African-Americans and Immigrants in Muslim America - Part II

Did the treatment of immigrant Muslims in post-9/11 America finally "equalize" all Muslims in America, exposing the indelibly racist ways of the caucasian elite? Some version of that statement is lurking between the lines in the NYT piece. Imam Talib emerges as the wiser figure at the end of the story. It is the immigrant Muslims who have "seen the light," so to speak. I think that this view reflects an overly simplified understanding of reality.

To begin with, the grievances of Muslim immigrants are fairly simple. They insist that Islam is a peaceful religion, and that Al-Qaeda and its fellow travelers are simplying committing murder in the name of Allah, using religion for illicit purposes. They also seek to safeguard their ability to exercise their faith freely. Unlike in Europe, however, free exericse issues have played a fairly marginal part in our national debate, since few serious commentators question Muslim women's right to wear headscarves etc. It is noteworthy that immigrant Muslims are not calling for some grand reformation of American society- they are not assailing the capitalist system, gross inequalities of wealth along racial/ethnic lines. Rather, they are focusing on rehabilitating their status as ordinary citizens, free of the cloud of doubt that has been cast over their loyalty as Americans since 9/11. While it is understandable that such analytical separation of grievances doesn't prevent the development of empathy among immigrant Muslims who certainly know what is like to be the "underdog," I think that it is unwarranted to assume that immigrant Muslims will adopt the political narrative which is traditionally attributed to African-American congregations.

In fact, such a development would be cause for a great deal of alarm. In my view, Muslim immigrants have nothing to gain from adopting a political narrative which demonizes white Americans. Let me be very clear about something: Muslim immigrants have a serious problem with disregarding their indigenous brethren, and the NYT article points this out excellently, with examples like the unconscionable fact that all the money collected for zakat (tax to benefit the poor) goes to other countries instead of being spent here in the US. It is also true that there is plenty of racism among Muslim immigrants, who are often obsessed with being as fair as possible, and think of dark skin color as a social impediment. However, resolving these difficulties, and bridging the gap between Muslim immigrants and African-American Muslims, does not translate into the transformation of Muslim American society as a radical movement for equality among all Americans. Most Americans begin with the premise that this is a country where all individuals are equal, and that we must work together to end any discrimination. They also operate on an equally strong premise that this is a country where merit is the most important factor in determining how much one can advance, how much wealth one can accumulate etc. Muslim immigrants have embraced this credo with great enthusiasm, and if one examines the bulk of Muslim response to post-9/11 Islamophobia, that is evident. Muslims petition government agencies, organize inter-faith events to promote a better understanding of Islam, write letters to the editor; in other words, they engage the civic and political communities that surround them in a bid to convince them of their opposition to acts of terrorism.

Sometimes such tactics work; on other occasions, it is clear that there are some forces which have made up their mind about Muslims, and they pursue an agenda of ignorance and hate with devastating consequences. Nevertheless, this is the avenue that Muslims have employed, and it is the only one likely to bring them success. When our neighbors see that we are peaceful citizens, when they see that we are making important contributions to the advancement of science, technology, and good governance, then surely they will understand. This is the approach urged upon Muslims by the Holy Prophet (pbuh), who always led by his own good example. By contrast, conjuring up vast political conspiracies where Muslims are inevitably the victims of evil forces, is not only the work of fantasy; but moreover, even if such ideas sometimes seem to be supported by events in the real world, fighting hatred with hatred will do no good.

In summary, I am fuly supportive of the notion that Muslims in the US are being brought together, even if it is only in the wake of the horrible events of 9/11 and its fallout. Every Muslim who inhabits a place has an obligation toward other Muslims in that same place, and Muslims are never permitted to discriminate on the basis of race. As the Holy Prophet (pbuh) stated:

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no
superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-
Arab has any superiority over an Arab;
also a white has no superiority over a
black nor a black has any superiority
over a white - except by piety and good
action.”

But such unity must not come at the expense of the destruction of the identity of Muslims in the US as Americans, who believe in, and care deeply about their country, whether they are born or naturalized into it.