A New Muslim Renaissance is Here
American Muslims are becoming thought, cultural leaders and reviving perspectives on religious inclusionHistory is witness to a time past when the Islamic civilization produced globally unparallelled architecture, literature, science, philosophy, theological discourse, and cultural influences – influences so strong it made European nobles want to dress like Muslims. Critics of Islam and Muslims scoff at this romanticism, asserting that Muslims have not produced anything great since the Middle Ages and most likely will never again. The inherent bigotry and even fallacy of that argument aside, for those critics I have to say, look out, a new Muslim renaissance is upon us.
In the midst of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the US since 9/11, or perhaps thanks to it, this generation of Muslims is abandoning the traditional professions expected from immigrant parents (doctors, engineers, business people) and entering fields we all once thought were closed to us. The last decade has seen a steady and sure emergence of American Muslims as artists, writers, performers, activists, media personalities and intellectuals (on a global scale Muslims rank as top intellectuals). Inside the DC beltway you see evidence of this shift as well. Young American Muslims are working in national security, public diplomacy, foreign policy, politics – we have our share of hacks and wonks now too.
In a climate where America still finds itself in an uncomfortable dance with Islam, the fact that Muslims themselves are becoming thought and culture leaders in America has tremendous prospects. Anti-shariah bills loom large across the country, violence against Muslims happens and is encouraged, the homeland security apparatus is still figuring out how to work with Muslims as partners and not suspects, and a large swath of the public cannot even stomach something as innocuous as Muslims being in a patriotic coca-cola ad. But instead of being cowed, young American Muslims have reacted by demanding to tell their own stories, become influencers, and claiming their rightful place in US institutions and discourse.
This dynamism hasn’t been limited to the intersection of American Muslims with the prevailing culture. In the past five years American Muslims are leading movements to revive or reform perspectives on religious inclusion, most notably the inclusion of women and LGBTQ Muslims in sacred spaces.
On the issue of women’s leadership, inclusion, and status in Islam, there is a clear call to revive the traditions of female scholarship, leadership, and open mosque spaces. It’s no small thing that the Grand Mufti of Egypt Shaykh Ali Gomaa has acknowledged the permissibility of women leading men in prayer in the Western context after the persistence of female North American Muslim activists and scholars on the issue. A movement to explore the spaces allotted women in American mosques has lead to a larger discussion on what it means to be “Unmosqued”, or be part of a generation that feels little relevance and connection to any place of worship. “Muslim feminism” is being taken seriously by Western Muslims as the antidote to patriarchal expressions of Islam. The long standing idea, from the colonial period onward, that mosques and religious leadership are male spaces is finding its match not in a global Muslim arena, but in a Western Muslim one.
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Comments (27)
The way I see it, we are all human beings. What one's religion is, is fine with me. As long as other religions are not impeding on my human rights.....(right or wrong)....the human rights governed by the country I am living in. If I do not like these human rights, I can move to a different country.
I think people's religion, because there are so many different types of religions in the world with some conflicting views, should be practiced in individual's private lives. Therefore, we can all live together on a humanitarian level and abide by the laws of our land.
Now, if an individual's religious belief impedes with the law of the land, that is up to authority figures to deal with.
As humans, no matter what your religion is, we all share this tiny planet and it is imperative we preserve humanity and the environment as a whole. If not, chaos will surely ensue.
Hello to you!
Thanks for your very open-minded and balanced comment, especially for your words of wisdom:
"As humans, no matter what your religion is, we all share this tiny planet and it is imperative we preserve humanity and the environment as a whole. If not, chaos will surely ensue."
Thanks for your comment.
According to the article, it may take a generation or two for the Muslim impact on American cultural life to be manifested.
Thank you for your open-minded view of the situation.
Perhaps religion may be a demon to you, but one cannot deny that it provides valuable “psychological security” that helps others to cope with their daily lives.
Correct my history if I'm wrong but the Saudis invited the Americans because they feared who'd be next in Saddam's conquest of the middle east.
I agree with your comment.
This blog points to such a process of integration in the United States.
I agree that there is evidence to show that SOME MUSLIMS have engaged in “cutting off heads & blowing people up” as you have stated. However, they are a minority.
ALL MUSLIMS do not engage in or support such actions and it is very unfair to associate such actions with ALL muslims, and to stereotype them.
I am always open to constructive discussion on an issue.
I empathize with you in regard to the difficulties you faced as a citizen of Northern Ireland that you mentioned.
I have a great respect for the Irish. I think some of the best poets on Poetry Corner, where I post some of my poems, are Irish.
Concerning the matter of Religion being a demon and its relationship to Science that you raised, I would prefer to discuss this with you in a CS email since it is not directly related to the topic of this blog, in keeping with Blog Rule 4.
Please send me an email outlining your views on the matter.
You are entitled to your own opinion as I am entitled to mine.
However, I am certain that eventually there will be acceptance, and not dominance worldwide.
Only time will tell!
I disagree with you that the migration to which you refer, is to dominate.