Letter to an American Muslim

Valaikum-assalaam, ali minai.


It is heartening to note that aasalaam-alaikum is no more a dirty word on CHOWK.
and from ali minai , it is even more welcome.

written with the same passion is this and I hope that you`ll find it as rewarding.

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Worth repeating.


The Enlightenment
Hussein Al-Khanjar

We will unify the Muslim people around the world under one banner. The banner of real Islam. Not the corrupted Islam spoon fed to us by millionaire politicians who siffon our peoples money away to Swiss bank accounts. Not the corrupted Islam deformed and ruined by hypocrite liars who wish to enslave Muslims in their own countries and become the millionaire politicians they promised to free us from. Not the corrupted Islam brought to us by so called ``modernists`` who throw all our culture to the wind in favour of everything western. Not the corrupted Islam of self proclaimed ``Islamic Scholars`` who try and talk us into hating and turning against our brothers because they are Shia, Ibadi, Sufi or anyone else from a group outside their own, and not the corrupted Islam that terrorist groups use to steal away our brothers and brainwash them into believing that western powers are behind all our woes and we are not the least bit responsible for our own lives and conduct.


The renaissance of the Islamic people is coming.



It will not come by blowing up Americans or changing Islam to conform to what western countries believe is the appropriate way for it to be. The renaissance will come from the individual enlightenment of the Muslim man, woman, and child who will demand from their leaders and from themselves the Islam that was practiced by the prophet (saws), his four rightly guided successors and the twelve succeding Imams. The simple Islam that taught us how to be warriors, teachers, scientists and gentlemen. The Islam that made us proud to be Muslims. The basis of the Islamic philosophy of living is ``Adaab`` which is proper behaviour. Adaab is the basis of Islam because it teaches us how to interact with other human beings in our daily life, and this extends to our conduct as soldiers, business people, or leaders of the community.

Simplicity is the key because it is the basis of the warriors philosophy which is essentially Islamic philosophy since the founder and the first propogators of Islam were the finest of warriors who knew that difficult complicated things do not function in the real world. Young Muslims listen! We are alive and we are responsible and we must show the world that Islam is the finest philosophy, this we can do by perfecting our adaab. Awaken yourselves and bring the world the real Islam, bring it with your heart and soul and fight the Jihad Bin Nafs (inner struggle) everyday. Brothers and Sisters, philosophy, medicine, martial arts, mathematics, freedom of speech, all these things were possesions of the Islamic people in the times of the prophet and only through our individual actions can we bring those things back and make them part our our ummah again. These are the possesions that made our nation great and an inspiration to all others. Real Islam creates balance and harmony in life and any version of Islam that does not provide us with the things that make us great is corrupted. False Islam in Saudi Arabia has enslaved our sisters not allowing them even the basic right to drive, foreign Jewish occupiers in Palestine have abused the indigineous Muslims and stolen their land and dignity.

This is the condition of the Ummah simply because we have allowed ourselves to be broken apart and corrupted. This is not a call to some puritanical and fanatic ideal of the pure Muslim state free of ``western evils``, firstly there are no such things as western evils, I grew up in Canada and I chose Islam instead of Canadian culture which was different but not wrong because that is their culture and their right to make it however they want. My choice was to live as a Muslim. I am sure if some ruler would have told me to take Islam or else face punishment like the Taliban did, I would have rebelled and turned against Islam immediatly like so many of my young brothers and sisters have in oppressive situations.

I write this article to call all the Muslim youth together to stand up and fight for Islam and represent Islam the way the holy Prophet (saws) did by showing people that what we have is good and that starts by being good ourselves. Good things draw people, bravery draws people, chivalrous character draws people, polite behaviour draws people, anger and negative energy only pushes them farther from you and your message. I will end my essay by showing you some techniques you can use to better your character and improve your Iman (faith).

First, Sabr (patience), next time someone starts saying something you dislike just leave and go cool off don`t attack right away and start an argument, strive every day in this.

Second, Adaab (good manners), next time you are on the subway and you see someone older than you offer them your seat. Offer some change to the poor man you see on the street. If a stray dog wanders by you throw a piece of your sandwich to him and wish him well because he is your animal brother. No other reason. Strive with this everyday.

Third, Salam (peace), as soon as you feel yourself about to get angry pull back! relax and say nothing, think nothing and breath. If someone else wants to start an argument or fight cool them down and try to calm the situation, don`t be fuel for a fire, always try to stop problems and make peace. Strive with this everyday.

