American Muslims and the Rediscovery of America's Sacred Ground
This is a chapter from a new book on religious pluralism in America. It explores how the American Muslim community has negotiated the idea of pluralism and America's public sphere while mainstreaming Islam. To read the chapter click here or on the title.
3 Comments:
I just wanted to say that in response to pg. 132 in chapter 7...the West is not discriminating only against Muslims for wanting time off on Fridays for prayer. In a Supreme Court Case (which I will post as soon as I find the name), a Christian who was terminated from work for refusing to work on Sunday appealed his case to the Supreme Court who ruled against religious reasons for not being able to work. In the application of the Lemon Test to decide whether an act is unconstitutional or not, it was determined that by allowing someone to not work because of religion was seen as advancing that religion.
Although there is definitely discrimination that occurs against Muslims like the Patriot Act you brought up, this is not that instance.
Yo Muqtedar Khan Why you so dark skinned? Oh yeah I know why you're a fucking indian You ain't a real muslim. Real muslims are Arabs who are light skinned tall warriors Not some short ugly ass darkskinned south indian
VICTORIA - Cailey you have made a good point, however Muslims do not need to take off from work, only to take a break. As Jummah(congregational prayer) occurs around 1-2 pm, it could be acommadated with minimal interference or loss of productivity. The difference between the two is that in Islam it is mandatory to attend Jummah prayers. To miss them is to overtly disobey one of the precepts of Islam.
While in Christianity Christians are commanded to remeber the sabbath day and keep it holy, Jesus(ata) himself also healed on that day to the dismay of the Pharisees.
and said,"Who among you if your sheep falls into a pit, will not get it out?"(on the sabbath day)
There is no doctrinal mandate for Christians to refran from work, or even attend services. It is recommended but still optional.
There is a difference between advancing a religion, and prohibiting its mandates.
A more equivalent situation would be prohibiting an Orthodox Jewish person from observing their sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, but I have never heard of such a case.
But after all, it is just an hour or two, not taking the entire day off- and it is not optional for a Muslim (man anyway) to neglect this imperative duty.
Women are given the option to attend or not attend. Not as a discrimination against them, but as a mercy because often women are the nurturers of babies and small children whose needs cannot be suspended so easily.
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