The Dilemma
A well written and thought out article by Firas Ahmad in Islamica Magazine on the dilemma Muslims in America face in this year’s election. However, the part I have quoted below is what I found most interesting. I do not believe that most Muslims understand this:
Policy and political decision making in America is not decided entirely on Capitol Hill. It is decided in the complex interaction of think tanks, academic institutions, book stands, radio shows, the evening news, newspapers, editorial pages, opinion polls, Hollywood blockbusters and much more. It is the confluence and interaction of all these institutions that inform how politicians behave, not the other way around. Politicians are simply seeking votes, and votes are determined by people’s inclinations, perceptions, prejudices and perspectives. If you want to win politicians, you have to build constituencies by changing the way people think.
If Muslims do not want to suffer the indignation of political irrelevance for many elections to come, instead of giving money to politicians, they should start investing in journalism scholarships. They should establish fellowships for Muslim academics to take a year off and write a book for a general audience, and then back them up with a PR firm to get the book on a best seller list. They should invest in publications that demonstrate a breadth and depth of thinking on a range of issues. They should invest in think tanks that analyze public issues and present actual value to the overall public discussion. All of these institutions exist right now for Muslims in America. But for the most part they are underfunded, underappreciated and undervalued. Because the community in general has not rallied behind them, they are for the most part invisible. Because they are invisible, Muslims are effectively invisible when it comes to Obama or any other serious candidate.
The good news is that this conversation is taking place and this is about to change as I know that some projects similar to the above are being proposed. However, he continues…
Another real tragedy here is that the part of the Muslim community that has made significant headway in all these areas, the Blackamerican community, remains effectively marginalized from leadership roles in the larger Muslim establishment in America. Blackamerican Muslims have been civicaly, politically and socially engaged in America for centuries. The rest of the Muslim community discovered these words a few years after 9/11. If all Muslims did was change the public perception of Islam in America to identify more with Blackamerican Islam than Arab or Pakistani Islam, the community would move forward in leaps and bounds. It is no accident that the first Muslim congressman is black. Until the Muslim leadership in America begins to recognize and reflect this historical reality, progress on a number of fronts will be slow. The Middle East and the subcontinent will remain powder kegs for decades to come.
Blackamerican Muslims also have to”step up” and realize that no one is going to give them anything simply because they are “entitled”. If efforts could be made to make sure that at least some of the journalism scholarships could be given to Blackamerican Muslims, that would do much.
Other than to help try to stop the litany of bad advice that Blackamerican Muslims are given (usually by other blacks), another great idea is to have scholarship funds for those that are working hard trying to get their lives in order by going back to college and/or trade school for those that may be a little older. In the long term, I feel that this would help to bridge a lot of the social gaps that we see in the communities.
Filed under: Changing World, Muslim Isolation, Practical Solutions
Great post, excellent points
One thing I’ll say is that I’ve been interviewing Muslim political scientists(and they are very few) to solicit for a think-tank here in the US. I have some help from other teachers and professors but honestly, we haven’t received a lot of interest as of yet.
Mr. Nelson,
I will agree, especially when you mention the part about Black Muslims( In this case)” stepping up”. I can relate to this as I’m an older person who is going( and about to graduate) from college. I have had people to tell me give it up because I’m older(in my thirties). I feel like this: The door will open up for me or anybody else who want to see their dreams come to past.I do not feel that God has me awaken me and come this far without a purpose. I don’t know what that might be, but only knows best for me.
If those guys are getting that bad advice from fellowmen/women, maybe they should not listen to them and find more uplifting people to be around. Such mentalities and poor advice that you metioned in you blog is hurting Black people more than anything.One’s race should have nothing to with their
desires to make differences in their lives. If they have the brains, talent, desires deterimination to do and can afford it( or win scholarships), then it can be done.
this was a nice thing to see first thing in the morning
Agree completely. In fact, I’d go further, and say to the non Black American Muslims that they should focus all their efforts into aiding the Black American Muslim community (and I’d also say perhaps even the non Muslim Black community as well).
As for stepping up, I feel sometimes that Black American Muslims are afraid to raise their voices about their particular issues within the Muslim community they’re in. I’m sure the rejections in the past, and being told to be ‘Just Muslim’ doesn’t help, but you are bound to find some allies.
To immigrant Muslims: There are plenty of people with half a brain ‘back at home’, they can stand on their own feet without help from abroad. To think otherwise is to belittle their intelligence.
ASA This Muslim think tank must be based on QURAN AND
SUNNAH, not american poli- sci.
