You’ve probably heard that Islam is a decentralized religion, that there is no recognized clerical hierarchy or no one person with authority to speak on behalf of the 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. I’ve always viewed this organizational structure with appreciation that as a Muslim, I am personally empowered to understand the dictates of the religion in my own cultural & national context.

However, after 9/11, it quickly became evident that this very absence of a religious leader left many non-Muslims shaking their heads over what they perceived to be the overwhelming silence from Muslims in the condemnation of the 9/11 attacks. Irrespective of the many Muslim voices which did speak out – it’s clear that these voices were not heard, especially in America, a land where the media thrives on sound-bites & vivid imagery which do little to explain the complexities of world affairs.

As an American Muslim who is signed up on numerous blogs and e-mail lists, I hear the voices of condemnation, I read about the interfaith initiatives, and I’m aware of the volunteer & community-building projects thriving across the country. My two children & I even co-authored a book about the basics of Islam in order to dispel stereotypes about the religion and its followers, so believe me when I say that Muslims are proactively trying to engage in the dialogue. In January 2009, the United States Institute of Peace published a report titled Islamic Peacemaking Since 9/11 which extensively outlines the numerous Muslim initiatives in this regard.

Daisy Khan, Executive Director of the ASMA Society (American Society for Muslim Advancement) in New York is one such tireless advocate for education and authentic Islamic thought. Along with her husband, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, they are leaders in the field of prominent American Muslims who are striving to pursue religious harmony, yet even they face obstacles in receiving the media coverage which their efforts duly deserve. Muslim activists, authors, artists, average citizens - we’re all around you - but what do we have to do to break through the pervading atmosphere of willful misunderstanding about Islam in America?

As a religious group, American Muslims are not a monolithic block – they are as diverse as American Jews in terms of differences in orthodoxy and observance, yet the media continues to define them by the radical acts of a few. To compound the issue, most non-Muslims remain unaware of the vibrant debates over interpretation and self-identity within the Muslim arena.

Who speaks for Muslims? I can only speak for myself when I try to explain the basics of Islam at book-signings, lectures, and Islam 101 classes. This ongoing dialogue is important to those non-Muslims who are curious about learning the facts of a religion which is often perceived as foreign or even un-American (my children are third-generation Americans). Our book, The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook, is in over 750 libraries and on a growing number of school and college curriculums as a handy, non-proselytizing resource on Islam, yet some Muslims themselves glance at the cover and dismiss us as ‘not Muslim enough’.

The diversity which we firmly believe is inherent in Islam lends itself to not only our shadings of skin-color, but also the wide acceptance of personal interpretation. For example, the jacket cover of our book includes pictures of a variety of American Muslim teenagers – some in hijab, some not wearing hijab, some holding basketballs or guitars or i-Pods, some just smiling confidently into the camera – basically a snapshot of the unique teen experience. The welcoming accessibility and inclusiveness of this image resonates with my sincere belief that an American Muslim cannot be narrowly defined by any one image.

And yet, a fringe element within the Muslim community is bent on adhering to a definition of Islam which has no room for music or non-hijab wearing girls. Our book IS judged by its cover and summarily dismissed by these ‘representatives of true Islam’ – an irony which probably remains lost on them as the rest of us continue to strive against their narrow interpretations through our interfaith discourse and active involvement within our neighborhoods and communities – all activities which they do not engage in as they are loathe to leave their Muslim bubble. These critics love to condemn outspoken Muslims who endeavor to follow the fundamentals of Islam – belief in God and doing good deeds. Whose image of a Muslim is more valid in this global world, one who strives for peaceful co-existence through education and dialogue or one who is busy enforcing the minutia of dogma?

