SHAPING FUTURE FOR SHAPING FUTURE FOR MUSLSIMS IN AMERICAMUSLSIMS IN AMERICA

MAJOR PROBLEMSMAJOR PROBLEMS

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

DIRECTIONS DIRECTIONS

Peace be upon you allPeace be upon you all

Surah Nisa 4:135Surah Nisa 4:135

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do. Acquainted with what you do.

Future of Muslims depends upon Future of Muslims depends upon the answers to these 7 questionsthe answers to these 7 questions

What is the major problem for Muslims?What is the major problem for Muslims? What is the most difficult challenge?What is the most difficult challenge? What is the paradigm of justice?What is the paradigm of justice? What are the principles of Justice?What are the principles of Justice? Justice in America and the Muslim World?Justice in America and the Muslim World? Recognize transcendent identity, move Recognize transcendent identity, move

from tolerance to acceptance of diversity.from tolerance to acceptance of diversity. How can Muslims shape their future in How can Muslims shape their future in

America?America?

1-Major Problem for Muslims1-Major Problem for Muslims

Growing misperception that Islam has Growing misperception that Islam has succeeded Communism as a global threat to succeeded Communism as a global threat to civilization.civilization.

Misperception that extremism, intolerance and Misperception that extremism, intolerance and violence are ineluctably bound up with Islamviolence are ineluctably bound up with Islam

World is shaped by ideas by those who can World is shaped by ideas by those who can manipulate them to their ends.manipulate them to their ends.

Whoever can best influence the premise of Whoever can best influence the premise of underlying policy will control the political underlying policy will control the political agenda.agenda.

Historical sequence in which this Historical sequence in which this misperception developedmisperception developed

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 reinforced the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 reinforced the perception that Communism was major perception that Communism was major threat to America.threat to America.

In 1962, Center for Strategic Studies, the In 1962, Center for Strategic Studies, the first think tank in Washington was foundedfirst think tank in Washington was founded

Dr. Robert Crane (of CSS) wrote an article in Dr. Robert Crane (of CSS) wrote an article in Orbis(Jan,1963) and outlined grand strategy Orbis(Jan,1963) and outlined grand strategy to address the causes of instability by to address the causes of instability by pursuing justice, because injustice leads to pursuing justice, because injustice leads to Communism. President Nixon appointed him Communism. President Nixon appointed him as director of planning in National Security as director of planning in National Security CouncilCouncil

Historical DevelopmentHistorical Development Director of NSC, Dr. Henry Kissinger fired him Director of NSC, Dr. Henry Kissinger fired him

because his strategy was global stability by imposing because his strategy was global stability by imposing military might and imposing a balance of power.military might and imposing a balance of power.

After the collapse of Communism, Samuel After the collapse of Communism, Samuel Huntington set the framework for a new grand Huntington set the framework for a new grand strategy with his thesis that we were entering the strategy with his thesis that we were entering the era of “ Clash of Civilizations.”era of “ Clash of Civilizations.”

In March, 2001, Robert Kaplan in his book “ Coming In March, 2001, Robert Kaplan in his book “ Coming Anarchy” stated that the world was entering a moral Anarchy” stated that the world was entering a moral meltdown and America must preserve its power.meltdown and America must preserve its power.

Sept. 11, 2001 event brought the perception that Sept. 11, 2001 event brought the perception that new global enemy was Islam.new global enemy was Islam.

Historical DevelopmentsHistorical Developments

Impact of 9/11 brought to power the Impact of 9/11 brought to power the “ Neo-Conservative” movement.“ Neo-Conservative” movement.

It was started in 1957 by Robert It was started in 1957 by Robert Strausz-Hupe’s seminal position Strausz-Hupe’s seminal position paper. It called for a global American paper. It called for a global American empire to save the civilization.empire to save the civilization.

On 2-19-04 at Nixon Library, VP On 2-19-04 at Nixon Library, VP Cheney called for a new policy of Cheney called for a new policy of global offense called “ defining global offense called “ defining struggle of 21struggle of 21stst century. century.

Historical DevelopmentsHistorical Developments

Robert Kagan’s book “ Warrior Politics: Why Robert Kagan’s book “ Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos” came Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos” came out in Feb, 2002. In it he presented idea of out in Feb, 2002. In it he presented idea of scrapping morality and ideals and anything scrapping morality and ideals and anything which might interfere with imposing which might interfere with imposing American imperial power.American imperial power.

In the prologue, Kaplan quotes Thomas In the prologue, Kaplan quotes Thomas Hobbes, “ Before the names of just or unjust Hobbes, “ Before the names of just or unjust can have any place, there must be some can have any place, there must be some coercive power. Physical aggression is part coercive power. Physical aggression is part of being human.”of being human.”

