In 1930, the submissive image of the “Mammy” pervaded television. Today, a commanding Barack Obama replaces her. Catholics, once a minority group and heavily stigmatized, are now the largest religious denomination in the United States. Every era in American history sees minority groups rise in rank and gain acceptance, including the Irish, Jews, and Italians. American Muslims today are drawing many lessons from their marginalized predecessors; they too realize that becoming an integrated part of American society may require greater political participation. Significantly, though, the question is not only how taking part in the political process will aid American Muslims, but also, how American Muslims can help this country.

Rumors abound on the religious persuasions of Illinois Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama. Considering that one fifth of the American population would feel uneasy at even having a Muslim neighbor, the prospect of having a Muslim president is probably all the more terrifying. This is probably why pictures of a turban-wearing Obama left many feeling unsure and insecure in their support for this candidate, regardless of his qualities otherwise. Many American Muslims, perhaps surprisingly to some, also feel uneasy every time any association is made between Obama and Islam. This uneasiness stems from two reasons: a sense of alienation from the rest of American society and worry that highly-qualified individuals could get rejected based on association with Islam.

And yet, in spite of this fear and the alienation, Muslims are getting increasingly involved in the American political scene. The dedication of the American Muslim community to civic engagement is exemplified by their involvement in politics at a time when it is easy to feel powerless. America is home to millions of Muslims, and growing. With this increase in population, a new generation of Muslims is emerging – young, educated and energetic. Unlike most of their parents and grandparents, younger Muslims are willing to partake in the political process. It should come as no surprise, then, that leaders will emerge from the Muslim community. The election of Congressmen Keith Ellison and Andre Carson indicates the growing presence of politically engaged Muslims and marks a critical point in the growing trend of Muslim political consciousness. This trend is in accord with, and encouraged by, the ideals of American representative democracy.

Muslims have also been involved in the “Rock the Vote” campaign, encouraging community members to vote, and educating them about the candidates and the relevant issues for this campaign. And in spite of Obama’s increasing distance from the Muslim community, Muslims continue to sacrifice their time and energy to actively support him because Muslims, like the myriad of other Obama fans, believe that he is the best choice for the future of this country, and are willing to work for this belief.

That Muslim Americans are so involved in politics when many candidates treat them like pariahs indicates a dedication to civic engagement. With the increase in the Muslim American population, it is to be expected that there will also be a greater number of Muslim representatives in politics. Any other situation would be unfair and not in keeping with the nature of democracy that both American Muslims and other average Americans value. More importantly, American Muslims offer the crucial link between the United States and Muslim world. With the deeply flawed policies of the Bush administration and the decline of America’s image, especially in the Islamic world, Muslims are in a remarkable position to help restore America’s moral authority in the world. American Muslims, in their pursuit to restore civil liberties and revive the Constitution, are major contributors to restoring the damaged image of America. It is with this attitude that many join congressional and presidential campaigns, hoping to elevate the image of America by supporting the candidates they believe are best for the country.

Active engagement and involvement in politics reflects the fact that American Muslims are a part of the social fabric of America, and also reflects their patriotic concern for this country. They are operating under the assumption that Americans are united by their desire for a better future and that they are not bent on maintaining bitter partisanship. One would imagine that this assumption is not so far-fetched.

Is this a paper written for school?
A Public Relations pamphlet?
Is it a wish list of what the author wishes would be?
What is this?

"Muslims are getting increasingly involved in the American political scene"
WHERE?
"Unlike most of their parents and grandparents, younger Muslims are willing to partake in the political process."
WHERE? Not that they ARE doing it- but are willing to (like in the future maybe?)

"That Muslim Americans are so involved in politics when many candidates treat them like pariahs indicates a dedication to civic engagement."

WHO and WHERE are they?

I got bored asking where and who-

Just stating something in a declarative sentence does not make it so.

Here is a primer on politics in America-

Lots and lots of groups have come to America-

Muslim political involvement is in it's infancy.
Like an infant- it's concerns revolve entirely around itself-
How does the candidate address MY communities particular needs.

