. I am sure the Jews and Japenese considered themselves un-hyphenated Americans. Yet they suffered a great deal.

This is the kind of event and situation that Pakistanis in the USA need to prepare themselves for. Unfortunately, one still does not see any preparation for that. People are too busy arguing amongst themselves. Those blaming the Jewish lobby and those blaming the introverted Abduls are equally missing the point. Neither of these blames is going to solve their problem.

What they need to do is accept the reality of what maybe around the corner and prepare themselves for it. Some things that come to mind would be as follows:

- Vote for someone in office, who will get the USA out of the Middle East. Even if the Pakistanis believe the Middle East should be liberated, through force, their primary concern should be reducing the chances of another attack occuring in the USA. This will only increase if the USA keeps getting involved in more violence in the Middle East

- Get their whole community into the mainstream of the USA. Rather than making fun of the Abduls, accept the fact that the majority, under a pressure situation, will put all Pakistanis into the same category. Primarily because majorities look at names and skin color and ethnicities when deciding the bucket a minority belongs to

- Even if they abhor their own community, accept the fact that until their own community advances, the odds will always be stacked against them as individuals, regardless of how much, they themselves, fit into the mainstream society

- Have a backup plan of what to do, if the s//*it does eventually hit the fan. Personally speaking, I really don`t know what may happen if another attack occurs (as the CIA is saying). Who knows what the reaction of the majority maybe.

P.S. I think the Pakistani community in the USA could learn a lot from the Pakistani community in Canada. The Pakistani community in Canada is far far more empowered and politically active than the Pakistani community in the USA. Canadian federal ministers regularly attend Pakistani functions and are on all the Pakistani talk shows all the time. The leader of oppostion and even the Prime Minister are at Pakistani shows. Last year, Paul Martin, the current PM, attended a Pakistani show, wore a Jinnah cap, raised the Pakistani flag, spoke for 30 minutes and even let out a few Pakistan Zindabads, after which he and his ministers in waiting watched Abrar sing Nach Punjaban.

Granted that the Israeli lobby (while I do not believe in Jewish conspiracies, I do accept that there is an extremely strong very anti-Arab Isreali lobby in the USA) is not nearly as strong in Canada as in the USA, but I have to say, Pakistanis and Muslims here are decades ahead in these areas, in comparison to the US Muslims