Historical DevelopmentsHistorical Developments

Another book “ Colossus: the Cost of Another book “ Colossus: the Cost of American Empire” came out by Neal American Empire” came out by Neal Ferguson. He urges American policy Ferguson. He urges American policy makers to learn from 2 mistakes of past makers to learn from 2 mistakes of past empires: empires:

1- failure to increase the level of force when 1- failure to increase the level of force when faced with oppositionfaced with opposition

2- their failure to plan occupation of foreign 2- their failure to plan occupation of foreign people in terms of not just years but people in terms of not just years but decades.decades.

Civil Democratic Islam: Civil Democratic Islam: Partners,Partners, Resources and StrategiesResources and Strategies

Report by Rand Corp sponsored by Smith Richardson FoundationReport by Rand Corp sponsored by Smith Richardson Foundation

The United States and its allies need to be more The United States and its allies need to be more discriminating in the way they perceive and discriminating in the way they perceive and interact with groups who call themselves Islamicinteract with groups who call themselves Islamic

Islam's current crisis has two main components: A- Failure to thrive and a loss of connection to the global mainstream. B-The Islamic world has been marked by a long period of backwardness andcomparative powerlessness

Four essential groups or positions Four essential groups or positions in Muslim societies to deal with it :in Muslim societies to deal with it :

Fundamentalists who "reject democratic Fundamentalists who "reject democratic values and contemporary Western values and contemporary Western culture”culture”

Traditionalists who "are suspicious of Traditionalists who "are suspicious of modernity, innovation and change.“modernity, innovation and change.“

Modernists who "want the Islamic world to Modernists who "want the Islamic world to become part of global modernity.“become part of global modernity.“

Secularists who "want the Islamic world to Secularists who "want the Islamic world to accept a division of religion and state."accept a division of religion and state."

Strategy suggested by the reportStrategy suggested by the reportFirst PartFirst Part

The modernists and secularists are closest The modernists and secularists are closest to the West but are in a weaker position to the West but are in a weaker position than the other groups, lacking money, than the other groups, lacking money, infrastructure and a public platforminfrastructure and a public platform

Support the modernists first by: 1- Support the modernists first by: 1- publishing and distributing their works at publishing and distributing their works at subsidized cost, 2-encouraging them to subsidized cost, 2-encouraging them to write for mass audiences and for youth, 3-write for mass audiences and for youth, 3-getting their views into the Islamic getting their views into the Islamic curriculum and 4-helping them in the new curriculum and 4-helping them in the new media world which is dominated by media world which is dominated by fundamentalist and traditionalistsfundamentalist and traditionalists

Strategy suggested by the reportStrategy suggested by the report22ndnd Part Part

Traditionalists should be supported Traditionalists should be supported against the fundamentalists by against the fundamentalists by publicizing the traditionalist criticism publicizing the traditionalist criticism of extremism and by" encouraging of extremism and by" encouraging disagreements" between the two disagreements" between the two positions.positions.

In such places as Central Asia, they In such places as Central Asia, they (traditionalists) may need to be (traditionalists) may need to be educated and trained in orthodox educated and trained in orthodox Islam to be able to stand their ground. Islam to be able to stand their ground.

Strategy suggested by the reportStrategy suggested by the report33rdrd Part Part

A third strategy would be "to confront A third strategy would be "to confront and oppose the fundamentalists“ by, and oppose the fundamentalists“ by, among other things, challenging their among other things, challenging their interpretation of Islam and revealing interpretation of Islam and revealing their links with illegal groups and their links with illegal groups and activities.activities.

Support for the secularists would be Support for the secularists would be cautious and very selective, for example cautious and very selective, for example by encouraging "recognition of by encouraging "recognition of fundamentalism as a shared enemy."fundamentalism as a shared enemy."

Western Orientalist Scholars and Western Orientalist Scholars and Media Propaganda Media Propaganda

Orientalist scholars and Western media are Orientalist scholars and Western media are making concentrated propaganda to claim making concentrated propaganda to claim that Muslims do not believe in pluralism and that Muslims do not believe in pluralism and there is no question of living with them there is no question of living with them peacefully and no hope of coexistence with peacefully and no hope of coexistence with them.them.

Western orientalist scholars frequently quote Western orientalist scholars frequently quote from the Quran and the Traditions of the from the Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet (SAW)--sometimes out of context to Prophet (SAW)--sometimes out of context to justify their contentionjustify their contention

They repeat the thousand years old ijtihad They repeat the thousand years old ijtihad which had divided the world into Dar al Islam which had divided the world into Dar al Islam (the abode of peace) and Dar al herb (the (the abode of peace) and Dar al herb (the abode of war).abode of war).

