Archives

Muslims in the West: To be reformist or defensive?

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Mar 21, 2010

When writing a book, it’s typical for a journalist to rely on interviews and personal observations, backed by reports and other forms of scholarly research.

But I’m blessed to have an added source of information: your emails. They serve as reality checks par excellence.

Over the years, I’ve received the most incredible messages from you — ranging in tone from side-splittingly funny to spine-chillingly scary.

Muslims and non-Muslims who care about freedom need to know exactly what we’re up against, and why there’s hope. Emails from actual people, reflecting actual attitudes, will keep the content of my next book both honest and human.

Here’s what I mean. Recently, an email from London, UK landed in my inbox. It’s at once troubling and promising: “I am an 18 year old Sunni Muslim… I don’t like a lot the things associated with Islam.” He mentions “stoning.” But he’s also struggling with “xenophobic attacks… There are a lot of groups that appear determined to smear Muslims.”

The young man asks, “How do I deal with this problem? I have begun to become really insecure.”

You can see that he’s torn between religious reform and personal defensiveness. As I’ve learned by speaking at countless universities, it’s an all-too-common dilemma.

Rather than fire off an answer informed my own experiences, I decided to widen the circle of advisers by consulting my Facebook community. Tapping into their empathy, I figured, could not only produce more relevant answers, but it would educate them further about why, when we’re discussing or debating Muslim reform, we’re ultimately talking about people’s lives — not academic theories.

The Facebookers, as always, came through. Some of their responses:

* “You are young, British and Muslim. You are full of ideas. Your generation holds the key to tomorrow for your faith, your country and your world. Your discomfort with things deemed Islamic is real discomfort, like standing in a dank London rain without an umbrella. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re out of line, that you’re crazy. What you wouldn’t want for yourself, you shouldn’t want for others. Let your friends and neighbors know this through your actions.

Admired by the young and the downtrodden, [Prophet] Muhammad never wore a frown or ever refused to help a petitioner. He taught us to seek God everywhere and in everyone, regardless of their faith or belief. You might have to endure more than you already have. The groups who target Muslims are replacing one form of hate with another. Regardless, we need to set our house in order, then show our neighbors the repairs we have made.” - Ismail

* “Show the attitude of a Muslim as friendly and confident.” - Taufan

* “My 18-year-old twins choose to hold their mother’s faith and conduct themselves as positive, progressive and relevant Muslim youths. The effect is evident in the awe and admiration they inspire among their peers of all ethnicities. They are asked many questions and I think their words and actions defuse and debunk many of the negative stereotypes.” - Mazlina

* “As a Mexican-American, I can’t tell you how important it is to show gratitude toward the host country that is now home yet, at the same time, remain proud of one’s roots. Any minority has to be pro-active and not always defensive. He should pressure his local religious and political representatives to speak out against Muslim violence more frequently. Have them conduct more discussions about the importance of integration.” - Rosa

* “The worst thing you can do is start to think that these xenophobic attacks are the result of everyone disliking you. The people doing the attacking aren’t attacking you, they are attacking what they ‘think’ you represent. They don’t even know you.

Guaranteed, these attacks are only from a small group of small-minded people. You need to find friends, like us, are on your side. Friends who will empower you to stand up against those who try to disempower you.” - Jamie (teacher)

* “At 18, you have a wide selection of choices depending on where you are academically. If it is practical, try exchange programs that take you away from the circumstances within and expose you to the ‘other,’ thus giving you a different perspective.” - Nganga

* “He will likely have to learn to take the high road and be honest about where his spiritual exploration takes him.” - Jason

* “The best way is to prove to the Muslim-haters, through his own behavior, that not all Muslims deserve their anger. This is how they will understand that it is not Islam which should be hated but the abuses committed in its name.” - Armand

* “Only by your example as a reform-minded Muslim can the xenophobes find their way to change.  Show them the power of REASON.” - Henri

* “What do you mean by ‘xenophobic’? That word is used loosely these days. Let me ask: do you believe in stoning, honour-killing and terrorism? No? Then don’t feel bad; critics of Islam are not talking about you. Welcome to Britain, mate.” - John

* “I hear your fear and want you to know that not everyone is out to get Muslims. I truly believe that those folks are in the minority. There seems to be more of them because they get so much news coverage. The news covers those who foment discontent. There are many of us who aren’t Muslim but who open our arms and hearts to you. If you look for us, you will find us.” - Teri

* “I think this young man is already showing he has no need need to be insecure. He is questioning some of the more objectionable practices, which anyone should do in his shoes. He should apply the same thought to xenophobia as he does to stonings.  Why is this happening? Does it solve a problem? Is it moral? Why am I reacting this way? What are the long-term effects of this type of reaction?

The risk here is that these illogical attacks will push him towards a more hard-line view that over time will become very difficult to defend.” - Nathan

* “I also have to deal with xenophobic attacks. All you can do is keep your head held high and have the attacks investigated. But more personally, he needs to distinguish between the Islam that is practiced today and the Islam that should be practiced.

Also, he doesn’t have to stick with the Islamic community. I, myself, don’t care for Sunni or Shia interpretations. I try to understand things on my own and don’t take them in without questioning them. Only then can you establish a greater belief in your religion.” - Moussa

* “Recognize that not all non-Muslims believe all Muslims are akin to the Wahhabi strain of Islam.  By all means, feel free to share the positive aspects of your religion but please don’t take it as a license to force anyone to listen. I don’t appreciate Christian fundamentalists who get in my face and I won’t appreciate it from Muslims either.  Many non-Muslims will support the efforts of reform-minded Muslims who recognize human rights, INCLUDING the right of religious freedom.” - Athena

* “Being a Muslim in 2010 London is what it was like being Irish in London in the 1970s and 80s.  In this information age, people are more accepting and caring human beings. But there will always be a few who cut you to the bone with how they describe you. Don’t let that hurt turn inwards. You and your faith are stronger. Their words are fueled by fear and ignorance. If you break the cycle of hate, they will pass.” - Eoin