Ramadan 2009: America and Islam

I had the distinct honor of being invited to address this year's Iftar dinner at the Pentagon, together with Ms. Farah Pandith, the State Department's Special Representative to Muslim Communities and Ms. Dalia Mogahed, of the Gallup Corporation. In attendance were over 125 American Muslims, members of every branch of the US military, and their guests from the White House, Congress and other government agencies.

The evening provided an opportunity for reflection on the changes that are occurring among American Muslims and in the US' relationship with Islam.

When I first came to this city, over 30 years ago, there were no Iftars, nor was there any formal recognition of Ramadan or the Eids by anyone, anywhere. I can recall going to the Reagan White House to propose a Presidential Eid message and being asked to write it. And then reminding them each year after that. The practice was broadened and institutionalized during the Clinton years, with President Bush adding an Iftar dinner, which he hosted each year of his presidency.

At this point, there are Iftars all over this city--the White House, State Department, Congress, National Security Agency, and more.

A primary factor accounting for this change and the growing recognition being given to Ramadan, is the presence and vitality of a growing Muslim community. There are thousands of Muslims serving in the US military and hundreds serving in every branch and agency of the US Government. It is not just that the US is heavily engaged in the Muslim World, it is that America's Muslim community is no longer invisible. Their presence, hard work and contributions to our country are being recognized. And with that, their faith is being appreciated. A tribute to American Muslims, yes--but also a tribute to the capacity of America to grow and change.

In many ways, this is a unique country. One of our most enduring qualities is our openness and the absorptive character of our national identity. Despite the persistent rantings of some bigots, no one religion, ethnicity or culture defines us or limits who can be one of us.

America possesses an alchemy, of sorts, with its remarkable capacity to transform people and itself. With citizenship you get more than a passport and the right to vote--you become American. And that is not all, because, in the process, America becomes changed. As each new wave of immigrants has come to our shores and become Americans, the very character and definition of the country and its culture has changed. Look at our food, listen to our music, see our style--in all of these are the threads woven from the many diverse peoples who have come to make up the rich and diverse nature of America today.

It is a lesson, some are slow to learn, but learn it they must, and learn it they do. Twenty-four years ago, for example, I was called to Dearborn Michigan, where the leading candidate for mayor in that year's election had just sent out a mailing to every household in the city. Blazoned across the front page were the words "The Arab Problem"--which he went on to describe as the danger posed by a large influx of Arab immigrants flooding the city, who don't share "our darn good way of life."

As that community grew and prospered and changed, the city and mayor changed, as well. Years later, I went to Dearborn to receive, from that same mayor, the official "masbaha" of the city of Dearborn. He opened the ceremony with greetings in Arabic, quoted the Qur'an and then spoke of the contributions Arab Americans had made to his city. (Note: in this year's Dearborn elections, five of the fourteen candidates for city council are Arab Americans!)

On another occasion, I was called to Michigan to deal with a crisis that had erupted in the schools during Ramadan. Muslim children who wanted to fast had asked to have a study period during lunchtime. Instead, they were made to sit in a corner of the cafeteria. Other children began to taunt them, some threw food at them. Fights broke out and some of the Muslim children had been suspended.

When I met with the Arab American children and their parents, one 14 year old girl told me that she had spoken with the principal and suggested a solution. The problem, she said, was that the non-Muslim children "don't understand our culture. Maybe we can help them learn about us." To which the principal responded "our job is to teach you our culture, not to learn your culture".

That 14 year old Yemeni American girl was right and her principal was dead wrong.

When America is at its best, it is growing, learning, changing and becoming more diverse and better.

And so, as I looked out at the Pentagon audience of young men and women, dressed in the uniform of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and saw the pride their commanding officers had in them, and heard the stories of their service and valor, I thought of that 14-year-old Michigan Muslim girl (who, incidentally, is now a grown woman teaching US military personnel about Arabs and Islam)--and of the America that is embracing Muslims, transforming itself and becoming new. And I was proud.

Comments

[JustAnotherScreenname]

Dear Mr. Zogby,

As usual, your post here is insightful. I do take issue with the school children anecdote you mentioned, and I'm saying this as a Muslim American: frankly, I don't want our people (or any other immigrant nationality) to grow up thinking that we need to keep "our culture". We need to assimilate. Muslim Americans have so far had a pretty good run as a society, with low crime rates, high educational achievement, mostly middle class status, etc. The last thing we need is to emulate the Muslims in European countries and pretend that our culture is somehow superior to the host culture. That's why I'm also against ethnic groups congregating in the same places. If you're a Muslim going to an American school where most of the students are also Muslim, chances are you're missing out on the American Experience prevalent in other public schools. And I say this for all ethnic groups, not just Muslim ones.

