It was interesting to see some Muslim academics in the Arab countries talking about the weakening of Islam in the West as a consequence of the 9/11 incident and the actual war in Afghanistan.
How can you comment on this? And based on what? Please consider that here in the U.S. Muslims have more freedom and recognized as a part of the American society. Also consider the history of the U.S. as a land of immigration and diversity.
Thank you.
Answer
As to the weakness of Islam, I think the point is not the reduction of the numbers of Muslims or the decline in the influence of he Muslim community. The point is the decline in the image of Islam among the non-Muslim communities in North America, I'm referring to the fixation of Islam by the Muslims as a force of violence, aggression and terror. Nonetheless, I think number also matters. What one could easily expect much tougher immigration policy regarding Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. and Canada after the attacks. I believe that various forms of harassment may also urge many Muslims and Arabs to leave the streets and go to their home countries opposite to their original decision to migrate. I was talking about the implications and consequences of the Sept. 11th attacks.
Name
Ralf
-
Profession
Question
Do you have any proofs about any conspiracy against the Arabs & Muslims in the United States?
Answer
No. Definitely not. Zogby polls reveal a number of surveys in which the majority of Muslims in the United States did not feel any form of systematic descrimination or harrassment because of religion or race before Sept. 11th. With the attacks, many have expressed worries of a new climate of harrassment in the United States. This means that a conspiracy, as it was the shift in the public image of Muslims and Islam brought about by the Sept. attacks. One cannot rule out the Zionist influence on decisionmaking in the U.S. in relation to the Arab-Israeli conflict. A Zionist couldn't possibly focus on Islam as a religion, because they fear the backlash on Judaism.
Name
Naseem
- United States
Profession
student
Question
Some Muslim organizations here in the U.S. predict that the future of the Muslim community in the U.S. will be much better than the actual situation. Do you agree with that?
Answer
I'm inclined not to disagree on the short run. On the other hand, one would emphasize the importance of vigorous initiatives, dynamic engagements with the American civil society and culture and the capacity to project a model of Islamic morality and humanism. There is indeed a big question on Islam parallel to the attack on Washington and New York. The first impression that results from the attack is negative simply because those who are made responsible for the attacks claim to have done it in the name of Islam. But later on the question begs a better answer. It depends on how Muslims in the United States and in the Islamic world would provide the answer. The answer is partially built on explaining. I mean presenting Islam through debates and dialogues and various other forms of communication, but will also depend on actual conduct of Muslims in the United States and the Islamic world. As far as Islam is understood so as to inspire creative moral and bright solutions to problems faced by the entire humanity one could be optimistic. The opposite may lead to further decline in the image of Islam in the West. Let me put it this way, my image of any religion or moral system depends on the way I get impressed by the actual conduct of the people who belong to this religion or system. Because in the Arab world we are highly undeveloped, we are located in the lowest level of performance in various economic, social, and political development indicators, the image of us will not be high. As we come to assimilate Islam as it is (i.e. as a great progressive and humane religion) and as we develop in every respect we will then project a better image of ourselves and accordingly of Islam. Look at the social and cultural characteristics of Muslims in the United States, these are generally opposite to the situation in our home countries. Muslim in the U.S. generally tend to occupy high places in society. The educational performance is outstanding, the social status is rather high, accomplishments and achievements in the field of science are high and appreciated by colleagues. In that sense the image of Muslims in the U.S. tends to be positive. Imagine if the performance of Islamic countries is as high, the implications would certainly be positive not only on Muslims but also on Islam.
Name
Akbar Malawi
-
Profession
Question
What Do u think about the future of democracy on the Internet after the American Intention to control the Net By C.I.A?
Answer
All human rights organizations worldwide have expressed great concerns on the future of human rights after the attacks and the new security act in the U.S. If we take a more balanced approach, I think we need to establish some sort of fair rules for the use of public forums such as the Internet. This is also a part of the human rights system. This system calls for the suppression of certain forms of expression such as the hate speech, the xenophobic, war propaganda and incitation for violence against religious and ethnic groups and minorities. I believe that the net should not be used to dissiminate violence, terrorism, and hate. The point is not to regulate or not to regulate the net, but who is to regulate and in which capacity and by reference to which norms and rules. The point should always be that no single authority should have monopoly on all this. Also, it is important to respect the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and to warrant for diversity of views expressed in the spirit of peace and respect for others.
Name
Kamel
-
Profession
Question
How Do u look at the conflict between the identity & faith within the American Muslim soldier during the war against any Muslim or Arab Country.. I mean the American Identity & the Islamic Faith & Sharieaa Which forbid fighting among Muslims?