No amount of slick advertising- or self promotion can substitute for actual service to the community-

Take baby steps- let's see some real committment and action, over an extended period of time- like everyone else has done-
Put in the effort and earn your chops-
before making that claim and then grab for the power-

And please! Don't assume people are so dense and stupid- that making blanket cheerleader assertions without any substantiation at all- even a lone anecdotal incident (which proves nothing anyway)
are sufficient to validate your pep talk.

You have to be in the game before you can run the pep rally.

"In 1930, the submissive image of the “Mammy” pervaded television. Today, a commanding Barack Obama replaces her."

Where do I begin Ms. Syed, with the ignorant- and deeply offensive statement with which you started your article.

Joe Biden (and Joe was my first pick of ALL the potential candidates -then Dennis Kucinich) was interviewed by Katie Couric about 2 weeks ago. In that interview, he made this comment,
"When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the princes of greed. He said, "look, here's what happened."

The Stock Market crashed in 1929. FDR wasn't President the, Hoover was.
But that is an easily forgivable mistake, and it is not what people remembered about it.

Nobody owned a television machine in 1930. They weren't available until the end of the '30's, and only the very wealthy could afford them through most of the '40's.
It was 20 some years later that TV hit the average american home.
There was Aunt Jemima- and the loud Beulah-but they were on the radio.


The racist "Mammy" archetype, is one of the most offensive and cruel parodies of the african american slave descendant perpetuated.
The self-loathing, servile, white-identified caricature, who neglects her own children in favor of the employers white children- the house- (I won't say it) cut off and hated by her own people, and never quite accepted by the master's family- was not much of a TV, nor movie figure- but an advertising character.

Your misunderstanding of the past is only exacerbated by your odd grasp of the present.
Please, just- stop- writing-

The point is Ms. Syed- that somehow you managed to miss this highly over-publicized political gaffe- in the very real present-
yet, you are writing about politics. To repeat the same mistake that you incredibly- somehow missed- does not lend well to your credibilty as an astute observer and commentator of- well--- anything.

while Mrs A was overly harsh, i think the general point is true. muslims are not a significant political entity. they are little more than a bludgeon used to beat Barack Obama over the head. A lot more needs to be done before Muslims become a somewhat marginal political group in America.

Muslims are generally a wealthy community that lacks the commitment to understanding America or the role their faith can play in america to make any sort of difference. the exception here is the african american muslim community, who under WDM achieved quite a bit.

I agree with Kaz that Mrs. A was overly harsh.
I also disagree with her.
Muslim Americans are involved in the political process on every level. In my city alone, I know Muslim and Muslim Americans who are involved in registering new voters and who volunteer for the Obama campaign. That takes care of the where.
The who is even easier--faculty, staff and students, all Muslim, in my city are involved in all manners of these processes. I watched at least three visibly Muslim (meaning hijab) women cacausing in Iowa. I knew two of them, and they are both housewives.
To clarify, ALL political movements are concerned with what candidates can do for THEM. Selfishness on the part of political movements is not a sign of infancy or immaturaity but rather, the POINT. Otherwise why would people form such coalitions?
As to the disturbing suggestion that "slick" advertising is what Muslims Americans involved in the political process are attempting in lieu of "actualy" community service is particularly hard to swallow. Muslims have a long and well-documented history, in all communitiesi in which I have lived, of community service. Granted, most of it is no terribly visible but it nevertheless exists.
Mrs. A's questions about the purpose of this article are moot. It matters not what the original audience or purpose of this article is. It's well written and I enjoyed it.
In short, might I suggest that Mrs. A also stop writing?

Humnitarian-
I'd love it to be true.
"Muslims have a long and well-documented history, in all communitiesi in which I have lived, of community service."

Maybe you could document them for us?

It is a fine thing that Muslims are registering voters- but this is an every 4 year activity.
People that are consistently involved in politics (and remember, all politics are local) show up at community meetings- and help solve problems and provide solutions of the community as a whole.
Where are the Muslim city council members?
Where is the community outreach, and the charity orgs that address settlement of new immigrants, help with single parent headed ouseholds, homeless, both men and especially women, and abused women and domestic violence?

An occasional food bank is only the most basic of beginnings- it is not the needed end result.

