Muslims & US Muslims: What's the Fuss?
As the Presidential primaries descend upon South Carolina, hawkish POTUS hopefuls are using popular media-driven stereotypes of foreign and US Muslims to conflate issues of national security with the religious aspects of Islam. Given the recent flurry of ISIS related news reports, the double-edged benefits of completing a PhD dissertation on that very subject is the volume of multi-sided opinions I receive (solicited or otherwise) on a daily basis. Whether it be a fellow student, colleague, a delivery person, Uber driver, Menulogger, keyboard activist or completely random individual who unwittingly picks up sprinkles of conversation in your favourite hookah bar, the ISIS conversation is bound to happen one way or another. Living in Melbourne (the most liveable city in the world) also comes with its own advantages, providing a culture of diversity, openness and general mutual respect for individuals to pursue their own goals and interests.
With this in mind, I have had some great conversations with Muslims (including US Muslims) from all around the world, whether they be international students or Australian Muslims, who have settled in Australia and proudly call Australia their home. When asked about what I do, the subject will inevitably turn to the Islamic State (ISIS / ISIL / Dash) with a response of revulsion and condemnation of the group – some going so far as to mirror the ‘un-American’ label, citing Daesh as an ‘un-Muslim’, ‘un-Islamic’ and ‘unholy’ abomination.
The World’s Muslims
What I have found to be a common thread throughout conversations with Australian Muslims and Muslims who have come to Australia for study and work, is the overwhelming majority seek to worship without imposition on others. Notably, some have admitted to actively proselytising as a religious duty – albeit in a manner far less confrontational and coercive than conservative Christian groups on university campuses, here in Australia and abroad in the United States. The commonalities among Muslims, including some whom I consider my friends, is a heavy emphasis on personal and private worship, without being openly hostile or oppositional to their adopted or temporary residential nation-state of Australia.
As a comparison, the Archbishop of Melbourne was more than willing to express his religious views in vehement opposition to proposed same-sex marriage legislation. In the form of 80,000 letters sent out by six Victorian based bishops, Archbishop Dennis Hart stated, “The Church firmly believes that marriage is founded on the wonderful fact of sexual difference and its potential for new life. Without this there would be no human beings and no future.” In essence, the Catholic Church in Melbourne sent 80,000 letters to urge opposition to seam-sex marriage on the basis that it would result in the destruction and collapse of modern society.
The lack of intimidatory or coercive proselytisation and politicisation of Islam by the majority of Muslims in the West does not, however, automatically equate to the complete acceptance and integration of Western values. Muslims are generally more conservative than the (worldwide) norm, and at the time writing, there is no Islamic sect which allows for women Imams, openly Queer-identifyingl worshippers or accomodations for same-sex Muslim marriages. This differs greatly from other mainline religions which have significant elements working actively to promote social equality. The Global Divide on Homosexuality is extremely telling as Muslim majority states poll well above 90% in societal refusal to accept homosexuality, while European, North American, Oceanic and Latin American regions poll between 30%t o 88% acceptance.
“Many across the predominantly Muslim countries surveyed want Islam to have a major influence in politics.” – Pew Global
In South Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South-Eastern Europe, Muslims polled want Sharia to replace the official law of the land, with severe corporal punishments for criminals and executions for those who leave Islam. Those surveyed also believe that theism is necessary for morality. On women’s rights, the Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian regions are most conservative with 33% and 32% of those polled affirming a woman’s right to divorce. In Muslim majority states, at least 3/4 of all Muslims responded that a wife must always obey her husband. And among those who favour Sharia law, support for honour killings range from 30%-70% Despite the inclusion of Christian (and Jewish) theology in Islam and the view that Jesus Christ (and Moses) were a prophets, few Muslims know about Christian beliefs and practices, ranging from 17% to as low as 6%.
US Muslims
US Muslims are far more multicultural and embracing of diversity than their Muslim-majority country counterparts. 52% of American Muslims have friends who are not Muslim. This is compared to the global median of 5%. A majority of American Muslims believe that multiple religions can lead to eternal life – this view is shared by most americans including two-thirds of American Christians. Globally, the same trend applies as just 18% of Muslims worldwide think that non-Muslim faiths can lead to heaven. 37% of American Muslims say that there is some conflict between religion and modern life, yet this number is low compared to the global median of 46%. Muslim Americans overwhelmingly (86%) believe that violence against civilians is not justified in defence of Islam.
The most important take-away from this article is understanding the magnanimous differences between loyal American Muslims and Muslims from high-conflict, Muslim majority and developing world countries. With the revelations about domestic spying and surveillance broken by Edward Snowden in The Guardian, perhaps what the United States needs now more than ever is a reminder of the cohesion and unity that has and hopefully will continue to make it one of the best countries in the Free World – billionaire Presidential hopefuls notwithstanding. US Muslims are just as American as any other American, whether agnostic or Bhuddist, Jewish or Christian, black or white, Hispanic or European. The best thing that the United States can do to provide a safe and secure space for all its peoples is to let US Muslims be US Muslims.
To contact the author, email Alex Chung at chung.a@students.latrobe.edu.au. Alex is a PhD Candidate at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia and has been involved in politics since 2010.
