American Muslims

[DavyCrocket2003]

Im very happy for you , congratulations .

That must have changed your view on Islam, right? I tend to think that its this kind of step that people are missing on this forum, and thats why we see all these attacks on Islam.

Is he like a real practicing Muslim? Prayers, good manners, no talking in the back of others and stuff like that?

Actually, no. It didn't change my view of Islam at all. I still consider it the same as before: a beautiful religion that teaches important truths.

 

[fatima_bintu_islam]

Actually, no. It didn't change my view of Islam at all. .

I was shocked ..

I still consider it the same as before: a beautiful religion that teaches important truths

I smiled ..

Thank you very much for your kind words

 

[DavyCrocket2003]

I was shocked ..



I smiled ..

Thank you very much for your kind words

No need. It's nothing about me being kind. It's about not being afraid of actually looking at other beliefs. Sometimes it's surprising how similar they are to your own.

 

[fatima_bintu_islam]

No need. It's nothing about me being kind. It's about not being afraid of actually looking at other beliefs. Sometimes it's surprising how similar they are to your own.

Indeed, I totally agree. And thats what make the communication incredibly tasty

 

[beenie]

Salaam to all,

i live in America, and to be honest, i think it's easy to be a Muslim here. sure there are temptations here, but aren't there temptations everywhere? the one good thing about here is that it is free of all the "cultural" beliefs that have made their way into Islam in many Muslim-populated countries. those countries have a lot of history (many being divided politically, etc.) and some cultural beliefs have remained and have been grandfathered in to their practice of Islam.

in the US, the American culture IS a combined culture; we are free to practice however we choose. we can study and learn the true Islam and leave the cultural bias behind. sure, things are not banned here; we have to make choices, sometimes hard ones, in order to do the right thing. but i think that's a good test of our faith and our dedication to God and Islam.

DavyCrocket, i'm so glad you met a nice Muslim man who has given you a true example of Islam. whether he prays or not...that's between him and his Creator; his example as a human being is what WE see.

and i agree with fatima too; Muslims misunderstand non-Muslims, and non-Muslims misunderstand Muslims. open, respectful dialogue is the only way those barriers will be broken.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Of course not, but it just is much more dramatic because once religious children do indulge in these practices they are going against everything they profess to be. So while they might not be truly the same around their parents, that is a major difference for, say a Muslim, to go out partying at night clubs. That is a complete shift of identity and it's important for parents to understand what their kids are doing. I've met countless parents who are clueless about the whereabouts of their children, it's really just sad.

Thanks for the reply Abibi. I understand what you're saying. Out of curiosity, is the problem with night clubs the alcohol? You could go to a club and dance and party with friends without drinking alcohol.

 

[Yona]

I am not Muslim but I just wanted to say, I tend to get along better with American Muslims particularly other immigrants more so than I do other Americans. Good people, even if some of you think I'm a dirty Joo. Also, I like your signature Abibi.

 

[Sahar]

I am not Muslim but I just wanted to say, I tend to get along better with American Muslims particularly other immigrants more so than I do other Americans. Good people, even if some of you think I'm a dirty Joo. Also, I like your signature Abibi.

Dirty Jew? Why are you saying this?

 

[TashaN]

I am actually not Indian. I am entirely European.

I was under the impression that you were Indian too because there is a large Indian community in Australia.

 

[Sahar]

Thanks for the reply Abibi. I understand what you're saying. Out of curiosity, is the problem with night clubs the alcohol? You could go to a club and dance and party with friends without drinking alcohol.

LOLz
I am sure Abibi will reply better than me. But the problem is with the environment as a whole. The mixing between males and females, the revealing clothes of many of the girls, the mixed and inappropriate dance between the two sexes, the alcohol and the drunken people, even if you yourself don't drink, you shouldn't go to a place where alcohol is served and people get drunk...etc, the inappropriate touch and talk (if you get what I mean), the inappropriate music and songs....the entire environment is too far from being Islamically acceptable.

 

[Sahar]

We are exposed to those in Egypt and in most of the so-called "Islamic nations".

Yes, we face very hard time to be good Muslims even in the countries of a Muslim majority. To be straight and honest and to follow your principles is very difficult.

 

[Hijabihippie]

I am an American Muslim & I thank Allah for that. Yes, there is some really ugly prejudice here, and I have civil rights here.
I'm not saying America is perfect but speaking as a woman it sure beats Saudi Arabia.

 

[Yona]

Dirty Jew? Why are you saying this?

It's no secret that some in the Muslim/Arab community don't like Jews, I am not speaking of Muslims as a whole, just refering to the crazies I've encountered here and there.

 

[Zardoz]

It's no secret that some in the Muslim/Arab community don't like Jews, I am not speaking of Muslims as a whole, just refering to the crazies I've encountered here and there.