Otherwise, great article.

[Ifti]

The demand for Muslim schools comes from parents who want their children a safe environment with an Islamic ethos.Pare­nts see Muslim schools where children can develop their Islamic Identity where they won't feel stigmatised for being Muslims and they can feel confident about their faith.
Muslim schools are working to try to create a bridge between communities.

There is a belief among ethnic minority parens that the British schooling does not adequatly address their cultural needs. Failing to meet this need could result in feeling resentment among a group who already feel excluded. Setting up Muslim school is a defensive response.

State schools with monolingual teachers are not capable to teach English to bilingual Muslim children. Bilingual teachers are needed to teach English to such children along with their mother tongue. According to a number of studies, a child will not learn a second language if his first language is ignored.

[flakca]

I don't worship "culture". It is just an idea someone came up with to distinguish between groups of people. There is no such thing as culture, therefore this entire dialog is based on nothing. All that matters is doing the right thing for the right reason. When groups of people hold the same ideals or misconceptions and act on those ideas, are they less guilty than if they had acted as independent thinkers? Lying is wrong. Killing is wrong. Stealing is wrong. Lets get down to the basics. The generalists seek to put down acts based on prejudicial logic, while simultaneously promoting the notion that it is okay for the purposes of "theory" to group people into outwardly similar categories. They are self-defeating and will never obtain that which they seek, as they are fighting themselves. There are good Samaritans and evil Samaritans. There are Moslems that do evil and Moslems that do good. Each should stand on the merits of their own actions. There are Christians that do evil and Christians that do good, each should stand on the merits of their own actions. End of story. If a leader of any group promotes the violent over-throw of a lawfully elected government, then their penalty should be severe and swift, so that others do not follow their example. If Pakistan had followed that example then we would not be in this fix. However, that shoe also fits feet here in the land of the free.

[mazaza]

Culture is shared assumptions, values, symbols. Books, songs, ways of maintaining family ties, of considering sex, work, etc, etc....

[marley22]

"There is no such thing as culture"?

Part 1

Only if you reject the concept of the nation state and favor a complete open borders policy. Culture comes as a result of multiple generations within a country developing customs, values, morals, etc. And remember, the ethnic makeup of any country is not a naturally occuring thing, like evolution. It is the direct result of decisions by it's government (guided, of course, by whatever special interests are around). So culture is specifically driven by immigration policy, i.e. countries with a strong, developed culture got that way through their government's immigration policy. Muslim Americans brought their culture here from a country that had very specific policies toward its borders. The same goes for any groups of peoples coming here. There is no other way.

[marley22]

Part 2

America is a young country, as countries go, and was in the process of developing a culture; I'm not talking about what Hollywood and Madison Avenue has projected to the world since the 1900's. It was, of course, an amalgamation of customs, values, morals, etc., brought from its immigrants' native lands. But this was when we had our immigration policy under control (instead of us being controlled by our immigration policy).

Since the '60s though, resulting from the Immigration Act of 1965 and related policy, this has been officially wiped out, essentially by decree. In the name of the religion of diversity, we have wiped the slate of American Culture, save for the exception of African American Culture (as African Americans can trace their American roots back further than most European Americans).

I can't say that we will ever have a specific 'American Culture' in the future. It will depend on whether we can get our immigration back under control.

[Lutfi]

Thank you Mr. Zogby, for the article I think we still have a long way to go for the understanding not only of the Middle East culture and religion, but the culture of others and some how we forget that we are all human being and some how no one is better than anyone even if you disagree with them politically , I think if we do that somehow our difference would not be as noticeable. unless we cannot overcome our hatred, then we should ask our self what would the profit Jesus would do.

[violettefemme]

My previous comment was poorly stated and misunderstood, I try again.

My Zogby is wrong, and the principal is right.

It is incumbent upon newcomers to learn the place/culture they chose to live; to learn American culture.

America is NOT Hollywood. The fact that people all over the world know about High School Musical does not mean that they understand Americans.

