09 September 2008
Filmmaker Anisa Mehdi Discusses Ramadan in America
Ask America webchat transcript September 9
Anisa Mehdi, an Emmy-award-winning journalist who specializes in religion, the arts and people, answered questions in a September 9 Ask America webchat on Ramadan and Islam in America.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Guest: Anisa Mehdi
Date: September 9, 2008
Time: 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT)
Webchat Moderator: Welcome to today's webchat with filmmaker Anisa Mehdi. We are taking your questions now, to submit a question please type into the space provided below.
Welcome, today is September 9. Our webchat begins at 11:30 GMT.
Anisa Mehdi: Good morning – Sabah al kheir – everyone. Asalamu ‘alaykum and Ramadan kareem. I am delighted that you and I are together today to engage in web conversation about Ramadan and Islam in America.
Comment [Ahmed Aly 2]: we Alekum el salam :)
Question [Abrar Hussain]: Hi Iam Abrar Hussain from Islamic University in Pakistan. What does a non-Muslim American think about Ramadan and Muslims?
Answer [Anisa Mehdi]: I have found over the past decade or so that there is an increasing interest in America about Ramadan. Some people wonder, “How can we Muslims survive such a long test of will?” Others express admiration. Others may not even notice. One thing is for sure: there is no single way Americans think about Ramadan. There are about 300 million Americans and many different views on everything!
Q [Naji]: Can an Immam deliver a true and an objective speech in any US mosque?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Naji, this is Anisa. I believe that most of the time an Imam can deliver a true and objective speech or khutba in a US mosque. Sometimes the governing board of the mosque may have requests about what is said. But our government, to my knowledge does not interfere. According to the Constitution it may not interfere.
Webchat Moderator: Thank you for your question Naji. We see that some of the screen names are mixed up. To avoid any confusion, please include your screen name when asking a question.
Comment [kamal]: Hello, I am kamal Hadder a teacher of English from Morocco I would like to thank all the people who provided us with this opportunity.
Webchat Moderator: Hello Kamal, and welcome. Anisa Mehdi is reviewing questions now.
Q [kamal]: I would like to ask a personal question. Are you a muslim?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Salaam, Kamal. I visited Morocco with my mother in 1976 while I was a student in Spain. We had a wonderful time. Now to your question. Yes, I am Muslim, alhamdulillah.
Q [Tina]: Al Salam Alikom, This is Tina from Cairo, Can you give us few differences in your opinion between Ramadan in the U.S. and in the Muslims countries that you have visited. Thanks.
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Tina: Here in the US Ramadan may feel more of a test for Muslims because the society around us is not fasting together as a culture. We continue our regular work hours, our classes in school, and so on. In addition we do our best, insha Allah, to complete our reading of Qur’an, our prayers, zakat, etc. It is a blessing to explore the extent of our “self-restraint” under these circumstances. To me victory feels very good.
Also, Tina. It is very enjoyable to be in a Muslim majority country during Ramadan to experience the excitement of the whole community.
Q [Ahmed Aly 2]: Is there a real religious freedom in U.S. for Muslims, or it is just a propaganda? I guess you have a freedom of speech that would allow me to ask such a question!
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Ahmed Ali, Salaams. You ask an important question. I can answer from my experience and from what I have seen as someone who has reported on religion for two decades. Yes. We have freedom, alhamdulillah, to worship. There are occasions where bigotry and violence interrupt our worship, but those are not frequent. Jews and Christians and others also suffer bigotry and violence from time to time.
Webchat Moderator: Thank you everyone, there are many questions coming in. Ms. Mehdi is working as quickly as possible to answer them.
Q [Ahmed Aly 2]: I am sure that my previous questions won't be answered, whatever. Can you tell us "honestly" the problems that Muslims face through Ramadan in U.S.? Pls don't say there are no problems!
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Ahmed Aly, as I told Tina, the biggest problem Muslims face during Ramadan is our sense of isolation from the greater society. Here people are not lifting their eyes to the minarets to see lights go on to signal time for Iftar. We do not hear the adhan called in our towns. And it is physically difficult sometimes to fast and complete our regular daily work tasks. But, if you are asking about specific political problems, they are no more, nor less during Ramadan than the rest of the year.