I wish I knew more Muslims in RL, but all the ones I met were the best kind of folk; the only 'crazies' I've ever met were Evangelicals... *shudder*

 

[fatima_bintu_islam]

It's no secret that some in the Muslim/Arab community don't like Jews, I am not speaking of Muslims as a whole, just refering to the crazies I've encountered here and there.

Sometimes when some people do harm your brothers and sisters, people do tend to generalise their hate for Israelite Jews to every Jew they meet. I might add that they are rare, but maybe your experience with the Muslims youve met wasnt very successful so I dont blame you

 

[fatima_bintu_islam]

I wish I knew more Muslims in RL, but all the ones I met were the best kind of folk; the only 'crazies' I've ever met were Evangelicals... *shudder*

Believe me, its the first time I hear such an honest comment and Ihave to say that its a bit refreshing ( Not the evangelicals part of course lol)

 

[Bismillah]

It's no secret that some in the Muslim/Arab community don't like Jews, I am not speaking of Muslims as a whole, just refering to the crazies I've encountered here and there.

What you would find is that the majority of these people are normal individuals that don't seem to have any inclinations of hostility and aggressiveness. Rather, they were raised in a closed environment and were repeatedly exposed to negative views of that group. Even my parents could be accurately described as anti-semitic when they first moved to America.

The turning point is when people of different backgrounds interact face to face and dispel the rumors and myths they were brought up to believe. I know my parents distinctly changed their old views when I introduced them to a close Jewish friend of mine. Encouraging an interfaith environment would do wonders to ease these tensions, otherwise when all is said and done we scurry about among people similar to us and never come to experience the broader picture.

Also please do not demean yourself like that, I have found that it only strengthens the viciousness with which the ignorant attack you.

 

[Bismillah]

Thanks for the reply Abibi. I understand what you're saying. Out of curiosity, is the problem with night clubs the alcohol? You could go to a club and dance and party with friends without drinking alcohol.

Well almost everything

The scantily dressed women, the alcohol, the illegal drugs (perhaps this would be more suited towards Raves), and ultimately what follows when men and women find in each other, under the influence, in such an enviornment.

I'm not sure what would happen if I were to accompany some of my more hedonistic friends on their misadventures. The social pressure to conform and the accessibility of all these things would be an environment I'd rather skip altogether. Understand that the only reason that I would go would be to socialize and I would rather socialize with those who are more like minded. This, I believe, isn't anything new. After all I have had Christian friends who went to Church to attend Christian concerts. Indeed a recent lecture by a visiting Imam emphasized that the mosque should not be a stone cold place of pure religious worship, but also a community center in which Muslims find themselves at ease and able to enjoy each other's company. There was a hadith the sahabah, companions of the Prophet, even used to wrestle in the mosque

 

[Yona]

What you would find is that the majority of these people are normal individuals that don't seem to have any inclinations of hostility and aggressiveness. Rather, they were raised in a closed environment and were repeatedly exposed to negative views of that group. Even my parents could be accurately described as anti-semitic when they first moved to America.

The turning point is when people of different backgrounds interact face to face and dispel the rumors and myths they were brought up to believe. I know my parents distinctly changed their old views when I introduced them to a close Jewish friend of mine. Encouraging an interfaith environment would do wonders to ease these tensions, otherwise when all is said and done we scurry about among people similar to us and never come to experience the broader picture.

I totally realize, understand and agree with what you're saying.

Also please do not demean yourself like that, I have found that it only strengthens the viciousness with which the ignorant attack you.

I do so as a joke and because I found, if you say and joke about what people may call you, it won't effect that much if at all and takes power away from those whom wish to demean and so on.
'

Sometimes when some people do harm your brothers and sisters, people do tend to generalise their hate for Israelite Jews to every Jew they meet. I might add that they are rare, but maybe your experience with the Muslims youve met wasnt very successful so I dont blame you

I fully understand the animosity between our two communities and the reason for that. I also know that usually 'Israeli' and 'Jew' are used interchangably/synonymously and widely so, I do understand.

 

[Amica]

I am originally European Muslim, but have come to America as a refugee. So, all my life I have been a Muslim in a Western nation surrounded by many things that are generally viewed as unislamic. So, what is it like?
I think it is hard and easy at the same time. It is easy in America, in terms of your own individual rights. You are free to get education if you can, find a job, raise a family, etc. It is hard when you meet/encounter people who know nothing about Islam because of which they may say something insulting, or simply run away from you as if you got horns on your head.
But, it is also hard personally because you are faced with so many temptations. So, you have to fight your own personal struggles not to give in. It's something the country cannot fix for you, but something you must work on individually. Will you order a beer when all other people around you who are not Muslims will? Are you going to scroll on a beach fully dressed while others are bathing in the sun, enjoying the summer heat--or are you just decide to avoid the place for the time being? Are you going to wear hijab because you must, or are you afraid that someone is going to insult you because of it (post 9/11 era)? etc. Many of those examples.
Being a Muslim woman is not easy regardless where you are: in the West or in the East, though.