Answer
Salam (Peace) Richard,
Thank you for contacting About Islam with your question.
A substantial number of the Muslims in the US are African-Americans, the children of the slaves who were brought to America from Africa. However, there is an increasing number of Muslims in the U.S who are middle-class professionals from Arab and Asian origin and new converts coming from different ethnic backgrounds, including a large number of Latinos.
After the 1950’s, many Muslims came to the US, attracted by the prosperity and civil liberties, especially Muslims from Arab countries who were suffering underdevelopment and/or political authoritarianism.
While the African American Muslims joined the struggle for civil liberties and economic welfare, the immigrant Muslims–in general – were living low profile lives, focusing on their studies and careers. So, their presence was hardly noticed by the average American.
But at the same time, these quiet Asian and Arab-Americans were loyally serving their host country (later their country of citizenship) in the best ways they could. Most of them made the US their new homeland, as the conditions that prevailed were quite hospitable and the people were very kind and generous.
One shortcoming they had was their habit of remaining insular. Because the prevailing culture in the US was so different from their native culture, they were afraid of mixing freely with others. This exclusiveness prevented them from being involved in social and political activities.
This changed in the nineties when the Muslim community became more dynamic and socially active.
Now, after September 11th, immigrant American Muslims have realized that this attitude will not do any good. It is not enough that they love and serve the common good in America, but they have to appear in public spaces as active citizens too, participating in all domains of life and in the civil society alongside their fellow citizens.
Although the experiences of the Muslims after the terrorist attacks were quite painful, they are convinced more than ever of the necessity of coming forward to serve the country and its people. This, I think, will be one of the positive results of the painful events of September 11th.
Another important result is the new interest of Americans in the religion of Islam. Usually, except for a minority, Americans are indifferent to the alien cultures and religions they come across. But now many people ask:
What is Islam? What is jihad? Does that religion teach terrorism (It doesn’t. Islam categorically condemns terrorism)? And so on and so forth.
This new inquisitiveness gives Muslims a chance to talk about their religion to a listening audience and – consequently – a lot of misunderstandings are being cleared up. Also, I believe Islam will gain acceptance in the US as a religion of peace, alongside Christianity.
One principle of Islam, which will gain more acceptance in the US, is its emphasis on justice. We must recognize that lasting peace is not possible without justice. Peace cannot be established anywhere in the world, whether it be the Middle East or elsewhere, if we violate the principles of justice.
Governments and communities need to recognize this fact now more than ever.
More Americans are looking into American foreign policy and are dismayed by its bias to Israel. And though the last elections supported the republicans, I trust that, in the course of time, more Americans will become more alert to the violations of civil liberties and the mistakes of their country’s foreign policy.
The Islamic centers and the mosques have a key role to play here in propagating the universal ethics and principles of Islam. There are many misconceptions and many people after 9/11 have started reading about Islam and are being liberated from the distorted image that is circulated about Islam in the media.
Many of our American friends admitted to us recently that they never knew Muslims believe in all the prophets of the old testament or that Muslims see Jesus as a prophet of Allah and honor his mother Mary.
Indeed, to Muslim, all the three religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) are basically the same religion, revealed by God Almighty.
As for the new Muslim generation, who has been brought up in the states, they are more affirmative, highly educated, and capable of reaching out to all segments of the American society.
In short, I feel that Islam will exert a positive influence in North America in the days to come, in spite of some present hostile attitudes and backlash.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:
Is Islam Foreign to America History? (Video)
“The Muslim-ness” of African Americans