Fourth, don`t criticize other peoples beliefs. They believe what they want and you believe what you want. Never criticize other Muslims because they are shia, sunni, or whatever. Who cares if Imam Ali(as) or Imam Abu Bakr (as) should have been khalifa, the prophet (saws) loved them both and so should we. This is 2002 and we have to worry about right now not politics from 1500 years ago.

Fifth, don`t listen to so called scholors or sheikhs who tell you everybody is evil except Muslim guys they say are good. They are using you for their own political gain not because they care about you. If the sheikhs care so much about Muslims why didn`t Bin Laden and his friends make a Jihad and send the starving Muslim children in Afghanistan to school. Or the Kuwaiti sheikhs can give some of their gold and mercedes benzes to pay for a new community center in Indonesia instead of the garbage dumps the kids play in now. If you want a sheikh, choose one that encourages you to go to school, take care of your family, practice martial arts, protect the innocent people and be a Mujahideen warrior like the Imam Ali, that is a real Muslim Sheikh.

The grievance is what exactly? That an elderly gentleman was fingerprinted (not because of his religion btw) and someone was denied a visa and some muslim immigrants were arrested? I think the author means well but I have to respectfully disagree with his prescription that muslims must now organize as a group. That to me (a nonmuslim) is a certain route to ghettoizing. It says that muslims who until now have little to unite them other than religion are coming together for no reason other than a shared sense of victimhood. Could be a legitimate reason but it also is a negative approach. Moreover, when you alienate the larger society (on the basis of religion - what does a somali share with a pakistani that is special?) no amount of organizing is going to help. American arabs who raised funds and voted for dubya learned that lesson very quickly.
Civil rights are no doubt under attack when all that stands between any citizen and prison is the president`s indifference or good will. What is needed is for every person to get involved politically and try to make a change.

ahem...
it felt as if he was talking directly to me....

``If African-Americans voted Republican and Democrat in equal numbers every time, neither party would pay attention to them. Their political influence is significant precisely because they vote (mostly) as a bloc, and it is in both parties’ interest to sway the bloc to their side. ``

Bullshit. If the blacks kept their options open, both parties would woo them. Exactly as they do with the Latinos. Right now the Democrats are taken for granted by the Democrats and ignored by the Republicans. The Blacks are lowest on the political totem poll.

``Remember, the goal is not so much to get actual news (go to the BBC, the Guardian or the Independent for that) as to hear the voices of opinion-makers in American society. ``

Ahh the Guardian. Beacon of the British left. So the Guardian produces facts and the New York Times gives opinions? Interesting. Maybe Pravda is the Bible?

Well well, a few obvious leftist biases here and there, but overall a good article. Rather, a good call to action. Focus on the positive and take ownership of your land.

Sorry:

``Right now the Democrats are taken for granted by the Democrats and ignored by the Republicans``

should have read...

``Right now the African Americans are taken for granted by the Democrats and ignored by the Republicans``

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Ali Ahmed Minai:

This is a very good eye opening article. But I have my biggest reservation in that I don`t think that there is any thing like Muslims. There are ethnic groups and nationalities, who are Muslims, but there is no such thing as Muslims as a coherent group of people. The earlier Pakistanis understood and accept the reality the better. What commonalities do Pakistani Muslims have with Egyptians or Nigerians? Yes, to a certain extent Afghans and Indian Muslims may be included in the ambit, but that is about all.

Other than that, if addressed to Pakistanis, the article would make every bit of sense. Except that Pakistani population in the USA may not have reached that critical mass to bring about changes.

Stuka:4

Most of the academics have this socialist bug in them. It comes with the territory. Book readers and churners are seldom entrepreneurs. They are constantly busy whining and lamenting about the playing field. Naach naa jaanay..etc

Most of the writer-types were sissy-types in school. victims of bullies, and afraid of team-sports. Sad, but true.

This chip on their shoulder they carry throughout their lives and turn it into a creed and now believe in a technicolor-man`s burden. They get rejuvenated egos by praising each others work. Theirs is nothing but a priesthood of passing edicts upon the creation of those who never went to, or dropped out of school, (businessmen, pop-singers, inventors, artistsetc --you know the gulli-koochaa-mohalla wallahs ) and actually DID something.

The academic and intellectual always occupies the passengers seat but always wants the system to change so that he too can have cheauffer driven rights.

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If Ali Minai, despite his tower-of-pisa leanings (what a howl this western way of descibing bent of minds) has a soft corner for muslims then be he democrat or republican, if it is Muslim first--then it is fine.

