Living in America/ the West

emsereen wrote: Asalam Alaikum, I also am American but of Italian heritage. I live within a very large Lebanese community in Michigan. I have always been treated differently because I'm American. I even wear the hijab, but it doesn't matter. I actually drive outside of my community to a mosque that is more Palestinian and Pakistani. And in my area the black muslim are very friendly. But remember, hold your head high in Islam. Allah (SWA) will guide you and keep you strong no matter where you are or live. We must grow in numbers to please him. salam

Thank you, sisters (if mistaken I'll stand corrected) for your comments.

I recall the times that I spent in places like Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Jordan...as a Westerner in the streets there I was treated as an exotic novelty too.  That is not to say that people were unfriendly or unhelpful, but I still was watched differently because people did not know what to expect from me as they would from folks they were surrounded with all their lives.

Once I understood the situation I just came to expect it, and once I understood what was happening, and that was just how people were and it didn't necessarily mean anything threatening or unfriendly & it was easier accomodate.  Though I imagine that if I were in those settings a longer time it might get tiring.

I think emsereen's advice is probably good, and was along the lines that I was thinking earlier.  There are still large portions of the US (and the West) where people have simply not been exposed to Muslims in any form; the only repair for that situation is for them to see good Muslims so they can become accustomed to them/you.  What this also means is that the only Muslims they are exposed to are those shown on the news...and you know where that leads.  So unlike my experience this background (foisted upon you not by the evil Americans but by the terrorists whose activities give rise to the suspicion which unjustly falls upon you) makes it even more challenging.  But it can be overcome.

Between the time I initially posted this thread and now the webmaster has graced us with an article about a new North American Muslim leader who says exactly the same; http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=LT0609-3 115 .

Take courage and be your faithful and trustworthy selves, do not be afraid to show others that the stereotype is not true.  While not easy or fast, it is the most certain way to change the minds and calm the fears of those in places like 'redneckville'.

emsereen wrote: Asalam Alaikum, I also am American but of Italian heritage. I live within a very large Lebanese community in Michigan. I have always been treated differently because I'm American. I even wear the hijab, but it doesn't matter. I actually drive outside of my community to a mosque that is more Palestinian and Pakistani. And in my area the black muslim are very friendly. But remember, hold your head high in Islam. Allah (SWA) will guide you and keep you strong no matter where you are or live. We must grow in numbers to please him. salam

Sister, I understand your dilemna.  My heritage is mixed. I have the darker complexion of my mother, but when I removed my sunglasses I often startle those who do not know me with my very light sky blue eyes. hmmm, actually my closest friend here in the Ummah is Tamina, and she is African american. I believe that the Americans of African ancestry are more accepting of us because their culture was so oppressed and mistreated by the white culture in this country. They empathize more with our differences. I would not have renewed my faith in Islam and become active if it where not for Tamina. My husband who had not prayed in years is now more pious than me lol!

This calls to mind the last sermon of the Prophet, which is dear to me!

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0107-3 22

"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 black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

What an AWESOME sermon!

 

Thank you sisters for your thoughtful replies.  Indeed life is difficult, especially for Muslims these days.

Maryah's remark caught my attention:
"When I was living in the US, I became tired of being treated rudely for wearing a headscarf. The people who treated me the worse were the immigrant Chinese and orientals that owned some of the Mom and Pop type stores. And then I made the mistake one time of shopping on the northside of the city at the "redneckville" Walmart. I found the only places I could shop and not be treated like someone from outer space was near University...hmm. I guess educated folks are much more accepting of differences."

Both this remark and yours, Hanan, suggest another hypothesis about ordinary Americans/Westerners impressions of Islam and of Muslims.  Perhaps it is simply ignorance, an ignorance which is fed mainly by an absence of (known) everyday contact with good Muslims like yourselves, in everyday life situations.  Since there are Muslims associated with the University (as you have said Maryah), and the general absence of mosques (and likely Muslims) in so many places, one would not be surprised to find a comfort in university type settings for Muslims, which is lacking in other places (like in redneckville), thus you are observed as some sort of exotic creature (since to them, in their customary settings, you are).

Does this make any sense to you?


Edited by runner

jabedi wrote: Salamualaikum and hello, The issue you raise here might best be understood if you look at it in terms of perspective.  Users who share their thoughts and opinions have a perspective related to their religion, geography, and emotional state.  Some write posts about the 'evil of the west' out of frustration in our foreign policy as many Americans share in those same frustrations.  Americans who are also Muslims are torn by the actions of our country in its foreign policy and new domestic enforcement policy, while at the same time being born here and enjoying time with our families and friends.   Most Muslims are in agreement of the foreign policy but in various degrees as a result of the factors that contribute to their perspectives.  Personally, I can say that it is a difficult time to be a Muslim in the US not because anyone is stopping me from believing what I believe, but because I have been made to feel like an enemy in my own country.  But again, most of the posts that are hateful and so forth are out of frustration and should not be replied to.  Wasalam and Best Regards

As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I find this thread interesting. Yes, there are many frustrated Muslims in the US. I am currently residing south of the US border with my husband in a small town, (we are caring for his elderly mother and he is refurbishing her rather large Moorish style home, it is running down) and commute to Southern Arizona to work 12 hour shifts 3 times a week. I am blessed to have this option. We have kept our house near Tucson, that is our legal US address and mailing address. Our son (I have four grown ones!) attends the U of A pharmacy college from there..And maintains my house. It is a wonderful arrangement and is working well. I wish all American Muslims had my options.

The people of Mexico are more tolerant of Muslims. There is a small enclave of expatriate muslims here in this small border town. We have a small masjid.  When I was living in the US, I became tired of being treated rudely for wearing a headscarf. The people who treated me the worse were the immigrant Chinese and orientals that owned some of the Mom and Pop type stores. And then I made the mistake one time of shopping on the northside of the city at the "redneckville" Walmart. I found the only places I could shop and not be treated like someone from outer space was near University...hmm. I guess educated folks are much more accepting of differences.

That is why so many express frustration here in the forum. There is no where else to go really. At the Tucson Islamic Center it was difficult to relate to many of the members there because many were from the middle east and were here only associated with the University. Very few native borns here. One of the "terrorists" associated with 9/11 attended this mosque for a few years. They look at my blue eyes with distrust, I believe they have had spies in their midst before. You could find more sympathy with the people at the Ahmediyya mosque down the road. There are more Ahmediyyas in southern AZ than Muslims..that is sad. They----the flag worshippers and the rednecks--drive Muslims away!

 

Edited by Maryah