03 August 2009

American Muslims Urged to Increase Community Activism

Convention speakers cite new openings for activism, past accomplishments

By Ahmed Mohamed
Staff Writer

Washington — American Muslims are an integral part of the cultural landscape of America. As President Obama said on June 4 in Cairo, Egypt, “So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.”

Between 2.5 million and 7 million Muslims live in the United States, many born in the United States, the others drawn from almost all countries around the world.

At the July 3–6 convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), American Muslim leaders reflected on American Muslims and their role within the broader American community.  Sulayman Nyang, professor and chairman of the African Studies Department at Howard University in Washington, told the convention, “The Muslim story is a narrative, and you cannot have a narrative without having a text, a main text and footnotes. For too long, we have been footnotes. We are now gradually evolving from being footnotes to being part of the main text of the American story.”

“Because you are educated,” he said, “you can act to elaborate the Muslim experience in America.”

Congressman Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, discussed opportunities for Muslim empowerment and described how Muslims can engage in the political process through serving their communities. “[Given] the health care crisis that we are facing today, and considering that the Muslim community … is rich in medical talent, what can we do and how can we use this problem as an instrument or a tool for understanding how we engage in politics and how we empower the Muslim community?”

Ellison suggested an answer to his own question: “Right now, go out and start a free clinic or a qualified medical health care center. … You will be proud to know that there are 27 such free clinics or qualified medical health centers across America today” that were started by Muslims or are operated by Muslims.

He also advised Muslim Americans to engage in local politics. “If you work to meet the needs of your neighbors, you will find yourself building political muscles, you will find yourself building know-how, you will find yourself more sophisticated.”

Another Muslim leader at ISNA spoke about his conviction that Muslims should be active in their communities. M.J. Khan, a Houston City Council member, said, “The American public in general is looking for people who can do good for them. Just like anything else, people are looking for who can serve them better. Based on what we can bring to the table, if you look to your Islamic teachings, you will understand that Muslims believe in giving back to the society because that is part of our learning process, part of our teachings. We are supposed to be serving humanity, serving all of God’s creation.”

Imam Abdulmalik Mujahid, who served as a chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, said, “On the eve of the Independence Day [July 4], I would like to share this with you as an imam that a Muslim cannot be a good Muslim unless that Muslim is a good citizen and a good neighbor.”

Mujahid gave an example of mobilizing and leading communities: “Illinois used to be the 48th state [out of 50] when it came to health care. Five years ago, the leadership of the Muslim community, in coalition with 64 other organizations, mobilized Illinois by organizing [at the] grass-roots level, and included churches, masjids and synagogues in our efforts. We provided the leadership. … The state of Illinois is now second among the states when it comes to health care.”

Suhail Khan, a senior fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement, called on the ISNA audience to become involved in the political process. “It takes involvement from all of you, either on a local level, on a national level, to become involved, to get registered, to get organized and to have input in where our country goes. We can make a difference; we have so much to give to our country with your support and God’s blessing. We will continue to contribute to America as a country, as a nation and to indeed to the planet as a whole” by encouraging American Muslims “to exercise our rights as Americans, as full citizens, and that means getting involved in the American process.”

“Regardless of your religion, regardless of your ethnic background … once they know you, the door is open. Once they trust you, they will stand for you and they will stand for the American Muslim,” Khan said.