Ijtihad of Contemporary Muslim Ijtihad of Contemporary Muslim ScholarsScholars

Contemporary Muslim scholars and jurists Contemporary Muslim scholars and jurists (Dr.Taha Jabar Alwani President FCNA) have (Dr.Taha Jabar Alwani President FCNA) have however divided the world into two realms: however divided the world into two realms:

1-Dar al Ijabah -the land of acceptance, land 1-Dar al Ijabah -the land of acceptance, land whose people (Ummah al Ijabah) have whose people (Ummah al Ijabah) have accepted Islam and Islamic values are accepted Islam and Islamic values are practiced. practiced.

2-Dar al Dawah- the land of invitation, land 2-Dar al Dawah- the land of invitation, land to which Dawah has been presented and its to which Dawah has been presented and its people ( Ummah ad Dawah) are invited to people ( Ummah ad Dawah) are invited to Islamic values and practices. It is a land of Islamic values and practices. It is a land of dialogue and interfaith communications. dialogue and interfaith communications.

This concept is also found in Imam Razi’s work.This concept is also found in Imam Razi’s work.

2- Most difficult challenge for 2- Most difficult challenge for Muslims in the World todayMuslims in the World today

How to influence the premises which led to How to influence the premises which led to this misperception that Islam is a threat.this misperception that Islam is a threat.

Gap in understanding between the neo-cons Gap in understanding between the neo-cons who call for “freedom and democracy” and who call for “freedom and democracy” and the Muslims and most of other people who the Muslims and most of other people who call for justice. call for justice.

Major challenge for all Americans is that Major challenge for all Americans is that their president has lost touch with the their president has lost touch with the American heritage. The first aim in the American heritage. The first aim in the American Constitution is “ the American Constitution is “ the establishment of justice” before peace, establishment of justice” before peace, security, prosperity and freedom.security, prosperity and freedom.

3-The Paradigm of Justice3-The Paradigm of Justice

Teachings of classical Islam and Teachings of classical Islam and classical America typified by America’s classical America typified by America’s founders Edmund Burke and Thomas founders Edmund Burke and Thomas Jefferson must be renewed to build Jefferson must be renewed to build new global civilization.new global civilization.

Duty of Muslims in America is to help Duty of Muslims in America is to help build this new global civilization on the build this new global civilization on the spiritual foundations. Failure to do so spiritual foundations. Failure to do so would end all civilization and bring on would end all civilization and bring on the end of time.the end of time.

Our responsibility is to plant the Our responsibility is to plant the tree ( of life and civilization)tree ( of life and civilization)

Prophet Mohammad ( SAW) said, “ Prophet Mohammad ( SAW) said, “ Even if you would know that the Even if you would know that the world would end tomorrow, you world would end tomorrow, you should go out and plant a tree.”should go out and plant a tree.”

This Hadith talks about :This Hadith talks about :1.1. Our responsibility no matter how Our responsibility no matter how

bleak the situation may appear.bleak the situation may appear.2.2. It gives optimism in all circumstances It gives optimism in all circumstances

and to think positively for the good of and to think positively for the good of all.all.

Ibadah (worship) of Allah is the root Ibadah (worship) of Allah is the root of this tree of life. It has two formsof this tree of life. It has two forms

PersonalPersonal: Its example is Salaah. It has : Its example is Salaah. It has three level- 1- With the fear of Allahthree level- 1- With the fear of Allah

2- To seek His rewards2- To seek His rewards 3- With the love of Allah3- With the love of Allah SocialSocial: It is symbolized in Hajj and its : It is symbolized in Hajj and its

mass movement of millions to the plain mass movement of millions to the plain of Arafat. It reminds them the gathering of Arafat. It reminds them the gathering of Last Day but also responsibilities to of Last Day but also responsibilities to each other. These are the foundations each other. These are the foundations of justice.of justice.

Principles of justice have 3 levels of Principles of justice have 3 levels of hierarchyhierarchy

Most general ( maqasid or purposes, Most general ( maqasid or purposes, kulliyat or uinversals, dururiyat or kulliyat or uinversals, dururiyat or essentials)essentials)

More specific ( hujjiyat)More specific ( hujjiyat) Most specific ( tahsinyat)Most specific ( tahsinyat)

Sources of knowledgeSources of knowledge

Divine revelation ( haqq al yaqin)Divine revelation ( haqq al yaqin) Study of the signs ( ain al yaqin)Study of the signs ( ain al yaqin) Derived from above (Ilma al yaqin)Derived from above (Ilma al yaqin)

Three level of struggle or JihadThree level of struggle or Jihad

Jihad al akbar ( greatest jihad)- Jihad al akbar ( greatest jihad)- Spiritual jihad of self purificationSpiritual jihad of self purification

Jihad saghir ( lesser jihad)- This calls Jihad saghir ( lesser jihad)- This calls for the use of force subject to the for the use of force subject to the laws of just war to defend human laws of just war to defend human rights.rights.

