American Muslim Culture and Identity
We have had some really fascinating conversations about American Muslim identity and the complex nature of culture. In this article Dr. Abdullah, the scholar in residence with the Nawawi Foundation addresses the fundamental need for American Muslims - among the most promising, wealthiest and educated Muslim minorities in history - to consciously establish a new, unique cultural identity. Read the article and post your comments. To read the article click here.
6 Comments:
Salaams
This article speaks volumes in terms of stressing the importance of Muslim's involvement in American society and achieving a level of self actualization, consistency, stability and tranquility of faith in order for Muslim and Islamic culture to properly integrate with the rest of society and American culture.
The use of languages and the social sciences, arts, theater, literature, etc...are perfect examples of how Muslims historicaly were able to convey the message of Islam within the cultural context of each country. Muslims are still evolving as a community in American society and due to the political atomosphere are being forced to address the need for more scholars in Islamic studies and are being forced to develop innovative ways to convey the true message of Islam and at the same time address the spectrum of diversity that exists among Muslims...
wasalaam
I have a problem with Dr. Abd-Allah's main thesis, which is that somehow the American Muslim community must direct and build a Muslim culture (whatever he means by that, although there are some indications of the values he would like to see incorporated). As he says, "Development of a sound Muslim American culture must be resloutely undertaken..."
My problem with this is (i) that I do not think one can direct or impose a particular "culture" or set of values on a large group of people. Cultures develop over a large period of time based on a number of factors like language, food, religion, dress, customs etc., and it develops hapzardly. No one directs culture, although a strong charismatic leader (whom the community accepts) can greatly influence it. (ii) whose culture are we talking about? The African American Muslim community has a culture that has arisen based on their historical experiences which the immigrant Muslim community can neither share nor fully appreciate. Then there is the Arab culture, the South Asian culture and the Far Eastern culture which are all different. Our children are slowly shedding some facets of these cultures and assimilating others that belong to our host country. But this process takes time and I do not doubt that in another two or three generations, with sufficient comingling a Muslim American culture might develop. But this development would be haphazard and cannot be "intentional and pro active" as Dr. Abd-Allah proposes.
I agree with what farid is saying cultures develop naturally and over time...but I think that in terms of explaining the message of Islam to people through cultural venues such as music, literature, etc...and which are enjoyed by all cultures...this can be an excellent outlet for educating other people about Islamic values in this country...
Farid, you make an excellent point. Cultures are products of history and can we impose our will on it? What Dr. Abdullah and all of those who talk of a common American Muslim identity [as opposed to culture] are basically advocating a convergence of political interests and cultural activities around certain key issues that can be common to all American Muslims, regardless of their origin. For example we could all celebrate Thanks Giving with a special twist, such as fasting or making it a day of charity..
This author has impressed me as one who knows his subject. It is without doubt that this generation has produced a number of stimulating new trends. In the area of education there is a wealth of graduates, intellectuals and thinkers which conforms with Islam. The author has to the front many histosociological points pointing in the direction of the makings of a successful indigenous muslim identity. Although the 'positive' changes may be causing some confusion, the battle cry for change is evident. The handwriting is on the wall, muslims have seen the needs to assimilate and apprehend that which is good and reject that which is bad i.e. the acts or customs which does not conform with the sharia. This means, things like blatent immoral sexual and implied sexual immorality like skimpy clothing.
I did not find in this paper any concrete suggestions as to how we should direct and impliment this adjustment and who should take the initive to eliminate the confusion in order to have a unified sense of self and community, consistent and well intergrated patterns of behavior amalgamated with the North American culture per se.
I was particularly suprised about the prohecy by the Prophet Muhammed (saws) that al-Rum would predominate at the end of time. The general trend seems to confirm this. If this true, why are some muslim violently opposed to the 'white' europeans? Is the islamic elite and the european elite aware of thes prophecy?
If, according to my professor
Dr. Khan 'white' means those people who has the economic, technical, military, and political power and therefore total control; it is concivable that muslims can be successful. An example of this are the Jews. They are now 'white' with this line of reasoning I have a better grasp of this prophecy.
I appreciated this article. It was excellently written and struck a familiar chord within me in that, ever since I accepted Islam, as a Western Muslim, I have always felt that we do not have an indigenous Islamic culture but rather a hodge-podge imitation of what immigrant Muslims brought to the West. Consider, for example, what I wore today for the Eid-ul-Adha prayer at a mixed gathering of Muslims at the YMCA in Queens, NY: British Clark Boots, American Levi jeans, American wool blazer, Saudi white gown, and an Egyptian fez! But when I look at the Nigerian and Pakistani brothers besides me, I discern an indigenous Islamic culture that envelops them even they are US residents. You can tell one from the other. We are still a long way off in developing an indigenous Islamic culture as American Muslims, although some spontaneous features are starting to show themselves, as the article suggests.
I agree with Dr. Abdullah’s holistic definition of culture–that it refers to the entire integrated pattern of human behavior, which indicates its extensive societal scope. I am less optimistic than the author, however, about a futuristic unified culture indigenous emerging in US, for I think unity in diversity may be our greatest cultural asset. It is more important to me that we act with unity, purposefully, than demonstrate unity in appearance or the way we look.
I do share Farid's assertion that Dr. Abdullah seeks to impose an indigenous American Muslim culture on others. There is no evidence for such a case in the article. Nevertheless, I would dispute the author’s assertion, if I have understood him correct, to wit “the Qur’an enjoined Muhammad to adhere to people’s customs and usages and take them as a fundamental reference in legislation”. I think Dr. Abdullah overstates the case, may be reading too much into the aayah of the Qur’an he cites as evidence, and misunderstands the legalization of al-‘urf, which would entail a lengthy discussion.
Also, I am uncertain as to what the phrase “unmitigated culturally predatory Islamist” attitude
or ideology mentioned several times in the article means. Is Dr Abdullah referring to the Salafist or Wahabist trends? Or the jihadist? Or the Jamaat at-Tableegh? It remains an unknown variable to me.
Finally, I support the general thrust of the article and concur with Dr. Abdullah that
“development of a sound Muslim American cultural identity must be resolutely undertaken as a conscious pursuit and one of our community’s vital priorities.” So be it!
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