And it is really good that you know 3 ladies engaged- it is a start and I hope to see more in the future.

Iowa is an excellent example of where Muslims need to go(figuratively) in the future.

(The only really engaged and politically knowledgeable poeple who ever flowed through one of my mosques were a coaltion from Iowa)

But the tone of this article has the elements of a Palin speech-
feel good about yourselves, you are already great- someone else is doing the right things- some nebulous other out there.

Massaging people's self esteem, while it indicates a future in politcalspeak- doesn't offer anything of substance.
Good writing doesn't mean relevant writing.

We are engaged in writing opinions, and I don't need to please an audience- just be honest with myself.

And there is nothing new about this conversation- people claim Muslims are already involved- and when asked for examples- it comes down to food banks.
Just about every house of worship in America has a food bank.

Besides food banks- I would wecome your documented list.

I find such feel good articles do more damage than good- they make people feel their own complacency is alright- and give the illusion that something is being done somewhere by somebody, so don't trouble yourself.

I applaud and really enthusiastically support any efforts- I just don't see very many.

They are just so sparse.
Now, African-American Muslims, many coming from the Christian tradition, are engaged and have been- but the Muslim community at large- is lagging far behind in charity and outreach.

To try to propel Muslims to the forefront of politics before they have proven themselves in their own communities- is politcs at it's worst.
Let's see your list of accomplishments- what groups and what do they do?

I agree that Muslim participation is partially due to our desire for civic involvement and self-protection which is reasonable and desirable.

However, I also strongly beleive that part of the desire for at least some of Muslim participation is a desire to alter American foreign policy to benefit non-Americans. I've always been discomforted by the rather unusual obsession with politics and power that I've witnessed in my mosques...

oh, and let me clarify by describing it as an obsession with international and national-level politics with a nearly complete absence on local governance and community action groups that MRS.A mentioned. There are Muslim individuals helping out, but often as concerned parents and neighbors as they ought to. But, not as groups and certainly not because the mosques feel it is thier duty to encourage good local governance. I am seeing the nucleus of such ideas spoken at the minbar in my mosque only very recently because of the *new* imam. And, unfortunately, he gets plenty of complaints and lack of interest.

I find it incredibly offensive that you, Mrs. A, expect me to come up with a list of people and their list of activities. I find it akin to some "nebulous" list of community activists who happen to be Muslims.
But I will try.
Do you know why?
Because I strenuously object to your disdain for this article. Did you ever stop to think that perhaps encouragement to BECOME involved in political and other communal activities comes from reading such articles?
No person who calls themself a serious Muslim can hope to simply practice faith privately and not be involved in the community at all. That is not the tradition of Islam nor is it the natural human condition, for we are all intertwined and indeed have affect on one another whether we like it, or recognize it.
I participated in, with dozens of other women who not only had food banks, but who held them in CHURCHES, not the mosque, so that their charity could be felt by non-Muslims, which is good dawa.I knew people who held classes at the mosque I frequented in Arabic for instance, and many halaqa for women, and even courses for the FAMILIES of converts who were in need of some understanding of this religion their family member had found. We even had tuturing in math and sciences from a Muslim organization in my community, and not just for Muslim kids!

I work TIRELESSLY alhamdulillah on community relations. I attend interfaith dialog with both Christians and Jews on a regular basis. I help Muslim immigrant women at our mosque to learn how to drive and read/speak English more proficiently. I teach a class at university on Islam.
I bring students to the mosque to meet the average Muslim so that they might see how normal we really are.
I find myself annoyed, or somewhat angry, that you "know" these things happen but they do not happen to your standard ot frequently or visibly in your opinion. Most Muslims also have full time jobs and families to take care of. In addition, many of us are fighting fitna within our communities...I watch people call each other kuffar and wonder how we ever got to this point in time.
Lastly, it's offensive to assume that African American Muslims come from the Christian tradition, and that even if they DID, that this somehow explains why they are more communally involved. That's absurd and quite frankly, ignorant of the vibrant African American tradition within Islam.
I think you would do good to remember that Muslim communities are still relatively young in America, and that mosques being used as community centers is a new concept when you compare it to the use of mosques in the Middle East for example. This is still new, and people immigrate from countries which lack a tradition of community service in the grassroots sense.
At least be a little sensitive.