Jihad al kabir ( great jihad)-This calls Jihad al kabir ( great jihad)-This calls for application of divine revelation. for application of divine revelation. (Furqan 25:52(Furqan 25:52

Sources of JusticeSources of Justice

Sources of JusticeSources of Justice

1.1. Revelations from Allah-Revelations from Allah- Justice has Justice has meaning if comes from truth which has meaning if comes from truth which has meaning if it comes from absolute source meaning if it comes from absolute source which is Allah.which is Allah.

2.2. Hadith or the teachings of ProphetHadith or the teachings of Prophet..

3.3. Usul al Fiqh-roots of legal reasoningUsul al Fiqh-roots of legal reasoning developed by scholars based upon developed by scholars based upon ‘istislah’ or good of both individual and ‘istislah’ or good of both individual and the society.the society.

7 Principles of Justice7 Principles of Justice(by Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Musa al (by Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Musa al

Shatibi d 1388 AC/790 AH)Shatibi d 1388 AC/790 AH) Haqq al din- respect for religionHaqq al din- respect for religion Haqq al nafs-respect the human personHaqq al nafs-respect the human person Haqq al UsrahHaqq al Usrah Haqq al mal- right of private property.Haqq al mal- right of private property. Haqq al hurriyah- respect of self Haqq al hurriyah- respect of self

determination( Khilafah, shura, ijma, determination( Khilafah, shura, ijma, judiciary.)judiciary.)

Haqq al kirama- respect for human dignity Haqq al kirama- respect for human dignity including religious freedom and gender including religious freedom and gender equality.equality.

Principles of JusticePrinciples of Justice

Haqq al Ilm- respect for knowledge. It Haqq al Ilm- respect for knowledge. It requires freedom of thought, press, requires freedom of thought, press, assembly.assembly.

Justice is at the core of Islam. This Justice is at the core of Islam. This paradigm of human responsibilities is paradigm of human responsibilities is being revived.being revived.

Such principles of justice do exist in all Such principles of justice do exist in all world religions in lesser degree.world religions in lesser degree.

Principles of justice in secularismPrinciples of justice in secularism

They start from the material universe as They start from the material universe as the ultimate reality.the ultimate reality.

Human reason as the only source of truth.Human reason as the only source of truth. Such unaided human reasoning has led to Such unaided human reasoning has led to

the principle of might makes right.the principle of might makes right. This leads to totalitarian concepts as This leads to totalitarian concepts as

stability through unilateral preemptionstability through unilateral preemption Concepts like freedom and democracy can Concepts like freedom and democracy can

divorce rights from responsibilities and divorce rights from responsibilities and produce worse injustices.produce worse injustices.

Thomas Jefferson-author of the Thomas Jefferson-author of the Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence

No people can remain free unless No people can remain free unless they are properly educated.they are properly educated.

Education consists first of all in Education consists first of all in learning virtue.learning virtue.

Entire people can be virtuous only if Entire people can be virtuous only if both private and public life are both private and public life are imbued with and guided by truth and imbued with and guided by truth and justice within a spiritual frameworkjustice within a spiritual framework

Advantages of American policy Advantages of American policy based upon justice based upon justice

It would undercut the appeal of It would undercut the appeal of exclusivist and radical elements and exclusivist and radical elements and promote stabilitypromote stability

It would powerfully restore the image It would powerfully restore the image of America as a force for justice in an of America as a force for justice in an age of globalization and a true moral age of globalization and a true moral leader of the world.leader of the world.

Can Muslims be both Muslims and Can Muslims be both Muslims and Americans?Americans?

Members of the Center for Understanding Members of the Center for Understanding Islam answered it in their first publication Islam answered it in their first publication during first 2 years after 9/11during first 2 years after 9/11

Our country is America and our faith is Our country is America and our faith is Islam. No need to choose between them.Islam. No need to choose between them.

Responsibility of a loyal American is to Responsibility of a loyal American is to support the government when it governs support the government when it governs according to its founding principles and according to its founding principles and loyal opposition when it does not.loyal opposition when it does not.