Answer
My own interpretation is: According to the Islamic doctrine, when a sedition or hostility break out among Muslims, mainstream Muslims should try to reconcile. If one group or community engaged in a conflict show obstinacy or injustice, Muslims should side against it and try to descipline it in the spirit of Islam. Assume that mainstream Muslims such as public opinion, lacks the power to do that, the real dilemma then is this: Are they allowed to call on non-Muslims to help them suppress the Muslim group that commits injustice? My answer is yes. Such a debate arose in history of Islam during the great sedition (Al-Fitnah Al-Kubrah). Imam Ali was very clear on this point. The question was then 'could Muslims and non-Muslims come to join ranks in the implimentation of Islamic ruling?' Imam Ali's answer was definitely yes. The importance is that of truth and justice, regardless of the affiliation of the parties involved.
Name
Ahmed
-
Profession
Question
How can most Imams and Islamic organizations support Usama Bin Laden, people on the streets riot in support of Bin Laden, but in another point of view, what he did was just in the benefit of the US and against the Muslims in the West... So as you see all he did is something good for the US, which is to give them an excuse for boming a country and going after a criminal who has been wanted for a long time, and has only put the Western Muslim in an awkward and sometimes VIOLENT situation between other Western non-Muslim members... What is your comment on that?
Answer
A small point of difference is the presumption that what happened is to the interest of the US. I don't believe this regardless of how we look at it. It's my strong belief that this attack was extraordinarily damaging to the American people and the American state. It was a great humiliation to the only superpower, it caused a great scare, it scandalized the institutions of American society, especially the security institutions that should have prevented the events and it has caused the disaster to reach unprecedented magnitude. The more important difference is that Imams and Sheikhs of Islam have supported Bin Laden. A great majority of Muslim Sheikhs have condemned the events and found them contradictory to the principles of Islam, which prohibits the killing of innocents. The view expressed by the great Imam Sheikh Al-Azhar which was made public is very clear on this. The Muslim Brothers in Egypt have condemned the events. It is right, however, that a large segment of Arab and Muslim citizens rejoiced in the attacks. In that sense, that segment acted in the primitive spirit of retaliation against the American blind support to Israel, the American systematic raids against Iraq and other forms of injustice committed by the US against Arabs. My view is that Bin Laden and his group (i.e. the Arab Afghans) started their career under the auspices of the CIA during the American drive against the Soviet presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban movement also started with the clear encouragement and support of the US until 1997. I think the entire complex of violence around the Peshawar in Pakistan and within Afghanistan itself is the product of superpower intervention in Afghanistan. As to the Arab Afghans, I believe that they are misguided, simplistic and damaging to Arab political culture and to Islam. But in the last analysis, they are not a genuine product of Arab society as they are the product of frustration, anger and fury caused by injustice in relation to Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict and the crude victimization of small nations by superpowers.
Name
Sameh
-
Profession
Question
What is the prescription for reforming the attitude of American Arabs in your vision, sir?
Answer
I believe that in the long run, the prescription is very simple, but it certainly is very complex as well. In one word, the prescription is progress. As we the Arabs and Muslims around the world develop and reach the highest standards of achievements in the field of economy, politics, technology, science, and culture, our image will consistently improve. You get the image that corresponds to your level of development and achievement. This is the right answer as opposed to the focus played on media and communication technology in reaching out to others. The question was raised by Arab media ministers in their meeting 5 weeks ago. They decided to establish a new TV satellite addressed to Western public opinion in various western languages. In response to this, one wonders what such a satellite would achieve in a climate characterized by despotism and dictatorship, political intervention, and distortions in Arab societies. You cannot project an image that is not your reality. If our political systems are far from democratic, you cannot project an image of Arab democratic political communities. If you are underdeveloped in nearly every respect, you cannot show yourself to be really developed except by a lie that will soon be scandalized. On the other hand, I rely a great deal on the evolution of Arab civil communities and civil societies, both at homeland and in the rest of the world. For instance, Arab Americans, by virtue of enjoying a high standard of education and science, are better situated to project a bright image of Arabs and Muslims. They can also play a mediatory role between their homeland and their countries of residence, if not only in the US. I believe that we also need a great deal of Ijtihad in order to bridge gaps in culture between Arabs and the rest of the world. I mean specifically religious or Islamic Ijtihad.
Name
Heba
-
Profession
Question
What do you think the fate of the conflict between Arabs & Jews in America?
Answer
I expect you to answer this question since you know better. From distance I may have a few words, first, build communities, Arabs and Muslims should come together to discuss their common agenda. Second, organize, the organization is a very important key to command power within the political and civic American arena. This was the key to Zionist power in the US. Third, to develop political awareness. Commanding a sophisticated political discourse addressed to yourself and the others is very important. Fourth, register for voting and vote as much as you can. Voting power is a great constituent part of power within the American arena. Fifth, mix with others and engage every other American community on the bottom with joint endeavors on common purposes. Sixth, mobilize campaigns on systematic basis, be it media campaigns, civic campaigns, political campaigns. Never leave a biased view expressed in the media unengaged or uncontested. Lastly, bring your conduct as close to the mainstream and even much better within the limits of Islamic morality so as to avoid the ghetto-like mode of existence.
