Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 30/09/2010
American Islamic College, Chicago – Illinois Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to begin by welcoming you all and thanking you for responding to our invitation to attend this conference on Islam and Muslims in America. We are holding this meeting with the valuable help and assistance of Dr. Ali Yurtsever and his team. We would like to thank them for their dedicated work and excellent arrangement. This meeting is taking place at this particular juncture, because we, at the Organization of Islamic Conference feel an urgent and imperative need to interact with our fellow Muslims and their representatives in the United States, with a view to discussing the various issues pertaining to the concerns of Muslims around the world. We believe that this initiative is long overdue, taking into consideration the present circumstances facing the Muslims world in general, and the need to address the concerns of the American Muslim community in the United States in particular. We are guided in this endeavor by the principle of due respect to the sovereignty of the host country and in total compliance with its relevant laws and regulations. Ladies and Gentlemen, In today’s inter-connected world, I am sure that the majority among you are following the events that are unfolding across the Muslim world in general and their ramifications which affect all Muslims. The first decade of the twenty first century, as it is drawing to a close in a few months, was rife with grim events of far-reaching proportions. The beginning of the new millennium did not herald any good omen for the Muslim Ummah, as it brought in its fold events like the abhorrent terrorist attacks of 9/11, the occupation of Iraq, the escalation of war in Afghanistan, the unleash of what is termed the “war on terror”, and more importantly, the opening of the flood gates of the islamophobic torrent, which is still fueling hatred and discrimination against Islam and Muslims all over the world, including the United States. These dreadful events have brought to the fore the pressing need of Muslims and their leaders to reflect on their position on the world’s scene, if they are to salvage some of their rightful dues, safeguard their rights, defend their just causes and pave the way for a better and prosperous future. In trying to achieve these objectives, we have been interacting with many Muslim Organisations in the diaspora, mainly in Europe in a bid to discuss their concerns and preoccupations, while establishing channels of communication with their host countries. In calling for today’s meeting we sought to initiate a new relationship and interconnection with Muslim Organisations established in the United States. As we meet for the first time, it is necessary to give you a short glimpse of the Organisation of the Islamic conference (OIC). The OIC is the only official intergovernmental Islamic Organisation. It represents 57 Islamic countries. It is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. As we talk our organization has 5 member countries that are non-permanent members in the UN Security Council and counts 3 members in the G-20 group. The OIC voices the consensual views and attitudes of the Muslim world, defends its causes and coordinates the joint actions of its Member States in all domains of activity, be they political, economic, cultural, or otherwise. The OIC reflects the true and real image of Islam, based on moderation, modernization, tolerance, peace, pluralism and acknowledgement of diversity, as well as dialogue with other faiths and civilizations. The OIC enjoys an observer status in the United Nations System. The U.S. State Department has a section specialized in dealing with the OIC and Muslim world issues. Both former President George W. Bush and President Barak Obama nominated Special Envoys to liaise with the OIC and to promote the relations between the United States and the Muslim world. The OIC is not a religious organization. Islam is an inclusive religion and an integral part of the whole history of religion. Islam with its points of reference is compatible with the finest manners of human nature. It seeks to promote and enhance the best values of humans. Islam also embraces the sublime virtues of peace, equality, justice, compassion, human rights, and respects nature and the environment. We believe that these virtues are not the preserve of any people, religion or civilization. They are universal values that all humanity needs to internalize and uphold. Furthermore, the OIC with its new vision and its new Charter advocates and endeavors to implant the notion of good governance and enhance the respect of human rights in the policies of its Member States. It is establishing a permanent and independent commission on human rights, with a view to elevating and boosting these rights. Among the major preoccupations and concerns facing Muslims nowadays is the mounting surge of Islamophobia. This surge has shown how vulnerable basic misunderstanding and deep rooted bigotry can resurface to pit one part of humanity against the other, thus amplifying cultural fault-lines on a global scale. The increasing manifestations of Islamophobia in the West and mainly in the United States bring to our attention a mutual realization of our inadequate knowledge about nations and cultures. It also shows the dire need for forging a new relationship and understanding through respect of cultural diversity. Past experiences and history have taught us that the way we address the issues of “the Other” determines the dynamic of relations between nations and can lead either to stability or confrontation, depending on the way we choose to tread. Not long ago, fault lies between nations used to be drawn on military pacts, political ideologies or geographical entities. Today, confrontation lines are mainly drawn on cultural considerations. This fact makes confrontations deeper and more intricate because cultures are profoundly embedded in the psyche of individuals. As the entire international community is fighting the scourge of terrorism, we firmly believe that the effort we make to combat terrorism must be part of an overall endeavor aiming at building a better world based on cultural diversity, a world in which human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedom are properly respected. The suggestion that Islam is the problem as it is claimed in the hateful discourse of Islamophobia, is to negate Islam’s sublime values of peace, compassion, and tolerance, and all the noble virtues that Islam has stood for throughout fourteen centuries of tolerant, brilliant and radiant civilization. Suffice it to say that these baseless accusations try to ascribe bad and vicious deeds committed by a handful of misguided and crime-prone individuals to the entire populations of the Muslim world. This line of thinking reflects and embodies irrational and vicious prejudices. The danger in this sort of labeling is that it renders Muslims who are one fourth of the world’s population suspects and outcasts, and tries to lump all Muslims into one category. The concept of Jihad in Islam is a quite subtle and delicate. It has often been mistranslated and misunderstood, at time deliberately so. Koranic Scholars have always explained that Jihad means to struggle and strive for noble ends. The greater Jihad is one of inner struggle for self-improvement, for the benefit of society, or against ignorance, poverty and social problems. We, in the OIC, on our part, are convinced and determined to work hard and continue to maintain our strong belief that diverse cultures should complement and enhance one another. Tolerance, stability