American culture is Thanksgiving. It's the way we enjoy Halloween. It's the way my daughter knows how to play jacks, just like I did at her age.

It's biscuits, gingham, flannel plaid in winter, Yankee Doodle.. It's MUCH more than Hollywood/­iTunes/mat­erialism.

It IS incumbent upon newcomers to learn it.

I say this as a lifelong anthropolo­gy/sociolo­gy student who lives in San Diego with Mexican neighbors who run garage sales every Thanksgiving Day. To be HONEST that offends me. Deeply. Yet they do it every year. That my friends, is blatantly offensive.

Now, it is the openminded­/intellige­nt/RIGHT thing to do, as far as Americans knowing more about all cultures, the girl's culture, I never said otherwise, but it's NOT incumbent upon Americans to learn/teach it.

If I move to France, should I whine because I can't find a hotdog on July 4th? NO, I would expect to enjoy my croissant and live IN the culture I CHOSE freely.

I don't care if the cheap, overly commercialized Hollywood is everywhere, that is NOT US culture, that's a sham, and part of the problem.

[mazaza]

I think you have to make the difference between culture and politics. Yard sales on Thanksgiving is culture. Separation of men and women say, in public swimming pools, is politics.
The truth is, even with a dominant culture, not all people belonging to that dominant culture put the same value on various cultural practices.
My own sentiment about cultural differences is that it is interesting and fun to take this or that from different cultures but I often won't be bothered to learn that much about different cultures because .... my brain won't handle all that much information and my days are already pretty busy. There is only so much you can handle and that is true for everyone (including the people from minority cultures who can handle only so much about other minority cultures). There are also other cultures I am spontaneously attracted to and others, a lot less. It has to do with the kind of humor people have, how they tend to express themselves, values put on family, etc...
It is a very complex matter for a society to decide what will constitue the "common trunk" of the shared culture and what is left to individuals to enjoy as culture pretty much in the privacy of their homes and communities.

[longtimegone]

Yankee Doodle Dandy?! Excuse me, Maam, but are you caught in a time warp? What am I to do: born and raised in America, in the Midwest, no less; I've never particularly cottoned to Halloween or the 4th of July, regard Thanksgiving as the celebration of the Pilgrims' rescue by compassionate Natives whom they would subsequently slaughter, and have always shunned the cliched trappings of pseudo-patriotism. What's more, I've been a Muslim for thirty years, observing the month of Ramadan as we speak. Would you send me to a reindoctrination camp until I come out red, white and blue enough for you? Is it incumbent upon me to change in order to fit your notion of what it is to be an American? Is that your America? I love the diversity of cultures in America; I believe that is America at its best, the freedom for all cultures to coalesce and coexist within a single nation; it is, perhaps, what we do better than any nation in the world. I'm not willing to see that destroyed to suit your narrow definition of America. Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Italy were once regarded with the same hostile suspicion as Muslims today; for daring to practice a different religion, in a nation founded to ensure freedom of religion. America seems to be characterized by perpetual change; that may result in more Americans observing Ramadan, and more Thanksgiving garage sales.

[mazaza]

One major reason I see to paying attention to Ramadan and making buddies with a Muslim family is the terrific food they make. If you are nice and friendly, you'll get a ring at your door bell and it will be from the family next door delivering a plate of those yummy cakes.
By the way, in France, a lot of younger Muslims who are lip-service believers do the Ramadan as a cultural thing and an occasion to share moments with family and enjoy specially made, delicious food.

[freemind1234]

America has a long loong loooooong way to go. Supposedly Huffpo commenters represent a more diverse tolerant America. But some of the comments are not so understanding. You should let kids learn about the world and its different people. Learn try appreciate different foods and culture. I am as American as they come with a father who was a Marine. I blame our educational systems and parents who have a bunker mentality. The kids whose parents have a bunker mentality are in for a tough time. They will grow in an America which is more diverse more competitive and more inter-connected to the rest of the world. I plan to learn Chinese. It will help me with my job. My collegue speaks Arabic. Thats the way we are going.

[alexa07]

You are smart. The bunker mentality is a ticket to nowhere in the 21st century.

[alexa07]

"In many ways, this is a unique country. One of our most enduring qualities is our openness and the absorptive character of our national identity. Despite the persistent rantings of some bigots, no one religion, ethnicity or culture defines us or limits who can be one of us."

I agree 100% with your description of the strength of the American character in that "no one" particular religion or ethnicity or culture "defines" or "limits who can be one of us." Arab Americans of all religions & Muslims of all ethnicites have become an important part of the American identity. Thank you for the best article I have read about this topic. It has not been easy. The corporate media has not caught up with the new realities; it is still pushing the same old stereotypes, burying the good news & accentuating the negatives, but there is much less traction out in the real world where we everyday interact with American Muslims & Arab Americans in our neighborhoods, schools, universities, hospitals. Thank you for all the work you have done to educate the public.

[TLV]

When I was growing up, the Jehovas were treated with the utmost respect and the children allowed to be excluded from class parties and sent home or allowed to spend the time in quiet study or whatever they chose. Why is respecting the practices of Islam any different? The adults who allowed children to throw food on the Muslim kids should have been fired on the spot. The principal as well.

[abdallac]

And honestly this is the Number 1 complaint of people from all over the world - that Americans never want to know anything, that we don't want to learn anything. They think we are a very dangerous combination of strength and ignorance.

[TLV]

In many cases, you are right. I happen to live in a small pocket of "liberalism" smack dab in the middle of hick country. The reason people tend to be more intelligent and open to the reality of other cultures and religions and ways of life is because we are home to a large state university. People from all over the world come here to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere, the welcoming attitude, and the opportunity to share of themselves. Our public schools are so multi-cultural and multi-racial, the Middle School is having trouble finding all of the flags to represent all of the countries from which the students come! Much of the rest of the country is not like my town and that's a damn shame.

[SadButWiser]

Not all of the Americans are like this. In fact a few are just like that. Most of the Americans that I know are nothing short of fantastic people with the most respect for other people culture. The US would not have become where it is it had not been for the fact that most Americans are very good people in many ways.

[charlietuna11]

it bothers me to say this but americans are the least curious people in the world. just look at fox, they have twice the viewers as cnn and msnbc. why?,because they know their base. they are totally certain they can make the most outrageous statements and lies knowing full well there viewers would never do the minimum research to check out the facts. fox viewers are like a hopeless cult. they never change the station unless its to check out the local weather forcast. fox viewers are one thousand percent certain everything they hear is true. there like the people who believe that jonah lived inside a whale.if its in the book, its true, if its on fox, its gospel.. fox is getting more influencial,. as long as they can continue to spread there hate and bigotry, our great, great grand children will never outlast racism and intolerance in our nation...

[abdallac]

It's interesting to me that many of these posts intimate that learning anything about anyone else is frivolous, does not belong in the schools. How ironic. These children will grow up and interact with all kinds of people who are D I F F E R E N T - and they will be I G N O R A N T of how many of those differences have many shared values - cultural values, moral values, human values.

I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, where I was the only dark skinned kid in my school, my mother looked white, my father looked black, my last name was Abdalla, we were Muslim - not so great in white, middle class America. I spent every Christmas and Easter at school on overload iwth the cards and decorations and feeling very much out of place - but I learned a lot about what people believed. And that is always, ALWAYS a good thing - knowledge.

[SadButWiser]

Mr. James Zogby, I think you know what is best about the USA more than many Americans. Your efforts are very much appreciated, not just by Muslims, but the good people of the world. Keep it up.

[demnaz]

I agree!

[violettefemme]

Mr Zogby, you are dead wrong about the principal being dead wrong. That girl is supposed to learn the culture here, it is optional if anyone here learns hers. It's NICE to learn about other cultures, but in no way do I want my kids' schools focusing on that.....m­y daughter does not even get taught american culture in school, it's pathetic. If anyone sings Yankee Doodle someone complains.

[SadButWiser]

Are you saying that you can only be American if you do away with your faith or culture? Why is it so bad to learn something about other people? Beside, I am quite sure the girl knows a lot about American culture. She lives in America after all. Remember, with the American media and entertainment, almost everyone in the world knows about the US culture. You will be surprised to know that programs such as High School Musical are even popular among Saudi girls who would probably never experience anything remotely similar to the way the characters of the film were living May be you should visit other countries and experience the wonderful world the rest of the world are living. Trust, you become a far better person, not only when you understand other people culture, but actually celebrate with them.

[morgus]

I agree with Violettefemme, this is America and the Arab Americans choose to live here, learn our culture period. True most Americans would be curious and learn their culture. I object to the practice that has become prevalent of denying Christianity. This is and always will be a permanent part of America and those that object, well we were here first, yes I am native American.

