IIA – Teaching Islam
Sorry. Got caught up helping with the conference. Couldn’t take extensive notes for the blog. Hopefully Sam I Am will be post some notes.
Day: March 6, 2004
IIA – Public Policy Q&A
Q: History of Muslims in US two things weren’t mentioned. Internal history was mentioned, but not overseas history, i.e. Islamism. Local history as well, meaning context of action and reaction. A: Khan: Assumption that b/c we live in free society we can be more creative in our interpretation and export it back to Muslim majority countries. Jury is still out on this matter. Islamist movements have clearly been influencing debate here. ISNA started as front of Ikhwan, now it’s MAS. Authenticity is still tied to movements “back home,” even amongst reverts. Need to be comfortable in our Islamic identity. Cesari:…
Islam in America – Muslims and Public Policy
Introduces panelists: moderator: Jocelyne Cesari – Harvard – works with EC on Islam, religions, race and rights Charles Dunbar – prof. of int’l relations at simmons college – former ambassador to yemen and qatar – writing book on whether western sahara would be independent or part of morocco while working for UN – charge d’affaires in afghanistan Muqtedar Khan – Brookings Institute Fellow – US Foreign Policy towards Muslim World – VP of Assoc. of Muslim Social Scientists Amaney Jamal – Asst. Prof. at Princeton – Arab-American community in Detroit – dissertation on Palestinian Americans [didn’t get all the details]
Islam in America – Keynote
Karen Leonard on race and religion. Moorish identity first. Noble Drew Ali, etc. Turks were classified as Asiatics and Arabs (associated with Ottoman Empire) and therefore denied citizenship based on race. South Asians were also disqualified. All S. Asians were initially referred to as “Hindoos,” but not used in religious sense. S. Asian and Arab identity is internally ambivalent about identifying as white. New racialization of Muslims. Imposition of Arab phenotype. US Dept. of Transportation issued in Oct., 2001 indicates Arabs, S. Asian, Muslim and Sikh passengers should not be singled out for searches. None are racial categories. Islam is…
Islamic Spam
Well it had to happen. The spammers have gone so sophisticated that they are now appealing to the Muslim in me to help them out. I wonder how they figured out my religon? Asalam-o-alikum! In my search for a reliable and God (Allah) fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers and painstaking efforts I have decided to seek your help in carrying out my last wish. My names are Salama Hama. I’m a 65 years old man and a Western Saharan.I am presently in Republic of Western Sahara. I was a merchant and owned two businesses in Dubai,…
Islam in America – Opening Remarks
Chair Shiraz Hajiani. Raised in E. Africa, of S. Asian descent. Talks about Texas cyanide arrests; Saudi banning of Jewish tourists; Title VI issues. Mentions they relate to each of the three panels: Public Policy, Interfaith, and Education. Mentions this is the fifth conference. First four chairs were all women; mentions ethnicities: African-American, European-American, South Asian American, Central Asian American. Observant Jews will not be in attendance today because of Sabbath and Purim. Will be present tomorrow. Introduces Karen Leonard.
Transformations
Is everything Islamic correct? Do you always believe that the Mullahs, Sheikhs and Imams have a “pure” agenda when they teach the various interpretations of Islam. This article from the NYT’s Magazine provides a view into the transformation of Salafi Imam –> from a conservative, fire-bombing, radical Islamist to a liberal thinker. There is still hope. Here is a small passage: For all the thousands of children who have memorized the holy book at Koranic schools, it can make for a wonderful companion to carry through life. But it’s also a dangerous tool. The emotional power of those divine lyrics,…
Islam in America Conference Coverage Begins
I’m starting coverage of the Islam in America Conference. Will try to highlight points by various speakers at the end of each panel.