>>I watch people call each other kuffar and wonder how we ever got to this point in time.

Humanitarian: its *always* been this way even from the very first century of Islam. Don't let it bother you, because it does not seem to go away.

>>countries which lack a tradition of community service in the grassroots sense.

This is so true and so easy to forget. I often find it difficult to improve participation in "digitial activities" at my mosque since people are very hesitant to divulge personal data. This also makes it virtually impossible to take any kind of accurate census of how many Muslims there are in my city.

I tend to look at it this way: they may come from such countries, but now they are in my country where grassroots activism is what keeps us democratic against the centralizing tendencies of any federal government (and its inevitable decline into less desirable forms of government). So, they can adapt or get out of the way. That said, its not a realistic way to respond to thier habits, although I do think it is fair: thier hangups should not become ours just because they chose to come to the land of the Dollar. Nevertheless, the more productive line of thought is to figure out how to get them comfortably into a culture of grassroots activism.

Ideas?

>> but now they are in my country where grassroots activism is what keeps us democratic against the centralizing tendencies of any federal government <<

Hah ah hah ah hah ha hah ah hahhhaaaaaaaaa. Good one, OmarG. A Classic!

"I find it incredibly offensive that you, Mrs. A, expect me to come up with a list of people and their list of activities."

I said-
"Let's see your list of accomplishments- what groups and what do they do?"

But I asked for groups, not people. So what is there to be offended about?
I notice the only things you listed, depite your claim-

" Muslims have a long and well-documented history, in all communitiesi in which I have lived, of community service."

are personal volunteer work you have done, mostly for muslims.

Hey, that's great- but it's not what you claimed, nor what I asked for.

Teaching english, Islamic studies at a university, or arabic, or teaching women how to drive? Interfaith dialogues, and classes for converts help these are great activities-
but they are only for muslims- and unlike what I have spent about 3 decades doing- are activities for comfortable muslims-

but as I was asking for muslim orgs that address homelessness, and abused women and children, single parent families,
African Americans are not from a predominantly christian culture?
What planet are you living on?
Go to the South Side in Chicago, and tell me about it. Why try to diminish their involvement?

The fact is- there are no Muslim orgs that take care of abused women, homeless people, or help address the real issues of poverty.
If you ask- I can give you a list of orgs I've worked for, and even started in the past.

Your offense seems a cover for an inability to find any organizations to list.
Maybe it's the first time you ever looked for them, maybe you assumed they existed and just found out there are none.
Don't get mad at me or offended at the very reasonable request to substantiate your claim.

I'm glad you are active in spreading the dawa, and ideology of Islam- but that is an activity one engages in when one is, comfortable, with other comfortable people, and serves only themselves.

Catholic charities, for instance- settles immigrants from beginning to end- putting them in homes, clothing and feeding them, networking with all sorts of give orgs from health care to help paying for utiliities to a bed and furniture.

I'm just saying, it's time Muslims took their concerns out of their own mosques and out to the community at large.

When homeless muslim women are sent to federally funded shelters-
and muslim social advcocates hand you a list of christian and government orgs, which is what they do. Something is wrong.

It's a broader perspective than just, is everyone in my own mosque served.

Well, yousaid you would try- but you didn't give one single org- what is up with that?
I think you just assumed they were out there- now you know they are not.

Interesting article. A bit too optimistic, but why not?

>their hangups should not become ours just because they chose to come to the land of the Dollar. <

True since you're not a member of the Muslim community, unless there's a support group for white e-stalkers I don't know about. Maybe, just maybe some of them wont come to the land of the now worthless dollar if you quit playing Rambo in the land of oil, and mucking around in other countries.
No affirmative action for neocons masquerading as Muslims.

>> but now they are in my country where grassroots activism is what keeps us democratic against the centralizing tendencies of any federal government <<

This statement would carry some weight if you weren't a supporter of the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq. Yes, "your" poor country where grassroots activism gets 70 year old antiwar nuns placed on terror watch lists.