Name
Nora
- United States
Profession
Professor
Question
I read your recent article on IslamOnline and tend to agree with a previous question stating that it seems to be Muslim scholars in ARAB countries that are making this asumption that Muslim influence is weakening in the US in light of the attacks. I would like to know on what your perception is based, especially when as a Muslim who was born in the US and who is very active politicall y in Washington DC I can testify that the exact opposite has happened and that the American Muslim presence in the US has gotten stronger. Can you please clarify what drives you to make such unqualified assumptions?
Answer
In brief, I contend that you know better. The impressions made outside the spot are never as fresh or as close to reality as those made on the spot. As to my claim, developed from outside, the premises are as follows:
1. The Sept. 11th attacks were tied in the minds of Americans to Islam.
2. The polls conducted show clear deterioration in the image of Palestinians as a sample of all Arabs in the US after Sept 11th as compared to before.
3. Levels of support to Israel, including support to Israeli brutal suppression of Intifadah, has risen as compared to before.
4. Complains about harrassments, religious and racial profiling have substantially increased as testified by samples of Arab Americans in various polls.
You certainly would know better.
Name
Rania
- United States
Profession
Political analyst and consultant
Question
As a Muslim who lives in the US, actually I was born here and am a politcal consultant and analyst for a major DC law firm, I think that the comment that the Muslim presence in the US is in endanger is false and it seems that with all due respect, someone who is not an American Muslim cannot make such an assumption.
I advise you to look at thr rise of political courting of the American Muslim and Arab community...
while there is some harrassment of Muslims, by and large this past month has shot Muslims skywards in terms of their political and social clout and presence. On what do you base your information?
Answer
I answered this question before, I refer you to the above answer. Simply, I base my assumptions on results of polls conducted in the US. I would urge you in return to explain the logic of your view. It is very easy to persuade me on this point, since I take your points on actual living in the States as a sound start for judgment.
Name
Mourad Fatah
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
I am from Morocco and I go to school in the US ...college...
I think you are wrong in your article where you write that Msulims in US are in threat.
Media has come to my school many times and American politics here always mention Muslims when they give speeches and visit mosques, even President Bush.
I have no question but i want to correct you please because I haev been here for 5 years and Muslims here are being paid attention more than five years ago when I come here.
Answer
Granted, I take your point. I refer you to my earlier answer to the same question. Generally, in the social sciences, when we look at an issue we take trends, not live examples. As dicscreet as they may be, they may not express trends. We come to know trends through public opinion surveys and through statstical manifestations of various classes of events. In that perspective, public opinion surveys show trends not uniformities. For instance, we may distinguish between different states and environments and different work experiences, different political views, and different personal characteristics of respondance. But again, you may know better.
Name
Laila
- United States
Profession
Political Science Professor
Question
How can you possibly say that American Muslims are facing a threat to their presence when they enjoy FAR more freedoms than Muslims in ARAB MUSLIM countries...
Can you answer me as to what sort of freedom of speech, presence, politcal activity exist in ARAB MUSLIM countries that you can so freely claim that American Muslim presence is being threatened?
Answer
This is the third time we receive this question. Please refer to the above answers. I particularly do not like your argument. It is like saying that the Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, which is reiterated again and again in the American media. I don't see any connection between political democracy and the view of others. Both Israel and the Apartheid regime in South Africa are described as "democratic." This means nothing to their victims except that they are racial democracies.
Name
fayaz ahmed
- QATAR
Profession
banker
Question
Is it obligatory for muslim women to cover their faces.
Answer
I refer this question to an Imam who knows better in Islam. In my view definitely not. Dress is a civic norm that changes from an age to another and according to culture, knowledge and work environment, etc. In my view, one of the major mistakes of some Islamic movements is that there is a strange focus on dress and women bodies and symbols of sexuality in general. This is very damaging to the image of Muslims in Islam, as Islam in my view is a universal message based on reason, sound common sense, the interest of communities and people, and a doctrine of equilibrium in society and the universe. In all this great religion, the whole realm of sexuality is very marginal and the view on it should correspond with the respect to man as the vicegerent of God.
Note:
We have to confirm that the guest isn't a Faqeeh (Muslim jurist). Therefore, readers should read our Fatwas regarding Muslim woman’s dress in our Fatwa Bank, or submit any related questions to Ask the Scholar in our site.
