Culture & Religion: Fusion or Confusion?

By Dilara Hafiz

America has often been referred to as a ‘melting pot’, however, more recently the media seems to prefer the term ‘salad bowl’. A ‘salad bowl’ implies a mixture of strong, individual flavors which somehow blend harmoniously together into a successful end result. How appropriate is this analogy when applied to the American Muslim community which itself is made up of people from different cultures, ethnicities, and varying Islamic practices? More importantly, how do American Muslims define themselves – by their culture, their religion, or a blend of both identities?

Numbers vary as to the precise total of American Muslims, but estimates range from 7-10 million members of this diverse community. Many American Muslims are second or even third generation US citizens, although their ancestors may hail from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, or Africa. While religion may be the factor which unites this multi-hued community, ignorance about differing cultural practices can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, or even ostracism. Nowhere is this dichotomy more evident than at mosque functions, be they Friday prayers, Eid picnics, or weekend Islamic school. Only when American Muslims reexamine their age-old customs in an enlightened manner will Islam in America become a truly universally welcoming religion. That is not to say that cultural practices such as ‘Bismillah’ ceremonies, Chand Raat festivities, or ‘Akikah’ celebrations have no place in one’s social gatherings, but it is imperative that a distinction is made between Old World customs and the principles of Islam.

In traditional patriarchal Muslim societies, men often assume the dominant role outside the home. Women may rarely step foot inside a mosque, even though they may hold jobs in a professional setting. In America, however, increasing numbers of Muslim women choose to attend prayers and assume board positions at mosques across the country. Historically, women played a vital role in the early community of Muslims in Medina at the time of Prophet Muhammad, so there is certainly a precedent for women’s involvement in the religious sphere. But unfortunately a vocal minority are either unaware or choose to ignore the equally valuable contributions women are making throughout the Muslim world. Differences in dress or manner of speech should not lead to judgementalism at the mosque or in the workplace – the standards of modesty may differ from person to person. Muslims should strive to see beyond the surface whenever possible, for a person’s intentions remain invisible to all except God. Similarily, children should be encouraged to learn about their religion in an open-minded, inquisitive manner in accordance with their studies in mainstream public and private schools. While generations past may have emphasized rote memorization of the Quran, in today’s internet society, children also need the tools to understand and explain their religion to others.

Women are accorded a position of honor and respect in Islam – Muslim countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh have even had women prime ministers. However, the status of women across the world leaves much to be desired in terms of equal pay, equal division of labor within the household, and equal respect as a marriage partner. These inequalities often are no reflection upon religion, but based upon socio-economic hardships and lack of education. In addition, people from culturally conservative societies usually resist what they view as ‘Westernization’ when they arrive in America by clinging even more firmly to their cultural norms, even if they have little basis in Islam. Should women shake hands with men? Can teenagers attend school dances? Is McDonalds halal or haram? There may not be easy answers to these questions, but educating oneself about Islam is the first step in the process. The diversity which exists in the community of American Muslims requires patience and understanding of each individual who counts himself as a member of this growing minority. Only when Islam is practiced according to the guidelines of the Quran will it gain the respect it deserves in the US.

Dilara Hafiz co-author of The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook By Dilara Hafiz, Imran Hafiz & Yasmine Hafiz