American Muslim Alliance Policy Forum July 13, 2012

 

Last Friday, I was invited to speak at AMA’s policy forum in New Jersey. I was honored to share my experience and insights as an American Muslim with those present, many of whom have been steadfast supporters and champions of AMA’s journey, as well as so many other causes that advance greater understanding between Muslims here and abroad and the “West” as we refer to it.  Of course, we are part of the West too, which is why this identification and categorization is problematic in the 21st century.

In addition to Muslim leaders, e.g. Agha Saeed, MAQ Siddiqui, Zahid Hassan, Dr. Zafar Jamil, there were some brave  activists and leaders who are “fighting our fight” so to speak.  Steve Downs – of Project Salam and the International Coalition to protect Civil Freedoms – was simply amazing.  Imagine walking into a small ballroom and seeing a wall of photos/stories about the hundreds of people who have been “pre-emptively prosecuted” by the American intelligence labyrinth, which has mushroomed and is considered the largest organization in the world!  The stories were heart-rending and so sad.  People who had done nothing were behind bars for 20 years or more, often life, just because they had a certain “ideology”.  It is shocking that this can happen here, in the world’s largest democracy, where the strength of our laws and freedoms protect us but can be weakened and stigmatized too.

I kicked off the session with my talk, and coincidentally my whole focus was on how we need to get our stories out there, and how we can counter hate with stories, culture, our own behavior and spirituality.  I spoke about the American dream we live by night, and the nightmares we suffer imagining the worst, when we know the lessons of history have not been learned.  I spoke about the global opportunities of communications and integration which could build a wonderful new society, but also the ugly underbelly of endless wars.  Peace makers will never have the money like the heiress to the Sears Roebuck fortune who has been called the “Sugar Mama of Hate” by The Nation magazine.  But we peace builders have our character, and we care about the legacy we leave behind.

Steve was followed by Sara Flounders, who linked the war at home to the wars abroad, and how the latter fuels and justifies the former.  She spoke beautifully about the dilemna we find ourselves in, as ugly and worrisome as it is.  And finally, Senator Gavel spoke about his vision of getting the election processes cleaned up so that the people have more power.

As with most people of the Subcontinent, the evening could not be concluded without some social entertainment, and we had some local talent that entertained us all.

My key takeway from that meeting was not to despair, and to keep spreading our peaceful and nonviolent message, while appreciating and helping those who are speaking on our behalf.  What noble people, and they are the product of the same society that produces the destroyers of peace. Isn’t that so around the world, and shouldn’t we keep that in mind as Imam Feisal writes in his most recent book “Moving the Mountain” (www.cordobainitiative.org).