Hearings on Islam in America Begin

In a column in the March 9^th edition of The New York Times, Akbar Ahmed takes a pragmatic, unemotional approach to today’s Congressional hearings on Islamic radicalism in the United States.  He is calling on his fellow American Muslims to look at the hearings not as an attack on their community but as an opportunity to acquaint Americans with their religion.  He rightly blames anti-Muslim sentiment in America on fear of terrorism and ignorance of the Islamic faith.  He also acknowledges the suspicion of many American Muslims toward the law enforcement community who they often find heavy-handed in their interactions with them.  Efforts to cooperate with law enforcement agencies is often hampered by what many Muslim Americans find to be clumsy and insulting efforts by the agencies to “study” them and their religious institutions.  They are convinced that Homeland Security and the FBI are planting informants in their mosques instead of simply reaching out for a dialogue with them.

Ahmed, a professor of Islamic studies at American University, relates his experience in 2008 and 2009 traveling the country talking to American Muslims about their experiences and attitudes regarding their American Identity.  In talking to people in 75 communities and some 100 mosques he found a diverse Muslim population comprised of African Americans, Middle Eastern and South Asian immigrants and white converts to Islam.  While he found evidence of anger and extremism he also talked to many American Muslims who have found a satisfying and successful life here, including some who told him that America is “the best place in the world to be a Muslim”.

Professor Ahmed also notes that although many American critics of Islam believe radicalism is based in religious beliefs or teachings, he found radicalized American Muslims are more often motivated by their anger at American foreign policy.  Our interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially when they result in violence toward women and children, fuel their anger.  He also fears that if these hearings go badly that Muslims around the world who will be following the hearings will feel even more anger and frustration with America which could harm our interests and result in even more danger to our troops.

Professor Ahmed calls on the Muslim community to more fully embrace their American identity, culture and history.  At the same time he urges non-Muslim Americans to make the effort to learn about the Muslim religion and culture and to honor our ideals of religious freedom and tolerance.  He calls for a “civil and respectful” discussion at these hearings. He suggests that Representative King invite respected, credible social and religious leaders from the Muslim community to testify at the hearings while lamenting some of the witnesses that have been chosen. 

I think Professor Ahmed strikes an optimistic tone in his column and is even handed in his call for both sides to make an effort to learn about each other and the values we share.  Islam is the second largest religion in the world and over 1400 years old.  As the anger and suspicion against American Muslims has been escalating over the past couple of years the rhetoric has been venomous and ugly.  Americans are appallingly ignorant of Islam and the religious ideals Judaism and Christianity have in common with it.  Although I fear these hearings will further inflame tensions, I hope Professor Ahmed’s responsible and optimistic approach proves to be true and a beginning of a new understanding between us.