6- Transcendent Identity6- Transcendent Identity

We must advance from parochial clash to We must advance from parochial clash to common vision to transcendent identity.common vision to transcendent identity.

Work through intra faith and interfaith Work through intra faith and interfaith dialogue.dialogue.

Reach beyond differences with people of all Reach beyond differences with people of all faiths and cultures.faiths and cultures.

Exclusivism can lead to factionalism and this Exclusivism can lead to factionalism and this leads to extremism.leads to extremism.

We must move from tolerance and peaceful We must move from tolerance and peaceful existence to peaceful cooperation.existence to peaceful cooperation.

7- How can Muslims shape their 7- How can Muslims shape their future?future?

Three potential futures for Muslims in Three potential futures for Muslims in America.America.

1-Assimilate into American culture. This is a 1-Assimilate into American culture. This is a suicide.suicide.

2-Rejection and confrontation. This is a 2-Rejection and confrontation. This is a ghetto mentality and is also suicidal.ghetto mentality and is also suicidal.

3-Integration by bringing the best of Islamic 3-Integration by bringing the best of Islamic heritage to reinforce the best of heritage to reinforce the best of America’s heritage to establish a model America’s heritage to establish a model order , justice and liberty based on the order , justice and liberty based on the spiritual nature of all human beings.spiritual nature of all human beings.

4 Methods of Integration4 Methods of Integration

1- Work at the local level.1- Work at the local level. To develop a better understanding of To develop a better understanding of

Islam.Islam. To develop practice of Ibadah at To develop practice of Ibadah at

personal and social level including personal and social level including Salaah, Zakah and social wok.Salaah, Zakah and social wok.

Explain Islam to others for Explain Islam to others for developing better understanding .developing better understanding .

Process of IntegrationProcess of Integration

2-Found think tanks in order to network 2-Found think tanks in order to network with like minded think tanks in with like minded think tanks in Washington.Washington.

Several attempts were made but failed Several attempts were made but failed due to > lack of fundingdue to > lack of funding

>failure to recruit top professional >failure to recruit top professional staff.staff.

Top 20 think tanks in the field of foreign Top 20 think tanks in the field of foreign policy have budgets in millions of dollars.policy have budgets in millions of dollars.

Process of IntegrationProcess of Integration

3- Lobby the government on specific 3- Lobby the government on specific policies, political participation and to policies, political participation and to run for office.run for office.

> Lobbying done so far is reactive > Lobbying done so far is reactive confrontation against set policies.confrontation against set policies.

> Little effort to lobby proactively in a > Little effort to lobby proactively in a professional manner to shape the policyprofessional manner to shape the policy

>Approach should be not what is good for >Approach should be not what is good for Muslims but what is good for America.Muslims but what is good for America.

Process of IntegrationProcess of Integration

4- To work within academia. Here the ideas 4- To work within academia. Here the ideas are developed and passed on to the think are developed and passed on to the think tanks which influence political agenda.tanks which influence political agenda.

> Found a university on the model of > Found a university on the model of Oxford and Cambridge informed by Islamic Oxford and Cambridge informed by Islamic thoughts.thoughts.

> Faculty and students have to be ½ non > Faculty and students have to be ½ non Muslims to attract the best talent.Muslims to attract the best talent.

>The greatest challenge for this step is >The greatest challenge for this step is again financial.again financial.

Main reasons for our failureMain reasons for our failure

Hostile climate for Muslims after 9/11. It Hostile climate for Muslims after 9/11. It has discouraged Muslims from thinking has discouraged Muslims from thinking big. Those who do not think big, fail.big. Those who do not think big, fail.

Intellectual basis for such integration. Our Intellectual basis for such integration. Our thinkers and intellectuals must work upon thinkers and intellectuals must work upon these ideas consulting primary and these ideas consulting primary and secondary sources.secondary sources.

Lack of funding. Those who could fund Lack of funding. Those who could fund such work no longer appreciate this work. such work no longer appreciate this work. We need to revive the institution of We need to revive the institution of endowment.endowment.

ConclusionConclusion

Challenges and opportunities for Challenges and opportunities for prosperous future for Muslims in prosperous future for Muslims in America are enormous.America are enormous.

Time frame for success must be Time frame for success must be measured in decades. Work must begin measured in decades. Work must begin now.now.

Urgent need in America is spiritual Urgent need in America is spiritual renewal not just moral reforms.renewal not just moral reforms.

Best planner is Allah and we are merely Best planner is Allah and we are merely His servants. We must rely upon Allah.His servants. We must rely upon Allah.

Last WordLast Word

And if anyone puts his trust in Allah sufficient is (Allah) for him.

For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion