Three senators have approached the Pakistani(-American) community in New York. Read the article here. The politicians are finally starting to realize the value of using history and speaking a new symbolic language as witnessed by their calling on the vision Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It’s also important to note the semi-mea culpa with respect to the PATRIOT Act. The reach out maybe for the wrong reasons, but it’s an important acknowledgment of the role immigrants, and Muslims, play in the political process. It’s also an opportunity for us to get more involved and create a new vision for ourselves here in the US.
Related Posts
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:…
Porn and Chicken
OK, the news has broken. The Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo accused of espionage has apparently been charged with adultery and downloading pornography. Not quite espionage. I think TPM has it right in his analysis: it might be that all the information against him cannot be released, but would you then see him back on active duty? The Boston Globe discusses how the charge against Yee, the chaplain in question, might be the result of hysteria. I think they might be on to something. I could go on about how this really is a quest for the Justice Department, who now…
A Day in the Life
Suicide bombings are becoming a daily occurance in Iraq. So much so, that when I scan the paper in the morning I quickly glance over the morning report of Iraqi violence. I can say the same for Darfur. I have become de-sensitized to it. Shame on me. Today they got 47 in Mosul. Last week it was a much higher figure. The total will continue to rise like a pinball machine. High score goes to the insurgents. A few days ago, it was the mass shooting of civilians including women and children. The insurgents or terrorists no longer attempt to…