Q [adil benlbchir]: Hi there, It's Adil benlbchir. Here is my question: What does ramadan mean to u as muslim?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: To me Ramadan means I must be aware of my promises to God, my family, my colleagues and myself in a physical way, not just mental. I am reminded by my empty stomach that the world is greater than my needs. It means to be extra gentle and giving. To smile more. To keep my complaints to myself. I wonder what it means to you.
Webchat Moderator: Ms. Mehdi continues to work on answers to your questions, thank you for your patience.
Q [Fayez]: I want to know if Ms. Mahdi have ever produced any works that related to the success stories for Muslims in USA, if so, what the way to have copy of it, read it or watch it. Thanks.
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Fayez: Thanks for your questions about my work. I have produced short stories for television news and documentary films about Islam and Muslims both in the USA and elsewhere in our wide world. Almost everything I produce or write (articles and for websites) I intend to show successes. But over 20+ years it is hard to direct you to some of the shorter pieces. Please check my website for links to articles. http://www.anisamehdi.com, and check amazon.com for information on some of my documentary films, including “Inside Mecca,” for National Geographic, and “Muslims,” for PBS.
Q [kamal]: If there the muslim community enjoy a great deal of religeous freedom in the US, how can u account for the fact that the call of prayers in not permitted to be played aloud in us Mosques?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: I am not certain, Kamal, that there are no US mosques proclaiming the call to prayer. I don’t know. But I know that many do not broadcast the adhan. On one hand it is a pity and a shame. The call is so beautiful – like the church bells we so often hear on Sunday mornings ringing across the USA. On the other hand the fact is there are neighborhoods that prefer not to be awakened at Fajr, nor to be reminded to pray during the day. There are “noise ordinances” prohibiting lawn mowers and leaf blowers and other loud sounds at certain times of day. You and I may argue that the Adhan doesn’t fit that category. Some day this may change.
Webchat Moderator: We feature weekly webchats on many topics, if you would like to participate in our discussions, please visit our schedule of upcoming chats at: http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html.
Q [amber]: salam this is amber shahid from jeddah. I m a fresh journalist working in saudi gazette and would like to interview. plz can I have your email address, or anyway I can contact you?
Webchat Moderator: Hello Amber, you will find contact info for Ms. Mehdi on her website: http://www.anisamehdi.com
A [Rashdan]: It is an enjoyable chat, but I have got some work to carry out. Happy ramadan!
Webchat Moderator: Thank you Adil, we are happy that you took time to join us.
Q [Cairoirc@state.gov]: hi I wish happy ramadan for you; how Islmic centers and Media cooperate in the US in overcome the Islamphobia? ALI EID CAIRO
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Islamic centers and media are cooperating more and more in the USA to overcome Islamophobia. Mosques and national Muslim organizations are putting information sheets together for reporters, and they are inviting neighbors and reporters to come in. Ramadan is an especially good time for this. We welcome people to iftars all the time. In addition, more reporters are learning about Islam --- that helps a lot. They are not simply relying on the myths they’ve heard. Still there is a long way to go.
Q [kamal]: why does the president of the US direct a message to the us muslim community every year? is it some kind of flattery to gain muslim cummunity support in elections or just mere religeous hypocracy?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Politicians always try to win the hearts of voters, Kemal. So of course the president will take the opportunity to wish American Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak.” Whether this is hypocritical or not, it is at least now an expected greeting. Just like the “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hannukah” greetings. As recently as 15 years ago politicians were not even thinking about Ramadan!
Also, Kemal, those politicians who would not benefit from commenting on Ramadan will not.
Webchat Moderator: Thanks again everyone for your many questions. Ms. Mehdi will try to answer as many as she can in the time we have remaining for today's chat.
Q [Ahmed Aly 2]: Can you name one thing that you wish the U.S. government - and the American community in general - [should] do, to help the freedom of worship for Muslims?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Probably the toughest ongoing challenge for freedom of worship for Muslims here is having the opportunity to take time off from work for Juma’a – Friday prayer. Our weekend is Saturday/Sunday. Individual Muslims must arrange their own schedules for Fridays. I don’t know how that could be worked out nationally, but it would make it easier for the Muslim community as a whole.
