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Speak for Yourself
Today's guest blogger is Erum Ibrahim, a rising senior at DePaul University majoring in International Studies and Political Science. Erum is serving as President of DePaul's Muslim Students Association, UMMA, and Society for International Affairs-Model UN. She is a current Fellow and past Intern of the Interfaith Youth Core.
While Senator Obama refutes the apparent "smear" on his reputation and avows his Christian faith, American Muslims -- whose identities have been hijacked by radicals, extremists and, yes, terrorists -- are increasingly taking ownership of their identities, affirming their faith and American citizenship.
I recently had the opportunity to further define my own identity as a young American Muslim at the Second Annual Muslim Public Affairs Council's National Muslim American Young Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit brought together 25 young Muslim-American leaders from across the nation in the spirit of building civic engagement, serving as voices for the American Muslim community, and working to help improve this nation for everyone.
The summit embodied the values for which the United States stands. The diverse group of young American Muslims met with an equally diverse panel of leaders from government agencies and think tanks. We viewed a presentation by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, met with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher at the Department of State, and held spirited discussions with members of Congress on issues including the presidential election, the environment, foreign policy, religious freedom, and immigration.
Three days in our nation's capital made the political wonk in me feel like a kid at Christmas - or Eid, and they gave me a renewed appreciation for civic engagement opportunities back in Chicago, where I've sometimes felt disconnected from politics.
As a senior at DePaul University, interacting with diverse communities is part of my daily life. Students at DePaul are united in our shared values, and we learn from our differences. As part of DePaul's history and Vincentian values, we're committed to service and social justice. And Chicago Muslims, in particular, have been actively involved all around the city, with mosques or with community organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), and the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC).
In response to the misconceptions and radicalizations about Islam, a large part of American Muslim civic engagement today puts a strong emphasis on faith, and it also asserts an American identity, framed by issues shared by all Americans, and established through cultural awareness and engaged citizenship. I wasn't sure that the government officials in D.C. would understand this part our American-Muslim identity and was worried that we would be neglected or met with disdain.
Instead, I found that our nation's leaders are enthusiastic about engaging the American-Muslim community - contrary to the demeanors of our current presidential candidates - and are very receptive to our concerns, recognizing them as common concerns shared by all their constituents. It was refreshing to interact in an open dialogue and be challenged by leaders like Congressman Keith Ellison - the first Muslim Member of Congress - to stand firm as American Muslims.
For many centuries, and around the world, minority communities have been forced to deal with identities that are thrust upon. Like those in the past, and those who are still trying, Muslim Americans now face the challenge of recognizing and redefining their identities and roles in the United States.
We are tasked with debunking Samuel Huntington's "clash of civilizations" theory- the flawed assumption that aggressors outweigh the peaceful and pluralistic. The peaceful and pluralistic must work to make their voices heard through actions that speak louder than those of the aggressors. American Muslims will find that voice through civic engagement.
The content of this blog reflects the views of its author and does not necessarily reflect the views of either Eboo Patel or the Interfaith Youth Core.
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Eboo Patel
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August 12, 2008; 6:38 PM ET
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Interfaith Issues
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Personal Religion
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Religion & Leadership
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Religion & Politics
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The Faith Divide
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Posted by: Abed | August 21, 2008 4:31 PM
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According to a recent "Islam on Campus" survey of 1,400 students by the Centre for Social Cohesion, an independent think tank, just under a third of Muslim students said that killing in the name of religion can be justified. Sixty percent of the students who were active members of campus Islamic societies agreed with the statement
This means that 2 out of every three members of those Muslim organizations on college campuses, like the one you head, have no qualms in exterminating anyone who questions your religion. Before campaigning for local, state and federal candidates , I think you should find a way to get rid of your negative image. The Presidents of the Muslim organizations calling openly for the replacement of our constitution by a 7thCentury Arab desert code of conduct is not going to win hearts either. The fact that Muslims of different ethnicities identify as Muslims lends a credence to the allegation that people of your faith owe their allegiance only to each other and not to the United States. You have a long way to go before you integrate, if even this is what you wish to do.
Posted by: AMH | August 19, 2008 11:42 PM
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Great post! I hope we can quickly get past this negative political climate!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2008 11:49 PM
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Salaam Erum,
As an American Muslim who is a political wonk himself, I'm all for civic engagement. You're right, American Muslims do have a big role in debunking myths about our faith and are increasingly taking ownership of our identities.
However, if you truly believe that the nation's leaders are "enthusiastic about engaging the American-Muslim community" then its likely that your inner political wink is still "a kid at Christmas." As American Muslims we need to be optimistic, but guard against naivete that is counterproductive at best.