MPAC/ISPI Conference
Tackles "American Muslim Identity"
Washington, DC: Last weekend, over 120
people joined the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the
International Strategy and Policy Institute for a day-long
conference entitled "American Muslim Identity: Present
and Future" in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Sulayman Nyang, professor of African Studies at Howard
University and author of "Islam in the United States",
compared the historical experiences and development of the
American and European Muslim communities. In his keynote
speech, Nyang described how many immigrant Muslims have
relinquished “the myth of return” and are increasingly
taking ownership and pride in their rights and responsibilities
as Americans. He called on American Muslims to embody Islam’s
emphasis on social justice as a method of bridge building
with their fellow Americans.
Dr. Inamul Haq, Professor at the East-West University (Chicago)
and Benedictine University (Lisle, IL), and MPAC Senior
Advisor Dr. Maher Hathout defined the decades-old notion
of an American Muslim identity. Hathout described the Muslim
American Identity as rooted in the notion that there is
neither dissonance nor friction between Quranic and Constitutional
ideals.
"For any American, the 'American identity' is a constitutional
identity not an ethnic identity," Hathout said. "We
are Americans because we believe in the Constitution and
the Bill of Rights just as we are Muslims because we believe
in God and the Qur’an as the word of God to man. The
synergy between our Muslim identity and American identity
can revive our dynamic understanding of Islam and, at the
same time, contribute positively to America's pluralism."
During a session which considered the "Muslim American
Identity on Campus", MPAC Communications Director Edina
Lekovic and National Director Ahmed Younis discussed the
need for young Muslims to counter the isolation imposed
on them alternately by their community and society by acting
as catalysts for change. They also discussed the emergence
of the Muslim American Project, initiated by American Muslim
college students from nearly two dozen universities who
aim to develop a collective identity for young American
Muslims and empower them to become leaders for their future.
SEE: "Feeling Pressure: Muslim Americans Discuss Their
Struggles" (Daily Herald, 11/21/05)
http://www.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=123611
In a session which discussed how to develop effective political
engagement, MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati, CAIR-Chicago
Communications Director Ahmed Rehab, and attorney Faiyaz
Husain stressed the importance of political and civic participation
in creating in-roads that can stimulate the integration
of American Muslims as a contributing element within the
nation.
All proceedings of the conference were available as audio
files at www.mpac.org on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
MPAC will address the progress of Muslims in establishing
a contributing role within American pluralism during its
fifth annual national convention on December 17, 2005. The
day-long event, which is expected is draw over 2,000, will
focus on “Examining Our Role in America.” For
more information or to register for MPAC’s Convention,
visit www.mpac.org.
[CONTACT: Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443, communications@mpac.org]
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