Explaining Islamic belief to anyone who is curious remains my foremost goal during this time when our voices are desperately missing in the media. However, it’s sad when our attempts are met with active condemnation by the very people whose children and grandchildren will one day benefit from the acceptance and tolerance which will eventually come to Muslims in America. Just as Jews, Catholics, and Mormons struggled for their place in this pluralistic nation, one day our time of struggle to be recognized as American Muslims will be over too, no thanks to the intolerant minority who sit on the side-lines passing judgment on the rest of us.

(Photo: Shazron via flickr under a Creative Commons license)

From the very day of 9-11, I have heard vocal and published condemnation of the event on TV, in countless newspapers, out of the mouths of world leaders of Islamic nations, in articles by imams in local mosques all over the US, from Muslim pundits and academics all over ... I just don't get it when I hear that there has been no condemnation of the 9-11 event. I won't get into the fact that a lot of Muslims, myself included, understand completely the world history that lead up to the attack, but let's not go there just now. Bottom line is that it was condemned vocally ad nauseum by anyone that the media could get a hold of or who wanted to issue a statement. No, there is no "pope" of Islam that all Muslims stop in their tracks and listen to like some Islamic EF Hutton, and no there is no media vehicle by which the world is called to attention and issued fatwas, bulls, pronouncements from on high and other memos. But unless one doesn't read, or hear, how has there been a broad reaching silence on 9-11 from the Muslim community?

Such condemnations have often come with an annoying string attached: condemning the attack, but blaming Israel or America for it. Very few Muslim leaders condemned it without some form of denial: either blame-the-victim, blame-Zionism, or equivocation. That kind of "condemnation", which essentially expresses sympathy for the attackers, is no "condemnation" at all.

Some Muslims have followed the example of their leaders and mouthed the same big lies over and over again since 9-11. Many other Muslims (the silent majority, perhaps?) have kept quiet.

Who speaks for Muslims? How many Muslims are willing to openly and publicly condemn the violent actions of Muslims who claim to be acting in the cause of their faith? How many Muslims are openly willing to claim that moderation is better or that humans demonstrably aren't ready for sharia and to take up arms to fight against those who want to impose it with violence? Who is willing to openly say that it is better to be or associate with a Christian or Jew rather than such "extremist" elements? And who is willing to endure the label "bad Muslim" for doing so?

These are my questions. Answers are desired.

These are my questions. Answers are desired.>>>

Well if you are looking for condemnation of the act that precludes and excludes any connection to preceding events, you might not find them except from those with no understanding of history or a desire to obfuscate the facts of that history. Interestingly right now, the US is undergoing the effects of the economic colonialism and manipulation of foreign governments and societies that it has engaged in for the last 150 years. No "terrorists" were even needed, and no fingers can possibly be pointed except to itself this time. It is no longer possible to establish and maintain an environment where certain nations are allowed to act as they please and other nations dare not fight back but must just take what they are told to take. That worked in the past just fine for many thousands of years with empire building when one nation dominated through military force its surrounding neighbors and imposed itself upon those neighbors. Well the neighbors are all grown up now and not willing to take it anymore. And the rolled up newspaper poised over the head of those in the US that might speak about these things, is crumbling.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/10/chas-freeman-slams-israel_n_173740.html

It gets particularly interesting along about paragraph 5.

No answers from the guardian of Egyptians afterlife. Next?

No answers from the guardian of Egyptians afterlife. Next?>>>

You are quite right. You will probably have a very long wait for the "right" answers you want to hear. I'd get used to it.

Some of the answers I have already. I already know that more Muslims are willing to fight alongside Jewish and Christian Americans in the cause of freedom to defeat "Islamic" terrorism than are willing to publicly say so - most recently in Iraq. Yet few Muslims are willing to discuss even this development, not even to endorse the capture of Saddam Hussein by American forces via the assistance of American and Iraqi Muslims.

Why such reluctance? And if there are no answers forthcoming from the "silent majority", why shouldn't Americans believe that either Muslims have no answers, or that they feel the militants and terrorists speak for them?

(BTW, I already commented on Freeman's letter over at Crossroads Arabia.)

the cause of freedom to defeat "Islamic" terrorism >>>

I don't mean to be provocative to you personally. But that's just so much jingoism that has lost all meaning. Just like love, dessert, and family values, no two people have the same meaning in mind when they hear them but they can be relied upon to make pretty much everybody stand up and salute, something. Do you, or anybody, see a beautiful freedom in Iraq as a result of American occupation? do you believe that was the intention for going in? To bring freedom? And what exactly is "terrorism" other than a supremely charged word that can be used to sumarily dismiss and negate anyone's position or argument. And why is it exactly that no one, not even Jews themselves, can question the actions of the Israeli government, a government that is after all made up of fallable human beings with the same possibility of error, greed, corruption, as any other government, why is it that any question of these policies gets one labelled an antisemite? And Jews that question these policies get called self-hating Jews? I question and critique the policies of China in Tibet, yet no one, not even the Chinese people I know, calls me a Chinese hater. It's strange, and everyone on all sides of the thing knows it. But I think it's going to change. I live in NYC and almost all the the Jews I know and work with are fed up and disgusted with the policies of the Israeli government. I have attended several programs put on by Jews who are seeking to reverse these policies. I hear it discussed by the large number of Jews who ride the train with me every day. It's running out of steam and the "man behind the curtain" is starting to look like, just a man afterall.

The author's concern was the questions non-Muslims have for Muslims and who speaks for Muslims in response. If you insist upon pursuing tangential questions and issues to avoid the subject, isn't that disrespectful trolling?

Whose image of a Muslim is more valid in this global world, one who strives for peaceful co-existence through education and dialogue or one who is busy enforcing the minutia of dogma?

"the United States Institute of Peace"? Never heard of it, and I try be aware of the Muslim community.

A book? If it didn't make the New York Times best seller list, see the above.

If the Muslim community is going to be understood at all by America, you're going to have to meet Americans, by the half-dozen and by the hundreds.

I don't think this article speaks necessarily to the way we respond to terror, but to the ways we organise our social institutions and the imperative for Muslim citizens to band together in the absence of a formal Caliphate. It isn't only about how we face terror, but also how we face racism, education, dawaah, charity etc. Its not cohesive enough for us to leverage our numbers or the Islamic cause.

>>> I just don't get it when I hear that there has been no condemnation of the 9-11 event. I won't get into the fact that a lot of Muslims, myself included, understand completely the world history that lead up to the attack, but let's not go there just now.

Because as an Ummah we stand hidden from view. Becaue our Islamic voice is quelled by fascist regimes and secular fascist states. As a result, who we are is less relevant than where we are. We aren't integrated, mutually


>>> If the Muslim community is going to be understood at all by America, you're going to have to meet Americans, by the half-dozen and by the hundreds.

While I appreciate your frankness, how many minorities, civil rights activists, homosexuals etc. have met Americans in the Hundreds? Ignoring that Muslims are Americans too. You're exhascerbating the obvious .. Americans ultimately consider themselves engaged in a war against Islam. They don't want to confront uncomfortable issues of their involvement in conflicts or promoting terrorism themselves. So people instead insist on asking "where?" "who?" "why?", despite the very vocal and physical responses of the Muslim public.

>>> Who speaks for Muslims? How many Muslims are willing to openly and publicly condemn the violent actions of Muslims who claim to be acting in the cause of their faith?

Because the condemnation is not broadcast on CNN or FOX doesn't make it any less of a condemnation. I think that much of the American citizenry needs to conscientise themselves about the failures of the Muslim world, not because its true, but to make the wars legitimate in their minds. So when violence is condemned absolutely, the media chooses to ignore it, preferring instead to think of terrorists as the moral voice. Its not active listening .. its active deafness. The same way Israelis need to think of Arabs as barbaric and uncivilised, and quintessentially non-Jewish, or that MEMRI purposefully mistranslates or ignores certain views.


