Living in America/ the West
Printed From: IslamiCity.org
Category: Regional
Forum Name: Americas
Forum Description: Americas
URL: https://www.islamicity.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6536
Printed Date: 26 April 2024 at 11:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Living in America/ the West
Posted By: runner
Subject: Living in America/ the West
Date Posted: 27 August 2006 at 5:26am
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From the character of most of the posts here & on other message boards here, America (and by extension the West) is nothing but a web of conspiracy, hatred and death for Muslims; many posts say as much. However, when perusing the locations of many of the posters here I also noticed that the great majority of the posters write from locations there, rather than from places noted to be Muslim. Which leads me to wonder, since America (and by extension the West) is such a despicable place, why do so many Muslims (who evidently hate the place and those that conspire against them) choose to live there? Is there anything at all good about living in the West? |
Replies:
Posted By: Fear_Allah
Date Posted: 27 August 2006 at 12:13pm
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Alsalam alikom w rahmato Allah w barakato, Well,I believe that some western countries may not be a good place to live in.First of all life there is full of sins and it's so hard to still having a good deen there"even some people amaze me by their deen"..and also no one can deny that nowadays "specially after 11/9" Some western countries are not good places to live in.. BUT I don't think we have to blame muslims who live there,There are millions of reasons which no one can ignore, For example,Some people have been living in The US or some western countries for years,they immigrated there when there was almost no problem with muslims,Others live there because they have no country"such as palestanians",You will ask me why don't palestainians live in Arab countries and I'll answer you saying that the bad situation in the US or some western countries is much better for them than living in an arab country and I myself know a family of a palestanian man living in the US,even they are not happy there but they prefer living there"It's a big issuse and needs an another thread",,, Another reason for living in the US or some western countries is MONEY,Some people really have misreable situation in their countries and find living in the west is a big grace and this kind of persons almost care about nothing except money... I hope that the situation there will be better,,Ameen Alsalam alikom w rahmato Allah w barakato...
------------- Our LORD! accept from us. You indeed, You are the all-Hearing, the all-Knowing. (2:127) |
Posted By: runner
Date Posted: 27 August 2006 at 1:35pm
Wasalam, Fear Allah. Thank you for your kind reply. I think we all hope for a better situation for all, inshalla. Your reply brings up another impression, one which we hear often from those outside the US/West. If life there is so sinful/if the deen is so sinful, then is it even possible for a Muslim to live largely free of sin, to live a life of less sin than say in many existing (self-proclaimed) Muslim countries? If so, how can that possibly be? Might it be that the west is not as evil as is commonly claimed? Otherwise how would they be so blessed while Muslim countries are so cursed with violence and backwardness of the sorts you mentioned? Certainly all human enterprises suffer from sin and avarice and would be better places without the sin. But in that case might not some balance in expressed views of life in the West & with its people vs. that in Islamic places be in order? |
Fear_Allah wrote:Posted By: jabedi
Date Posted: 29 August 2006 at 5:35pm
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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 |
Posted By: runner
Date Posted: 03 September 2006 at 4:19am
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Salam, Jabedi, and thank you for your articulate reply. I try to post, not in haste but after much forethought and consideration, that is how I avoid some of the hateful-frustration expressions which you correctly point out. I find that most from those who measure the quality of their postings to consist mainly of quantity rather than in internal qualities. However it does cause me to miss some things; between my last and yours Fear Allah did post a reply to mine, to which I had intended to reply but I notice that in the interim hers (if mistaken about gender I will stand corrected) had disappeared. Not that there was anything intemperate about it, which is why I am disappointed that it has since disappeared. I can appreciate that it is difficult to be an American Muslim during these times, but I am glad too that you do not seem to be threatened with life or limb, or with dispossession as too many Muslims around the world are. And at least you recognize the variety of opinion among Muslims about things like foreign policy, in which one can find much both to agree with and to disagree with. That is too often clouded by those who post by quantity rather than quality. I also hope that you can recognize that impatience, fear and frustration is shared by non-Muslim Americans and other westerners. And that the proper cause of it is the constant threats by the terrorists who claim to do so in the name of Islam, rather than the pathological hatred either of other Muslims nor of most Westerners. Inshallah we can all emerge from this with a clearer understanding of each other, and thereby all live in peace and prosperity--free of the fears and hatred that this conflict has generated. |
Posted By: mariyah
Date Posted: 03 September 2006 at 11:48am
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!
------------- "Every good deed is charity whether you come to your brother's assistance or just greet him with a smile. |
As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa BarakatuhuPosted By: Hanan
Date Posted: 03 September 2006 at 5:52pm
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Posted By: runner
Date Posted: 15 September 2006 at 7:31am
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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? |
Posted By: emsereen
Date Posted: 21 September 2006 at 5:41pm
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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 |
Posted By: mariyah
Date Posted: 22 September 2006 at 4:36am
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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=IC0107-322 - 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!
------------- "Every good deed is charity whether you come to your brother's assistance or just greet him with a smile. |
Posted By: ak_m_f
Date Posted: 22 September 2006 at 12:16pm
300 years of colonialism has screwed up muslims countries. also whenever some progress is made, regime chage is made. Puppet governments are installed who never think about own people's need; but take orders from CIA. |
Posted By: runner
Date Posted: 24 September 2006 at 4:12am
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'. |
Posted By: jabedi
Date Posted: 16 October 2006 at 12:18am
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Assalaamualaikum to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, In my review of the previous comments, I have first come to see the potential of my brothers and sisters: your compassion, wisdom, and quality. I am proud to call myself your brother in Islam. Many of our brothers and sisters have been mentally swept away in identifying more with their respective nation-states than with their identity as a Muslim, as someone a part of something so much larger and infinitely more important than state identification. I think of why that is so and I consider the plausible possibility that they seek comfort in their national identities. As I again ask myself why? It seems obvious that the infrastructure and quality of services of our network of organizations is not satisfying the basic binding needs of our community in the United States. Your own experiences and my own further reinforce and highlight this most basic and amazingly important issue. I am most encouraged by your committment to your faith and to God. Remain steadfast in prayer and strengthened by the fact, my sister touched on this subject of equality in Islam, that we are all under Allah, the Compassionate, equals in all aspects accept for one: the attentiveness, committment, and resulting superiority of your faith. Your steadfastness will, with God's assured blessing, will achieve success for you, your families, your children, and all those who are lucky enough to have crossed paths with you. I assure you that the future of Islam will not be decided in some distant land, not even in the holy cities of Mecca or Medina, but here amongst the willing, the knowledgeable, and the steadfast. After reading your comments, my outlook on our future is quite optimistic. Wasalam and My Warmest Regards, M. Jawad My thoughts and prayers are with you. |