Future of American Muslims

By Asif Nadeem Fraz

 

Last month in July 2009, Rick Warren, a popular evangelical Christian pastor was the keynote speaker at the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) conference. Pastor Warren’s speech was welcomed by many American Muslim organizations, leaders and community members. This is because the expression of friendship by such a leader in a conference attended by 45,000 Muslims was first of its kind in America. His speech was perceived by American Muslims as a positive step in helping to bridge any misunderstandings between Muslims and Christians of America.

There are some key questions that arise regarding the status of Muslims in America in the nearing future.

1) Are American Muslims any closer to Islam and their mosques today than before?

2) Are the outreach efforts and tactics of Muslims making a difference in clarifying the message of Islam?

3) Does the Muslim leadership have a strategic vision to improve the relationship with the US government that is constantly being viewed by many American Muslims as challenging or are the efforts of American Muslims merely reactive and stop-gap in nature?

4) Are the Islamic centers, mosques, masajids, etc. organized well enough to attract Muslims and non-Muslims alike for transparent dissemination of the message of Islam?

5) Who are the Imams and leaders who American Muslims have put on the podiums and how effective have they been in uniting their local communities?

6) And finally, what specifically is being done to get Muslims involved in the democratic process of America to be able for them to make their voices heard?

Following answers has been wroked out for a respectable status of Muslims-

1. Get American Muslims back in Mosques

2. Re-introduce Islam to America

3. Work and Improve Relationship with the Government

4. Reorganize Muslims through well governed Masjids and Islamic Institutions

5. Bring Forward the Right Imams and Muslim Leaders

6. Get Muslims engaged in the democratic process

The whole article can be read at IqraSense.com by clicking at

“Formulating a Vision for Muslim America”