>>> Yet few Muslims are willing to discuss even this development, not even to endorse the capture of Saddam Hussein by American forces via the assistance of American and Iraqi Muslims.

Honestly .. what's their to discuss. All you can see is Saddam being hanged, all we can see is a destroyed country, millions dead and a mob trial. Discussion entails listening. Amongst Muslims it is blatantly stupid to discuss the American invasion in terms of Saddam when he was obviously the smalles piece in the equation of the war.

While I appreciate your frankness, how many minorities, civil rights activists, homosexuals etc. have met Americans in the Hundreds? Ignoring that Muslims are Americans too. .... Americans ultimately consider themselves engaged in a war against Islam.
- Posted by Ghulam

(The following is intended for an American audience, but Ghulam, feel free to respond from a South African point of view.)

You do it a half dozen at a time. You get the head of your mosque to contact the heads of local churches and offer you as a speaker for church groups. You don't talk about Israel, you talk about your job, your wife, your kids, your in-laws, paying the mortgage, going to pray at the mosque. This will usually be the first contact most people have ever had with a Muslim. The message is: We aren't all that different.

What people do not realize is that there is a DISCONNECT between Americans and the US Government. What the Government does and what the people would want it to do, if asked do not go together. Democracy is basically a 4-year election of a "personality". Not a party or a set of ideas.

This problem is compounded by the fact that the Government can print money (issue bonds - debt) and institutionalize policies that may be unpopular in public. What is scary is that people are not paying for these forays with higher taxes. The Government has found a loophole to finance projects that bypass public tax and lay the burden on future generations in increasing debt burden.

America is a vast stretch of land where peoples of all kind can live without ever having to deal with the US Government. You pay your taxes and you are safe and sound, anything happens, you call the ambulance or call the police, and they are there in a minute. Electricity is aplenty, as is oil, as are cheap Chinese goods, and these allow for business to flourish. So work hard and enjoy a house in the suburb with a two-car garage. There is even no draft! The military is in reality a "mercenary force" that pays you to fight for the nation in College tuition and many other benefits. Heck, now we are at the point that the Government is openly hiring mercenaries to do the fighting.

There have been many condemnations of terrorism, but they are ineffective. This is what I think most people mean by saying they've not heard any condemnations. They want results, and they want us Muslims to produce those results. However, the dirty little secret is that we can't even effect change in our own often-dysfunctional communities let alone the world...

@fester, I think the author's point was that she and her work is dismissed by the more conservative people in our communities. It is dismissed, even condemned because of its attempt to show how we are diverse and integrated and American and Muslim all at the same time.

She writes this, I think, because the conservative elements in our communities are the trend-setters and opinion shapers. Many, but not all, of them are first-generation or 1/2 generation immigrants so this seems to be shaping up as an inter-generational and inter-cultural conflict that happens to be fought in the mosques since the mosques are the only places where 1/2 and 1st generationers' opinions are even remotely relevant.

However, the dirty little secret is that we can't even effect change in our own often-dysfunctional communities let alone the world...
- Posted by OmarG

So how do we change this?

The plan to wage wars against Muslim world was conceived by the NeoCons (mostlt Jewish) and the pro-Israel Zionists - long before 9/11 - which still being debated - "What really happened?" Now a majority of scholars have come to the conclusion that 9/11 was an inside job - carried out by Bush's Zionist administration - for the greed for Muslim natural resources and the security of Israel.

Afghanistan was invaded in October 2001 - not for 9/11 revenge - but for the Caspian Sea oil and dismember the only Muslim state with nuclear bomb. Iraqi invasion for oil and the security of Zionist state. The same applies to the current Iranophobia.

The "institutionized religious authority" has alread proven to be a curse for Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism. Islam is the only religion which give freedom to its followers - for choice in many religious functions.