Humanitarian,
I'm just looking for consistency in action, that's all. Certainly your efforts are valuable and will be rewarded as they deserve-
It just seems that it's a bit premature to be renting the banquet hall and inscribing the humanitarian awards before the actual humnaitarian actions have manifested.

Dr. M-
Your response to OmarG's affirmation of Humanitarian's regret of Muslims throwing around the kuffar accusation, is to kick him out of the community, and call him a "white" e-stalker and neocon plant?

What do you have against white people anyway?
How is your racist interventions superior to the government's racist interventions that you lament so loudly?

@MRS.A: The best way to put such behavior on the decline is to ignore the troll; it withers away without any feeding ;-)

Well, Mrs.A., we can make this very simple. Was OmarG against the War in Iraq? If yes, then we can give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he/she was not, then DrM may have a point here, white, yellow, green or whatever.

>Dr. M-
Your response to OmarG's affirmation of Humanitarian's regret of Muslims throwing around the kuffar accusation, is to kick him out of the community, and call him a "white" e-stalker and neocon plant?<

Hello Mrs.A, I really have no interest in a petty, pathetic troll like omarg(Gumby). What does concern me is his consistent, and often racist misrepresentation of the Muslim community, and that he's a fraud. To make a long story short for those of you who don't know, I've had plenty of exchanges with clown(all of which he lost)on AltMuslim over the years. What's been revealed so far:

His consistent and unapologetic support for the war in Iraq(I'll never forget his comment(circa 2004) stating that since the British and French mucked around in the Middle East, Americans tanks should do the same by demolishing "old Arab culture" to bring the barbarians into the 21st century).

Support for PNAC neoconservative nation building strategy in the Middle East.

Shameless damage control for US war crimes in Iraq.

His support of Israel during its barbaric attack on Lebanon in 2006

Pulls the white nativist card(even though he himself isn't indigenous to the continent) to harass and bully Muslim Americans immigrants and dismissal of their concerns and experiences. Supports "loyalty tests" to weed out any Muslim who're not politically oriented to his liking.

I've been told is that the great white hope is now down to harassing woman on Muslim matrimonial sites, after his own marriage ended in divorce. I find the irony amusing considering how he likes to lecture us inferior "foreigners" on woman's issues.

Hatred of Muslims from "over there"(once said that all Arab and South Asian immigration must stop). Consistent opposition and slander of Muslim civil rights groups.

Labels Muslims "Islamists" and ran off when asked for a definition, only to create a clone account called "abu amreeki" who played the same games and disappeared himself when asked the burning question.

Pretends to be a scholar of Arabic(including its classic form) and yet seemed to come off as someone who failed Arabic 101. Despite his claims, he has never once corrected any Islamophobes who came trolling about the Holy Qur'an and its contents. Probably a "scholar" of English transliteration...

With such diametrically opposed and hostile views he can hardly a member of the Muslim community in any capacity.
If you've got a ton of time to waste, go check through the archives of this site, and see if I'm making it all up.

>What do you have against white people anyway?<

Nothing, I have no problems with white people. I DO have a problem with racist charlatans and liars pretending to be something they're not. That being said, white political correctness and loss of white privilege in the Muslim community mean nothing to me.
No affirmative action for sleazy Neocons and Nazis con artists.

OmarG >> Humanitarian: its *always* been this way even from the very first century of Islam. Don't let it bother you, because it does not seem to go away.

This is an offensive statement because it is so broad, it can be interpreted to mean anything. It hasn't always been this way. It is not this way in the teachings of the Quraan, the practices of our Messenger SAW or in the behaviour of pious predecessors. What has *always* been part of broader humanity is fear, intolerance and ignorance.

OmarG >> So, they can adapt or get out of the way. That said, its not a realistic way to respond to thier habits, although I do think it is fair: thier hangups should not become ours just because they chose to come to the land of the Dollar.

This sounds like a very emotional opinion. I think you'll find that Muslim immigrants have alot more sense of community than most Americans, but that they may have trouble with working in an environment where they are not accepted. From my exposure to "grass-roots" American movements that cater for the disempowered, it seems that the US federal government poses an overarching threat to these groups. And it seems to me to be a tendency that has developed over the last thirty years. The only way to ignore the hangupsm, is dealing with them in a concrete way.