[Dnietz]

you can object all you want

i hope you are around still in 50 years (i hope i am). you will no longer recognize what you are calling america. the rate of immigration, legal and illegal, is undeniable. it cannot be stopped. it is impossible to stop.

all the estimates i have seen show that people of western european descent will be about 25% of the population in 50 years. hispanics will be more than 50% and other non-euros from all over the world will be the other 25%.

good luck keeping your dream alive.

i live in houston and already the entire east side of town is majority hispanic. the entire south side of town has every street a different flavor of asian. the population is growing so fast that they can't build houses fast enough even in this terrible economy.

[sheikhaa]

Re: Morgus
"this is America and the Arab Americans choose to live here"

This is a ridiculous statement and highly contradictory. Arab Americans don't choose to live in America, they are of America and they are from America. If there are any places they would "choose" to go to they would be Egypt, Saudi, Jordan and other such countries.

As far as American culture goes, if we can disregard the mediocrity dished out by the media conglomerates, then all one can really say is that it consists of a collection of cultures of different peoples and that these peoples live under the protection of the constitution and the bill of rights - which are the permanent foundations of America. Therefore, if there is anything that Arab -American and Muslim-American children SHOULD be taught about is about these documents and how they have impacted Americans of each stripe.

However, I agree with you that there is a tendency in contemporary America to "deny" Christianity. Muslims would be least likely to not recognize the place of Christianity in this country because even as we may disagree with it - we can't believe in it by definition - there are close associations between Islam and Christianity via the personality of Jesus who is beloved to us.

[demnaz]

Native American was here first, NOT Christianity!

[Dnietz]

the problem with your logic is that you think you get to define what is american and what is american culture.

unless you are speaking about native americans who were here for thousands of years before europeans came here.

since we broke that logic, then basically all bets are off. you can use whatever political or social power you have to protect your lifestyle. but so can the immigrants. they come here and they are willing to work harder for less and survive with less and grow. they will eventually thrive and succeed and influence our mixed national culture.

you have the right to fight whatever political or social fight you want. but what you don't have is a moral advantage or argument. you don't have a right to demand that other people change their culture. all you can do is have more kids, make more money, start more businesses, buy more land and buy more politicians.

good luck with that.

they only people that have a possible moral argument are the few native americans that are left.

[flacon]

I'm afraid I disagree. The principal was correct. People and their cultures should be respected but assimilation must be the goal. If second generation children are still following the "old way" in habits, clothing and thought, they are sure to fail in American society.

Our past shows us to be a welcoming culture but they have to make an effort.

[Dnietz]

well then western europeans that first came here hundreds of years ago should have assimilated into native american culture

[TLV]

Good point! When I run across people who say they are "from here," I ask, "Which tribe?"

[genofear]

Like our suburbs aren't already so homogenized you can't tell which state you're in? Culture makes life interesting.

[roudy]

The more Muslims there are in America, the worse it is, if you want to look at the result in European countries with the large immigrant Muslim populations. As a group they absolutely refuse to become a part of their new country, and in general cling to barbaric practices of the middle ages, particularly in regard to the treatment of their women.

While there are certainly enlightened and tolerant Muslims, they are in the minority among those who practice this religion. This is true in every Muslim country in the world, and is also true within countries with smaller Muslim populations. In fact within most Muslim countries, there is total intolerance if not complete hatred for other sects within the Muslim religion.

In essence, it is a religion of intolerance toward any non-Muslim, or Infidel as non-Muslims are known.

[demnaz]

I am not going to proclaim that I have a complete understanding of the Muslim faith but are you seriously trying to teach Mr. Zogby about his own faith? How absurd of you!
It is this lack of understanding that breeds fear and hate. I think we all could use a bit of education on all cultures that share this planet. Why must everyone bend to the will of the U.S. culture? Because this is America and they are coming here? Well, why didn’t the Europeans adopt the language and culture of the indigenous people that were already here then?
You want to talk about how intolerant Muslims are, Christians are far worse. There are some crazy Christians, should all Christians be judged my the actions of those people?

[demnaz]

I believe I need to make a correction: Apparently Mr. Zogby is not Muslim which only makes what he has to say more convincing. He is not advocating his own beliefs, he is suggesting that we learn about other people. It’s a good thing.
And also my bad typing: (judged “by”) not "my"