For the Believers, Islamic Shari’ah contains both legal rules and ethical principles - such as Fard actions which must be performed; the actions which are encouraged to be performed but non-observance of which incurs no liability; actions in which a Muslim is given complete freedom of choice; actions which are morally but not legally wrong, and the prohibited actions (Haram) mentioned in Holy Qur’an.

Learn the truth behind Al-Qaeda, 9/11 and why Afghanistan is occupied:

http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/afghanistan-blaming-the-puppet-eh/

@fester:
* we carve out time form our schedules to help run the mosques,
* be patient by the Prophet's example in our efforts to bring professionalism to our mosques,
* be kind to all, even the ones to irritate us or try to block us,
* Avoid disputes and simply continue working towards a better community while ignoring the nay-sayers,
* Talk with other Muslims about these ideas and start getting people thinking about them,
* ##Set the example##

There's lots to do, very little of it is easy. Lots and lots of inspiration and motivation is needed, which is sapped by useless ideological disputes. "Think less, Do more" is what I remind myself to do all the time.

...this seems to be shaping up as an inter-generational and inter-cultural conflict that happens to be fought in the mosques since the mosques are the only places where 1/2 and 1st generationers' opinions are even remotely relevant.
- Posted by OmarG

Sounds like the kind of problem many immigrant groups have faced when coming to this country.

In my personal quest to better understand Islam, I've asked the closest mosque (60 miles away) for permission to visit, but never received a response. This kind of thing doesn't help the Islamic community.

>>but never received a response.

An old Marine once told me, "better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission". But seriously, just show up around noon or 1pm on a Friday and I'm sure the imam or someone responsible will be around. If not, just mingle and explain yourself to the nearest random person. I'm pretty sure most anyone would be happy to have you tag along, same gender only, though... If not Friday, lots of mosques have Sunday schools on sunday morning for the kids (yes, the irony is just too much, especially since I can dubiously claim I've gone to both Christian and Muslim Sunday schools!). At other times of the day, finding anyone is a hit or miss proposition.

fester >>> In my personal quest to better understand Islam, I've asked the closest mosque (60 miles away) for permission to visit, but never received a response. This kind of thing doesn't help the Islamic community.

I highly doubt that. Unless your request was lost. A mosque is not a person or an organisation. A mosque is a place of prayer that may or may not become a central point for meeting Muslims, but is hardly ever a central point for Muslims organising themselves. It is a House of Allah. If there are 3 Muslims in a certain area, they are immediately a congregation and have to pray together and would require a place.

OmarG >>> But seriously, just show up around noon or 1pm on a Friday and I'm sure the imam or someone responsible will be around. If not, just mingle and explain yourself to the nearest random person.

Exactly.

Fester >>> You get the head of your mosque to contact the heads of local churches and offer you as a speaker for church groups.

I think your expectation for others to reach out to you personally is a little convoluted. Especially considering that there are hundreds of online communities and means these days. What you're asking is for Muslims to evoke the same power in portraying themselves positively, that the media evokes in portraying Muslims negatively. That will never happen.

Meet the communities and its people, and not the stereotype immigrant/militant persona you've imagined, or with the thanks of the likes of DrM and Greybeard have realised. I'm very sure most of the authors of the articles on this site are accessible too.

OmarG >>> * be kind to all, even the ones to irritate us or try to block us,

The ones most likely to do the least no doubt.

OmarG >>> She writes this, I think, because the conservative elements in our communities are the trend-setters and opinion shapers. Many, but not all, of them are first-generation or 1/2 generation immigrants

You're undermining the mindset of American Muslims towards the establishment. By what I see covered in the media or blurted out on the airwaves .. Americans do consider themselves engaged in a war against Islam. This naturally evokes a defensive attitude, regardless of the political orientation. And no matter how you swing it, the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine are considered absolutely as an outside attack on the Muslim Ummah.

This site does not serve to address all Americans about Islam. Its focus is on addressing the American Muslim community about issues afffecting the community. Does it not seem consistent then that the issues with muslims in other parts of the world are considered issues that affect the community?