Q [amber]: Amber asks: anisa, how do you see, despite of anti islamic propoganda by the western media, the rate of [people] embracing islam is getting higher and higher everyday.
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Amber: Islam speaks for itself, doesn’t it? No matter what stereotypes are promoted or misinformation drifting in the media, Allah reaches people’s hearts.
Q [Cairoirc@state.gov]: how could american Muslems show Ramadan celebration in their american communities? Ali
A [Anisa Mehdi]: American Muslims invite people to iftar dinners and students host events on campus. Interfaith organizations are on the rise, reaching out to people of other religions for understanding and community well being. There are Crescent and Star symbols decorating homes and some public places in a show of celebration and identity for Muslims. It’s very exciting to see the growing acceptance of Ramadan here.
Q [Bernadette]: What percentage of Muslims in America practice Islam?
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Bernadette: It is hard to know what percent “practice” Islam here or anywhere else. I have friends who fast and friends who don’t. I have friends who pray and who don’t. Let us ask: what are the measures of being Muslim? I include showing respect for your parents and your elders, giving charity, getting educated, being kind to strangers, telling the truth, being honest in business, and trusting in Allah, among other standards.
Q [Amber asks]: being in media I myself feel media is biased, say it be in east or west, mainly because of difference of opinion we carry, there is sort of impression that muslims esp. converted muslim in west are not enjoying the liberty in the same manner others are doing, is it true picture. I wanna know from someone who is actually living there and facing everything there, anisa also, I heard about pp are told to shave their beards,
Amber: sorry it continues ... at work places women in hijab are being teased by boys and stuff like that. is it true.
A [Anisa Mehdi]: Amber, regarding converted Muslims I have read reports that sometimes they don’t get full respect from their fellow Muslims in mosques and some eventually stop going. This, if true, is a shame. Regarding beards and scarves, there are issues in some schools, industries, organizations. This is relatively new in America and the society here is waking up and reacting. I believe an appropriate balance will be found. Also from what I hear from people in Muslim-majority countries there are limitations on religious expression too. For example, in Turkey there are issues with headscarves. In Tunisia there are opposite issues with headscarves. Here in the USA it seems to me we have an excellent opportunity to grow into a model for Islam in a pluralist society. We must patiently persevere.
It has been a great pleasure for me to engage in a web-conversation with you today. I deeply appreciate the intelligence of your inquiries and your generous listening to my responses. Please forgive my errors. May Allah bless you and your loved ones, and all of us, with inner peace and outer abundance during this special month. Ramadan Mubarak, my friends.
Webchat Moderator: We wish to thank Anisa Mehdi for joining us today. The webchat is now closed. A full transcript of today's webchat will be published (usually within one business day) to our Ask America homepage at http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html. We hope you will understand that there were many questions and only a limited amount of time.
Our goal is to have an open and honest discussion. Please tell us what topics you would like us to cover in future webchats. We will do our best to organize more chats on those topics.
Comment [Ahmed Aly 2]: Thanks moderator for caring about making a real discussion! This is something that we don't have here in Egypt: D
Comment [kamal]: thank you
Q [Ahmed Aly 2]: If the Muslims have problems in wearing Hijab - scarves, do you think that this is the mission of Muslims to educate Americans about their religious, and let them know the real details about it?
Webchat Moderator: Here is an article about a Somali woman who used the U.S. legal system to protect her freedom of religious expression: U.S. Laws Protect Right To Wear Religious Garb at Work http://www.america.gov/st/diversity-english/2007/August/20070806141303ajesrom0.6975214.html
Comment [amber]: thank you so very much
Webchat Moderator: Thank you for joining us Amber. Please join our future chats. We hope to introduce video/audio to our future chats so you will be able to see and hear the guest speakers.
Q [kamal]: Are muslim kids bullied in schools because they are fasting?
Webchat Moderator: Dear Kamal, this article explores how Muslims in America are observing Ramadan and sharing this important experience with non-Muslims: http://www.america.gov/st/diversity-english/2008/August/20070926165807GLnesnoM0.3249018.html
The webchat is now closed. Thanks again to everyone who participated!
(Speakers are chosen for their expertise and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of State.)
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