Too long-winded. Lost interest about half-way through and stopped. Found it replete with pleading, personal opinions and assumptions...in other words, a complete turn-off. It lacks intensity and focus, is boring, and hence would fall on deaf ears. A good idea wasted on bad writing.

Nicely done.

What is particularly strong about this piece is that it offers no easy bromides like ``Islam is the ONLY way`` or ``American democracy is the ONLY way`. The history of humankind is vastly more complex and has seen innumerable narratives. In the ``in betweeness`` of South Asian American identity, subscribing to such systems offers easy solace, but it in no way addresses the kinds of issues that we are facing and will continue to face. It does not address the kinds of realities we face daily.

I`d offer a suggestion to the excellent advice that the author has proscribed and that is to watch how the second generations of South Asians organize and work with them. There are many orgs along the lines of Mannavi, Sakhi, DRUMZ, Asian Pacific Forum who have been organizing on fairly competant and articulate understandings of the domestic and international policies facing the South Asian diaspora. Go to their websites-which Chowk has provided on the margins of each webpage and see what they are about. Go to their events and educate yourselves on what they do and how they do it-these groups have been operating for approximately 10-15 years mostly, and it is no small feat. Dialogue respectfully with younger South Asian Americans/Brits on how and why they organize-the chasm that exists between these two generations only serves to underscore a prevalent miscommunication. The last desi family/friends function I attended consisted of each generation hastening to separate rooms to discuss politics, etc. It was as if we all knew there was no middle ground between perspectives-and this can only weaken us as a community.

Further to what I mentioned, a George Mitchell or a Ralph Nader is not immediately identified as an arab american. Had they joined one of the arab american groups, they would not be what they went on to become. Jews could organize because of the sympathy factor. Other groups will find it hard to duplicate what the jews have done.

The Jews succeeded in assimilating in the US by changing their last names, disowning their faith and inter-marrying with the gentiles. If Muslims want to blend-in (become non-threatening) and succeed like them, they too will have to lose their identity. No, you cannot have this cake and eat it too.

And let`s face it, unlike jews, who have an infallible sense of community, muslims who get out of prestigious univ.`s have only one thing on their minds: $. Charity, social work, community involvement is an anathema to them. ``Hamarey paas in fazool cheezouN kai liyea time nahi hai!``.

The best they can do, is pay lip service at the eve news, or bore us here at Chowk. They can become journalists, media moghuls and what-not, but when you aren`t sincere with anything except your narrow self-interest, what`s the use ?.

Even the juTT-chiTroll today has been unable to coalesce this self-involved bunch, who like a virus, is willing to go into hibernation, until the current storm blows over...in a few decades as Ali puts it.

Have to agree with Ahmadzai here, Muslims are not an identity group. Might as well say that Europeans should organize or that Roman Catholics should. Just because I am Pakistani Sunni Muslim doesn`t mean that I have anything in common with a Nigerian Sunni Muslim; probably have more in common with an Indian Sikh than the Nigerian.

As 1971 proved so disasterously for us, a shared religion is worth camel-piss as a binding agent. Language, culture, history, in short, REAL ethnicity is a much more effective glue.

However, that being said, there is some merit to this piece. Become a real American, join the PTA, drink Budweiser, watch the Superbowl, let your daughter go to Stanford (five hundred miles from home), marry outside the faith/nationality, contribute generously to PACs, have your children do an internship with a Senator in DC, go into local politics, run for State Senator, become the Mayor, join the Kiwanis/Lions/Elks AND then you will have finally assimilated. At that point, the govt will finally pay as much attention to you as they do to Jewish Americans. Otherwise, forget it.

Fuzair/ Ahmadzai:

``Have to agree with Ahmadzai here, Muslims are not an identity group``

I would be the last person to sympathize with Pan Islamic causes. I would asset though, the reality of American politics defines identity by need. Hence a Pakistani American may have more in common with other Asian American on certain needs (reverse discrimination of affirmative action) and may share a political identity with non Pakistani Muslims in other cases. (Perception of Islam, certain provisions of the Patriot Act) etc.

A very perceptive, accurate and timely article. Though too long-winded (but that is besides the point). I think the first two paragraphs were the best parts.

People gel into groups depending on the pressures that society imposes on them. Muslims (and South Asians), as this article points out, have had a much easier time in the US society, in comparison to every other minority group that is settled here. This is because by the time the Muslims and South Asians started arriving in droves, all the other minority groups had already fought the battles against bigotry, to get the USA to a point where it had developed a fair system.