SALAAMS TO ALL WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, GIVEN OBAMAS POSTION
ON GAYS ALONE HOW CAN MUSLIMS SUPPORT THE MAN.THERE IS NO
LAW HIGHER THAN THE LAWS OF ALLAH, WHICH IS QUITE CLEAR ON
SODOMITES OR LUTIES. THE QURAN TELLS US ALLAH DESTROYED
PEOPLE WHO PRACTICED THIS, AND IN ISLAM THERE ARE NO CIVIL
UNIONS BETWEEN TWO MEMBERS OF THE SAME SEX.
Rather We hurl the truth against falsehood and it cuts right through it and it vanishes clean away! (Qur’an, 21: 1
They try to conceal themselves from people, but they cannot conceal themselves from Allah. He is with them when they spend the night saying things which are not pleasing to Him. Allah encompasses everything they do. (Qur’an, 4: 10
THE SMOKE AND MIRROR SHOW DID NOT END WITH PHARAOHS
MAGICIANS.YOU CAN TAKE THIS OR LEAVE IT ALONE , JUST PLEASE
PRAY AND REFLECT BEFORE YOU MAKE ALL CHOICES.
If we follow the logic above, Moses wouldn’t have ever approached the Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!”
The fact is our prophets were engaged in society and addressed social ills by speaking and preaching against it openly.
It’s funny because so many Muslims I know have been discouraged others from becoming academics. If our co-religionists don’t discourage us, they sure don’t support us in those endeavors. Women are especially discouraged. We’re told just get married.
ASA IN REPLY TO MY SISTER MARGARI
I HOPE YOU MISSED MY POINT. PLEASE SHOW ME FROM QURAN AND SUNNAH 1 ABOUT GAY RIGHTS 2.ABOUT SO
CALLED CIVIL UNIONS REPLACING MARRIAGE.3.ANWHERE
WHERE THE PROPHET SUPPORTED SODOMY OR PARTIAL
ABORTION OF A FULL TERM FETUS. THE PROCESS IN
AMERICAN POLITICS IS A TEST, DO WE BELIEVE A MUSLIM CAN VOTE TO OVER COME ALLAHS LAWS.
HAVING SENT 8 CHILDREN THROUGH COLLEGE I SEE THE
VALUE OF EDUCATION, BUT IT MUST BE TEMPERED BY THE
RULES OF ALLAH. THE PROBLEM NOW IS NOT PHARAOH
LET MY PEOPLE GO, ITS MY PEOPLE LET GO OF PHARAOH.
Ibn Deen,
Why do you type in bold letters? It is very offensive and is considered cyber yelling.
Next: Can you tell us all just where Allah wants his creation to treat others of his creation badly? Even if that creation is gay or a pig, should we treat either of them harshly? Muslims of old fed pigs, built stocks for them and allowed them to live out their natural lives unless they were diseased. As for the people of Lut (as) did Lut (as) or Allah send a punishment? If you don’t believe in a pluralistic society fine, but doesn’t the Sunna incorporate this very thing, that is, pluralism? And if I’m not mistaken, the woman who threw feces on Prophet Muhammad (saws) and at his door was threatened with death by several of the Prophet’s companions but he withheld their anger from her and protected her from them. I think everyone sees where this is going so I won’t say or reply to much else.
Margari,
Forgive me if I may seem ignorant as I’m still learning about the Muslim faith, but far as those Muslims that you and some others have spoken about, How on earth can those guys( you mentioned on your post) want less from their members?
I desire to be Muslim and even if I do become one, I hope that I wouldn’t come across those guys. My mother was single parent who raised three children. We struggled after my dad realized that he could no longer deal with an (almost) Stafford Wife( he wanted my mother to be a traditional house wife). From then on My siblings and I said if we could help it we wasn’t going down that road and so far, I’am making good on my promise.
I don’t have any children, but I treat my nephews as my own. One of the things I try to do with them is encouraging them to do their best, with hopes that maybe they will go to college, lead a productive and positive lives. I hope that they will outdo us( and if not, i’ll love my little boos no matter what.). It isn’t about trying to make robots out them, but I’m tired of being around pessimissim that have surrounded me for half of my life I’m looking for something new and they ( hopefully) will represent the “new”–a new generation of prosperity and hope. My statement may sound like broken record, but I’m sincere when I say it.
Forgive me , but if I have to come across guys like that, I will have to carry my Ipod with me to the masjid. Depression+Depression=Misery, which is the last thing that we all need in our lives.
If we as Muslims choose to remove ourself from the American political process then we effectively lose our voice - by not voting we are giving leaders mandate to rule over us, and potentially harm us and billions of Muslims across the world. We are living as a minority, so don’t expect everything to be perfect.
ASA Charles
As stated you have not made a point about gays from Quran
and Sunnah. Please dont confuse the issue , there are many
Hadiths about gay sex. I hope you don’t consider the Prophets (a.s)
Homophobic as some who call themselves Muslim
have done. I am not saying you are, but please understand
that this issue is one of many that your pluralistic society
poses as a dilemma for Muslims. May ALLAH S.WT guide
us all
i
IBEN DEEN; Are you against Muslim minorities participating in politics? I hope you aren’t but if you are can you tell me what 150 million Muslims in India should do?