MrsA >> The fact is- there are no Muslim orgs that take care of abused women, homeless people, or help address the real issues of poverty.

I agree with you. It is important to be optimistic and constructive. This article treats the extent of Muslim participation with kids gloves. Its almost delusional about the political effort that is required. Your points are very well made, but you were a bit hard.

DrM >> Nothing, I have no problems with white people. I DO have a problem with racist charlatans and liars pretending to be something they're not. That being said, white political correctness and loss of white privilege in the Muslim community mean nothing to me.

This is very bold from someone who despises the government, its laws, the general populations value system, the system of economics, and his discriminated place in that society. The supposed white privilege that threatens the citizenry of the United States is probably not even partly represented by the white portion of the American Muslim community.

>> Labels Muslims "Islamists" and ran off when asked for a definition, only to create a clone account called "abu amreeki" who played the same games and disappeared himself when asked the burning question.


You have had similar questions posed to you, and instead chosen to name call. Your problem is that you believe that you can hide behind the religious connotations of the word "Islam", and ignore the very overt fascist political Islam that is evidenced in recent history. Similar to how Zionists hide behind anti-semitism to ignore the aggression they inflict and the extreme factions in the Jewish community.

I've given you descriptions of the political fascism that is called "Islamist". I've talked about how loose definitions of "Kufr", have endless political connotations that go unchecked in our masjids. You've read many links with definitions by many scholars/politicians and pundits.

"Jihadis" in Iraq who sever heads are "Islamists". The bombings of the embassy in Nigeria was done by "Islamists". But in the same vain, peaceful activists "Islamists" too. So are many intellectuals and pseudo intellectuals. The Muslim brotherhood is Islamist, but so are many of the peaceful Sufi groups (like the dervishes and chishti), the progressive groups, the taliban, as well as the Mourabitoun. They can all be called Islamist. Because the crux of their agenda is to promote the values of Islam.

The type of Islamist that everyone is opposed to and are critical of, are those who think that egalatarianism is subject to their definition, their approval, their political control. Criticism of democracy as a political model is rife within these groups. Alienating the Muslim community from the non-Muslim community is a major objective. These are people who are starting with violent resistance instead of peaceful confrontation. People who see collaboration with a clean shaved person as about as nefarious as trusting a hypocrite. There is a violent/fascist/hateful doctrine that people are calling the true Islam during the time of the Propher SAW.

Look up the definiton of fascist, you'll be hard pressed to find a good formal defintion. Because like psychology has very few fixed definitions, its a sociological distinction. But its effects are well evidenced. That doesn't stop you from in turn making broad generalisations about white-privilege, hedonistic-westerners, indian chamcha-whatever, communist-3rdworld lackeys...

This sickness is not others, it is your own!

Everyone wants to alienate the people with this doctrine and are so wrongfully calling it Islamist and unwittingly alienating the political participation of the Muslim moderate center. Because we believe that by doing good is good enough, we are caught in a catch22 in that the people who take Allahs name have hijacked our ownership of political Islam. This strain of Muslim who have hatred for non-Muslims and are hatefull towards them are being called Islamist and jihadist. If you lived in Saudi, there are Muslim who are considered Jihadists. They are real. People who are fighgting in Iraq/Afhganistan/Kashmir. People who have no respect for political participation or faith in it.

Like the Kharijites, these are Muslims, to be buried in our cemeteries and to have the rights of Zakaah fulfilled on them etc. But their actions in the contemporary world are truly ugly. And they are feeding off of insecurities in our communities and indulging in extravagant applications of Quraanic ayats on our contemporary situation. They do kill, are not interested in listening to others, are not considering the impact of their violence, and respond with more and more violence. They are not any party of Allah and they want a victory over the world. They represent the most right wing wrongs of our community. In my view, you are allowing these views to settle in our community by painting with broad strokes and being wilfully ignorant of everything outside your elaborate political conspiracy. Yelling in the dark, but shedding no light.

And Allah knows best.