[Islam-Online- Society]

We are the young Muslims of America. We are the first generation of Muslim youth raised in America. Some of us are also the grandchildren of the early pioneers who laid the groundwork for Islam in America. Some of us are the children of converts who learned about Islam during the transition of the pre-1975 Nation of Islam to the sunnah teachings. Some of us are the children of white, Hispanic and Native American converts whose families still wonder what appeal Islam has for their children. Some of us are the children of immigrants who came to America to improve their way of life by seeking employment in a variety of U.S. industries and educational opportunities in universities throughout America.

Some of us came to America as refugees during the conflicts in Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq and Kosova. We were uprooted from our homes to find ourselves in the "land of milk and honey". We went from our society to the horrors of refugee camps to a society so culturally different from our own. We were surprised to meet American Muslims and hear "AsSalaamuAlaikum"

Some of us are students from a variety of largely Muslim countries around the world. We came seeking our engineering and medical degrees here but we plan to return to our homes and families overseas when we graduate. Some of us decided to convert to Islam at a time when our non-Muslim friends were partying and dating. We did this even though none of our family members were Muslim. Some of us were outcasts from our friends and family and others were blessed with supportive family who really want to understand what Islam means to us.

We are Muslim. Islam is our religion. We believe in Allah and Prophet Muhammad (saws). Some of us have made a strong commitment to the practice of our religion. Some of us never really learned about the deep religious aspects of Islam. Still others of us never had the chance to learn what Islam really means because we were not allowed to practice Islam in our country. The girls could not wear a scarf. The men were not allowed to wear a beard without having their life threatened. Too much Islam was not allowed. We could barely keep our five daily prayers and before we knew it we were hardly praying at all. For many of us Islam is the culture of our people. We are Muslim because our parents and grandparents and generations before us were Muslim. Many of us are just learning about Islam as new Muslims, and as those who have made our own personal commitment to Islam.

Being Muslim in America in the year 2000 holds a different meaning for all of us. Many of us feel empowered by the growth of Islam in America. We are excited to be active members of the Muslim community and to build a bridge between the Muslims and Non Muslims. Some of us are active da’eeahs even though you don't see us at the mosque. Dismayed by the portrayal of Islam by those who let culture, politics and male chauvinism guide them rather than the essence of Islam and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) we have chosen not to remain under the leadership that we see. Others of us are private about being Muslim, not wanting to broadcast our beliefs, but still very clearly practicing Islam. Some of us are so disheartened and dispirited, embarrassed to identify ourselves as Muslims, weak in faith, not thinking Islam is a way to fulfillment.

We respect our Imams but we are concerned when they are transplanted from countries overseas with little knowledge, experience or training on how to relate to us. Khutbahs are often conveyed in Arabic or English with so much Arabic terminology that it might as well have been Arabic; we don't understand it. The Khutbahs speak about important things happening in other places but almost never speak to our concerns here. The concerns of our brothers and sisters are our concerns but somehow we don't feel connected. Rarely does the Imam know our name or ask our opinion. Often he seems so aloof and righteous that we dare not ask him a question for fear it will appear that we are not striving to be good Muslims. We hold him in high esteem but dare not approach him.

We are the Muslim youth of America. We are looking for our place, our identity in this world. We have brought with us so many cultures and languages and ways of practicing our religion. We are struggling to find a balance between them all. One day, we will be the Imams and the community leaders and the teachers. One day, Islam will no longer be an import from far away corners of the earth.