Celebrating July 4th with Rick Warren and 45,000 Muslims

This 4th of July I celebrated America's Independence with Pastor Rick Warren, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and 45,000 Muslims. We were together in Washington, D.C. as a part of the Islamic Society of North America's (ISNA) annual convention. The Washington Convention Center came alive with halal food stands, people praying on the carpets, and entire families in their colorful regional Islamic dress--all a stone's throw away from the 4th of July fireworks spectacular going on at the National Mall.

The convention's theme "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" was a call for pluralism and bridge-building between different faith communities in the US, symbolized by ISNA's selection of perhaps America's top Christian leader as the keynote speaker. In his speech in a cavernous hall Warren appealed for Muslims and Christians to work together to solve common problems which he said was possible without "compromising my convictions or your convictions."

Warren's presence wasn't the only thing contributing to the evangelical-like atmosphere of the assembly hall. The sound system, giant video screens, and slick mass production values recalled America's Protestant mega-Churches. Warren's presence created a lot of interest but the real buzz among the convention crowd was reserved for superstar converts to Islam like Sheikh Hamza Yusuf--perhaps Warren's equivalent in the American Muslim community--and Yusuf Islam.

I was at ISNA for the premiere of a film I made with Ambassador Akbar Ahmed of American University and a team of young Americans called Journey into America. The film depicts a nine month journey we took to over seventy five cities and one hundred mosques to study how Muslims were fitting into American society and to promote better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Our film was featured as the special event at the Islamic Film Festival.

As I walked around with Ambassador Ahmed many people embraced and greeted him with the traditional Arabic greeting salamalekum, which means "peace be upon you." This warmth was immediately extended to me when they saw us together. Even when I was alone and people asked who I was all I had to say was that I was with Ambassador Ahmed and doors would open. I felt very privileged as a young American to have access to a community that so many of my countrymen know so little about. That is why Ambassador Ahmed called our team the "best Ambassadors for America to the Muslim world" when he introduced the film.

Our film's world premiere went very well. The theater was packed to capacity and we had to turn over 400 people away at the door. I had been tense for the last few weeks worrying how the audience would respond to the film, but everyone was enthusiastic, laughing and expressing shock at all the right parts. It was great to have some of the stars of the film that we had interviewed across the country and well as our team's parents and friends lending their support.

On the panel afterward were ISNA's president Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Imam Mohamed Magid of the Northern Virginia ADAMS center, Rabbi Bruce Lustig of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, Al Jazeera's Riz Khan, and Ambassador Ahmed.

All the panelists praised the film as an important step to improving relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in the US. Riz Khan had already interviewed the entire team on Al Jazeera and was so enthusiastic he said he wished to show it as a three part series on his network. Both Dr. Matteson and Rabbi Lustig complimented the producer on the originality of the concept and the technique and invited the film to be shown under the auspices of their respective organizations. They said it should be compulsory viewing for every American wishing to understand Muslims, and vice versa. Imam Magid praised one scene in the film in particular where we visit a statue of Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia containing a tablet which reads "Religious Freedom, 1786 - God, Jehovah, Brahma, Atma, Ra, Allah." The fact that Jefferson had included "Allah" surprised the imam and reinforced the convention's theme of American pluralism and interfaith dialogue.

Yet despite the inclusive theme, our movie event was the only place where I saw non-Muslims. I had even accompanied Ambassador Ahmed to the highest gathering of the VIP delegates and there was not a single non-Muslim there apart for me and members of our team. I am unsure if this was due to ISNA's failure to make a serious attempt to bring mainstream America to their 4th of July convention or of Americans' disinterest or hostility to Islam. Despite Warren's star power, for example, there was not one mainstream American media outlet at the opening press conference. This meant that both Muslims and non-Muslims missed a golden opportunity to talk and interact with each other in the nation's capital.

The goal of our film and the work we've been doing at American University is to improve dialogue and communication between ethnic and religious groups in the US, which is what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they created this country 233 years ago. Witnessing the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims even at a major Washington, D.C. convention dedicated to pluralism means we still have much work to do.

Comments

[lowlycitizen]

All, this is a sincere question. I do not know enough about the Muslim faith and its view on being gay. if you could please enlighten me (civil manner, please!), I would be very appreciative of the education.

[habdul]

Interesting, positive article. I (a Muslim) was at the ISNA convention and tried to see Martin's movie, but my family dragged me to the fireworks! Unfortunately, I was among the people who were not allowed in because the room filled up. I was hoping that there would be a rerun the next day, but there was not. Anyways, My Dad (who managed to see the movie) said it was GREAT.

Anyhow, I wanted to comment on one thing: Martin was saying that there were very few non-Muslims at the convention. --However, ISNA is meant for a Muslim audience. Non-Muslims are absolutely welcome to come, but, again, they are not the primary audience. It's like complaining that there weren't enough non-Muslims at a mosque. Sure, I know plenty of Muslims (including myself) who are very open to allowing other faith groups to pray, talk, or gather in our mosques; all the same, the primary focus is towards Muslims. --Also, how does Martin know who is and who is not Muslim--did he ask all the audience members watching his movie?