There is a CULT in Birmingham UK who with HT oppose Muslim from participating in politics, but to this day their Foot solider have never been able to answer me when I ask “how do you think we Muslims protected our right during British rule over India, and how do you think we are managing now”. They have no answer.
E.G Lord Nazir Ahmed led the rebellion in House of Lords to keep Section 28 Local Gov act in UK. The act states local authority “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.
People need to understand without participating you will not be able to protect your right.
and the cult is http://www.siratemustaqeem.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4234&highlight=vote
To my dear and respected brother Imran Khan there was an
article written by Sh. Mahmoud Ibrahim Al Amreeki that speaks
to my concerns
“Questions you must ask yourself.
Would the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) participate in a system of governance that would legislate to be allowed what Allah has made haraam ?
Was the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) every governed by any man made system?
Does the survival of the Muslim community in America depend upon participating in a system whose international policies continue to decimate Muslim lands?
Would the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) stand in front of the community of believers and ask them to advocate for a system of governance that allows men to marry other men?
Is participating in the voting process the only way to demonstrate that the American Muslim community is not a threat to other Americans ?
The Amish and the Jehovah’s Witnesses among others, have taken a principled position in this regard, they do not vote. Their loyalty is not questioned. Why then do we feel that voting and participating in the electoral process is the only way for Muslims to have legitimacy?
5000 Muslim children died a month in Iraq as a result of policies made by elected officials. Are you willing to stand before Allah and justify your participation in these deaths?
Is it the responsibility of every Muslim to implement Allah’s command in every aspect of life or just those areas of life that the un-believers are comfortable with?
Are Muslim leaders calling to the way of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) when they ask you to elect non-believers to govern over you with a system of governance not approved of by Allah?
The Children of Israel, after crossing the Red Sea asked Moses(a.s) and Haroon(a.s) to make for them a god like the gods of Pharoah, for this they were cursed. Is this what the Muslim leadership is asking of the community of believers ?”
These questions may be trivialized by others, but please think, make prayer before encouraging others to do what you may or may not be right about. I remain your brother.
Brother IBN DEEN,
I am not very emotion person, and you havt answerd my question. What do you want the 150 Million Muslim in India 2 Million in UK 5 Million in France?? We can’t all make “Hajra to KSA”? Not an option. At least Sunni and shia are not killing each other in masjids like they do in PAKISTAN!!
I don’t know much about USA system and would like to know how Amish and other protect their right, but I do know that without Voting and participating in politic we will not be able to protect our rights in UK. Already we are witnessing people moving form France to London due to Hijab ban.
Those who have power to stop killing should do their job such as kings and dictators not me. Better Still instead of pointing figure at other countries may be we should ask was it Nationalism that ended the Ottoman Empire?? May be we wouldn’t be in the mess??
How do we judge loyalty of people when two Muslims countries fight (like they have in the past)?? You brother in islam
ASA My dear and respected brother Imran Khan, first of all may
Allah (s.w.t) bless you and all my brothers in the U.K I make no
claim of being an alim or scholar , just one who has fought
racism in the U.S all my life.
The questions posed cant be taken lightly. Please if you feel the need to vote look at principled candidates who don’t betray
our values, I don’t know of any here. Also many Muslims left
home not for the pleasure of Allah, but for other reasons.
We say ” to thee we worship and thy aid we seek”. The truth
is we worship many other things by our deeds and actions.
Help is sought by looking to those who hate us for the solutions to our problems. I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND SIMPLISTIC. My thoughts are that Allah will let us try many
things until we realize there is no answer but deen.
I ask the question again, Is it the responsibility of every Muslim to implement Allah’s command in every aspect of life or just those areas of life that the un-believers are comfortable with?
Islam is a way of life our problem is we want to reinvent the
wheel. Brother i am far from perfect, but i know ISLAM holds
the answers to all our problems.
ASA To my brother and sisters who support Obama this is his official position on Sodomites. Please tell me from Quran and
Sunnah how a Muslim can agree with this.
Washington DC (CNA) — Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama has promised to use the presidency as a “bully pulpit” for homosexual activism, according to an open letter released on his campaign website.
In the February 28 letter posted under the “LGBT” section of the “People” heading, Senator Obama said he would press for the passage of hate crime laws and a “fully inclusive” Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws,” Obama said.
Obama said he favored civil unions over same-sex marriage laws, but said, “I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples…”
He pledged to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” practice that excludes open homosexuals from military service.
Obama said winning broad support for his positions was important, saying he would bring his LGBT activism to “skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones.”
“I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary,” he said.
He said he will convince you not me.