However, 9/11 seems to have partially changed that.

Countries and people behave in strange ways, when they are attacked. Friends can turn into the worst of enemies. After all, Jews had lived in Europe for a long time. And while they had been prosecuted, but could anyone have predicted what Hitler was going to do?

The internal safegaurds built into the US system have been able to check any massive discrimination that could have occured after 9/11. However, these safegaurds have been pushed to their limits. I think the USA is one terrorist attack away from declaring open season (relatively speaking) on Arabs. And through that, on Muslims. And through that on Pakistanis (and probably on people who look like Pakistanis). Even though Pakistanis are amongst the most law-abiding citizens in the USA.

Already according to one survey, around half of Americans feel that all Arabs (including US citizens) should carry special ID cards.

The reason the Jews and Blacks are such united and strong communities (at least on political issues) is because they historically could not have survived had they not been so united. There must be many differences between their sub-communities, but when it comes to issues related to their communities, as a whole, they forget those differences.

There reasons Muslims are split into Nigerians Sunnis and Pakistani Sunnis is because they have never had to face any social pressures that required unity. I think now this may slowly start to change. Muslims will, by compulsion, have to start to accept each other, and form a pressure group. Regardless of how much they like or dislike each other.

Being part of a society involves far more than just, ``fitting in`` by drinking beer and having unprotected sex. It involves far more than making fun of one`s own community (or religion) or declaring one`s self to be an athiest or Bhuddhist. All these actions may make the individual who is carrying them out, feel like an American. But one only fits into the society, if the majority of the society accepts the individual. I think a majority of Americans (specially after 9/11) will judge a beer-drinking, Islam-bashing non-Abdul to still be an Abdul, regardless of how hard he/she tries to let everyone know that he hates Abduls. His father will be fingerprinted with the same intensity as the father of an Abdul. The majority will only accept him as an, ``American`` if his whole community is accepted as, ``American.``

It is due to this reason that super-orthodox Jews, wearing black clothes, with long curls (all things that make them stand out in any American city) are accepted as Americans by the majority, while beer-drinking, overly self-critical Muslims in Bermuda shorts watching an ice-hockey game will not be. Even if they become athiests.

Individuals can, thus, never be accepted into a society, until the whole community is accepted, i.e. Abduls and non-Abduls.

I agree with the author that things will get worse before they get better, but only if the Republicans stay in power, or if another attack occurs (in which case they will get really bad). However, they will slowly return to normal, if Republican neo-cons are kicked out, in this election.

In the mean time, this may be the catalyst that forces the Muslims in the USA to organize and accept the fact that others will always judge them to be part of their own community, whether they want to be a part of it or not. And that it is in their better interest to ensure not only their own participation in the mainstream, but getting this whole community into the mainstream.

The other option is to remain in a state of denial and continue to think that when John Ashcroft comes knocking, he will only target the bearded Abduls, and will not go after them - the yupppie Coors drinking non-Abduls. They may be surprised when they realize that to John Ashcroft both are Abduls.

After all, they guys who flew into the WTC were all non-Abduls.

I read the first couple of paras and the final para.

I agree with the final para: America has literally shown the torch of liberty to the rest of the world. When the US gained independence, Europe and Asia were ruled by absolute monarchs. The ordinary man in the US first ``fired the shot heard around the world`` - and within a century Europe was transformed, and within two centuries the ``shot heard around the world`` was resounding in Asia and Africa and Latin America as well.

I disagree with the opening paras:

1. First, it grossly exaggerates the insecurities felt by the pakistani-americans. While no doubt many Pakistanis had to leave the US, the fact is that every single one of them was here illegally. This simple fact is overlooked in the article. And this brings me to my second point of disagreement:

2. The article assumes a certain set of values on the part of the pakistani americans - that they are materialistic. This is true for some people who CHOSE to break the law in order to be able to stay illegally in the US. However, many Pakistani-americans would never have stayed behind in the US if they were unable to do so legally - for them respect for the law (which is in turn a reflection of their self-respect) is more important than material wealth. All of us dont need a mercedes to prove that we are wealthy (and yes, I never bought a mercedes or any car other than a good solid japanese honda or toyota) even though i could easily do that. And this is true for countless people in the US - their self-worth is not wrapped up in what they think people think of their wealth situation.
And this brings me to my third point:

3. Many Pakistani-Americans have gone back to Pakistan over the past twenty years for family reasons - and if anything, they live better than they did in the US (with servants, the value of being close to their families).

Maybe I will go back and read the rest of the article. But interesting topic.