I just wanted to put that out there. While there may be a stronger need for interfaith dialogue (I have done various interfaith activities myself, which are quite rewarding), the general absence of non-Muslims at the ISNA convention has an insignificant correlation to that issue.

[LMPE]

Rick Warren actually wants to associate with Muslims?!! Mark this day.

[fomor]

Yes, the U.S. media rarely covers anything about Muslims in a positive light, but has anyone thought that perhaps there was a simpler answer to why there were few white Americans at the movie screening or the event? IT WAS HELD AT 9 p.m. ON THE 4TH OF JULY. The theme of the conference may have been pluralism and American identity, but part of American identity is celebrating our nation on July 4 by having BBQs, relaxing, and watching fireworks--which usually start around 9 p.m. It's disingenuous to come to the conclusion that "Witnessing the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims even at a major Washington, D.C. convention dedicated to pluralism means we still have much work to do." The columnist chose to ignore the significance of the holiday to benefit a thesis that he had obviously pre-determined. I agree that much work is left to do, but this event was not an example. I would also pose the question, if a white American (Catholic, Protestant) group hosted a conference--with the theme of pluralism--on Ramadan, would any Muslims show up?

[alexa07]

Did you read the article? Frankie Martin said, "Yet despite the inclusive theme, our movie event was the only place where I saw non-Muslims." The movie was attended by one & all, including non-Muslims & they had to turn away "four hundred people." His main beef was that the American mainstream media did not show up or cover the event. News is covered on the 4th of July, as it is on any other holiday. Instead of accusing the author of having "pre-determined" axes to grind, I think you do. The American Muslim community is represents one of the fastest growing religions in America (if not the fastest), & it merits better coverage in our media. Al Jazerra English is providing a window about American Muslims to the rest of the world, literally the millions of people all around the world who tune in to their 24 hr. news channel. I'm glad Riz Khan, a journalist of the highest caliber, will be showcasing "Journey into America" on AJE. Any American can test the waters himself or herself by watching AJE online or during the one hour of global news (includes Mosaic) on American satellite Link TV. Guaranteed to dwarf CNN by a longshot.

[fomor]

I did read the article. And I read the sentences immediately following what you quoted: "... gathering of the VIP delegates and there was not a single non-Muslim there apart for(sic) me and members of our team. I am unsure if this was due to ISNA's failure to make a serious attempt to bring mainstream America to their 4TH OF JULY CONVENTION or of Americans' disinterest or hostility to Islam." Clearly, his gripe isn't just with the media. And again, the fact that it was on the 4th of July was brushed over as a possible reason. I find it ironic that the theme of the conference is American identity and pluralism. Muslims are Americans just like any other group. They deserve every right that any non-Muslim American has, and they should not be discriminated against. But I have to ask, did they have no interest in the 4th of July festivities? As I said before, there are plenty of reasons to come to the conclusion that more work needs to be done to create bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims, but not attending a 4th of July conference -- whether we're talking about the media or the public -- is not one.

[GZLives]

al Jazeera?
Americans already recognize it for what it is

"One of the most prolific Arab scholars and columnists, Mamoun Fandy, wrote in the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat about the movement's relationship with Al-Jazeera on January 22. "The Muslim Brotherhood has at its disposal media that transcends borders, from newspapers to satellite channels, which have taken over the minds of millions … throughout the entire Arab world," he wrote.

Calling Al-Jazeera "the Muslim Brotherhood channel," Mr. Fandy discussed the network's activity in the Middle East. "Al-Jazeera … is already propagandizing for the organization. … If you watch a debate program presented on Al-Jazeera … you will be amazed at the supreme effort … to defend the Muslim Brotherhood."

[ShaistaC]

@ GZLives: Are you speaking for all Americans?
Al Jazeera is great. For people all around the world it is a counter-balancing force to the sometimes biased Western news stations. As an African I appreciate the focus given to events in developing countries and the fact that World news, actually is World news.

Overall, I think this event sounds wonderful and it is sad, but predictable that it was not covered in mainstream news outlets. Keep on building on the pluralism in society and looking at the positives instead of simply the negatives of the muslim community.

[longtimegone]

Any news outlet which the Bush administration tried to bomb out of existence must have something going for it.

[alexa07]

"Despite Warren's star power, for example, there was not one mainstream American media outlet at the opening press conference."
I am not surprised at the lack of interest from the American media at the Islamic Society's annual convention. They are only interested in covering Muslims in the same old, predictable fashion. That's really too bad, but more Americans are beginning to discover exactly how irrelevant the MSM is when they start to view Al Jazeera English. Better, indepth international coverage, of course, but also better coverage of what is actually happening here in the USA. It's ironic that their international viewers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa & So. America will know more about Muslims in the USA than viewers of CNN, ABC & the rest.