MUSLIMS IN AMERICA

     This phenomenon of Muslims living in minority is, now days, common throughout the non-Muslim world. Muslims are present not only in China and Soviet Union, but also in places such as Japan, Australia and South Africa. There are substantial Muslim minority communities in the heart of Europe in Germany, Belgium, France and Great Britain and in both the South and North American continents.

     One of the most crucial issues faced by these minority groups is how to live a Muslim life in a non-Muslim country. Preservation of faith is not an issue.  The faith of the Muslim minorities, living in the USA or anywhere in the world, is not at stake. Believes in the Oneness of God, Prophet hood of Muhammad, the Day of Judgment, and belief in the Angels are nowhere denied.  Similarly, no non-Muslim state or country has any objections in Muslims’ praying, fasting, giving alms (zakat) to needy and poor and in going to Pilgrimage (Hajj).  The clash starts in social interactions in cultural matters, such as dresses, languages, dietary, pastime, celebration of festivals and in matters of acts and behaviors in day-to-day life.

     Not all of the Muslims who came here follow their faith, however.  The biggest threat to the Muslim community in America came from within. Many Muslim immigrants, independent of their community taboos and ties, enjoyed the American way of life.  They preferred to remain in the United States rather than return to their own countries. Many abandoned Islam. Many began drinking beer and liquors, eating pork in order to be a good American. Many slipped into the mainstream of American culture and gave up their Islamic way of life.  They changed their names. Mohammad became Moh or Mike, Salam, Sam and Jamal, Joe. They kept their religion personal and secret.

     The boys and girls born in Muslim immigrant families are passing through a period of dilemma.  They are very much aware that this country offers many pleasures forbidden to Muslim society.  They live in a pop culture that publicly glorifies sexuality through advertising images, fashions, and music.  Celebrities like Madonna, Marky Mark and Flavor Flav are envied and imitated by millions of teenagers.  Young Muslims are exposed to some classmates who take drugs, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, are sexually active, practice birth control and have abortions. 

     The event of 9/11 is changing the scenario throughout Europe and America. While administrations are sidelining their Muslim minorities as potential danger to the peace and security of their countries, the Muslim minorities are developing an awakening of their identity by reverting back to their Islamic traditions. 

      Our attempt here is not to compromise Islam with the non-Islamic social phenomena, like freedom of sex, gay marriages and homosexuality, incessant use of liquor and wine, evils of free economy and curse of capitalism, and things like that. It is an attempt how to face these social evils in the light of the spirit of Islam and also to have a correct understanding of socio-political rights and obligations of Muslim minorities.  It is an attempt to redesign and redefine the ideals and practices of Muslim minorities in the West.