and prosperity are nurtured only when nations and cultures communicate and respect each other. Muslims are proud of their faith, culture and values, but it would be erroneous to interpret their love of heritage to mean refusal to benefit from the progress and advancements achieved by the evolving human civilizations. It will also be a great mistake to assume that Muslims are opposed to freedom and democracy, or that they are disposed to violence. Ladies and Gentlemen, Turning back to issues on the home front, here I would like to say that the Muslim world is happy and lucky to have such an affluent, vibrant and prosperous Muslim community in the United States. The presence of Islam and Muslims in the United States goes a long way back in history. According to Wikipedia, American President John Adam in 1797 signed a treaty declaring that “the United States had no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility with Muslims.” Wikipedia added that in the year 1790 South Carolina legislative body granted special legal status to a community of Muslim Moroccans, twelve years after the Sultan of Morocco became the first foreign Head of State to recognize the independence of the United States of America. Small scale migration to the U.S.A. by Muslims began in 1840 with the arrival of groups from Turks and Yemenites and lasted until the First World War. There was another noticeable surge of Muslim immigrants to the U.S. during the seventies of the last century. Today, there are no accurate statistics of the number of Muslims in the United States because the Census Bureau does not collect data on religious identification. But there are different estimates about the number of Muslims who live in the U.S, ranging from 1.3 million to seven million. According to the New York Times, during the year 2005, nearly 960,000 Muslim immigrants became legal permanent U.S. residents. This number exceeds any other number recorded in the previous two decades. The Times added: it is said that this took place after a decision taken by the White House Executive Office to nominate a U.S. Special Envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, with a view to promoting relations between the Muslim world and the U.S. government. Ladies and Gentlemen, Many Muslim immigrants who settled in the U.S. during the seventies did so in a quest to acquire higher education, or in pursuit of more rewarding jobs and a better life. They were confronted by an American way of life based on intellectual rigour and a perceived spiritual laxity compared to the conservative character of Muslim societies back home. This cultural gap was instrumental in driving early Muslim immigrant to isolation from the society they live in, and led them to shun political activities as they were not accustomed to it in their countries of origin. This perceived moral laxity in the American society also prompted many Muslim parents to look for alternative schooling and social activities for their children. The education system in the U.S. is impacted by an advanced level of secularism which does not recognize the authority of religion as a source of moral and ontological knowledge. Muslim parents were keen to ensure that the upbringing of their children is in keeping with Islamic culture, and should have an education where religion plays a part, without completely neglecting the views of modern science. The goal was to raise children having a balanced “Islamic personality”. It is remarkable to see that the American Muslim community has recorded a resounding success in this domain. We applaud the fervent eagerness given to “Islamic Education” by American Muslims. Their keenness made it possible to give adequate Islamic education to their youth starting from weekend schools, to fulltime Islamic schools. Today we realize that there is hardly any major city in America without Islamic schools while metropolitan areas like Chicago, New York, Detroit or Los Angeles etc have over a dozen fulltime Islamic schools each. Moreover, a number of “Muslim Educational Councils” have been established to coordinate efforts to improve Islamic education in the area of curriculum development and teachers’ training. Another weak point that impacted American Muslims was their political aloofness and fragmentation. One had to wait a long time to see American Muslims give serious thinking to engage in the American political arena. Today, we are heartened and encouraged by the substantive increase in the level of American Muslim political involvement which was observed, for the first time, since the early stages of the nineties of the last century. We were also delighted to see American Muslims began to get active in rallying mainstream political leaders to their causes. In this regard, we pay homage to the “American Muslim Council” (AMC) and the “Council of American – Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Public Affairs Council, (MPAC) and other organization for pioneering this trend. We also appreciate very much their endeavor in raising Muslims’ awareness regarding their civil rights and training them on how to respond to certain political events through local gatherings and national conventions, or how to lobby in the U.S. Congress and Federal agencies. We also value their help in educating the American public on Islamic causes and providing logistical and technical support to Muslim activists. What is remarkable is that the leaders of such organizations belong to the first generation of Muslim immigrants. All these activities hold great hope for a brighter future for our American Muslim community, even though there is still a long way for them to cover before they could attain their goals, as their impact on the American national scene is hardly noticeable. This is due to two elements: fragmentation and political aloofness. Today, several indications reveal positive signs of developments and engender hope for a better and more promising future for the American Muslim community. This community has been blessed with countless individuals who have been able to rise above the American socio-cultural limitations and have in the process succeeded in pulling others along with them. One outstanding feature of many of Muslim immigrants in the last few decades is that they received high education with remarkable personal achievement. The free and the well-organized American society has provided those achievers with ample challenges and opportunities to bring their talents and skills to bear on the life of their communities and the wider societies around them. Quoting Zogby International, a key international polling organization, an editorial published in the Wall Street Journal by Bret Stephens and Joseph Raga spoke of the tendency of American Muslims to report to employment in professional fields, with one out of three having an income exceeding 75,000 dollars a year. It is reported that today’s Muslim community in the United States has many ranking professionals as physicians, engineers and businessmen. But they lack lawyers, journalists, teachers, novelists and similar professions, to provide direction and project the correct image, ethos and values of Islam and raise Muslim voice. Islamic Organizations have also made remarkable inroads into the mainstream social and political American life in a relatively short time. This is manifest in the establishment of hundreds of Islamic Centers and institutions, introducing Muslim chaplains in the U.S. military, establishing political action and lobbying organizations, publishing houses, and small sized media organizations. Muslims’ political fragmentation is often due to lack of political experience and maturation, a situation which makes American Muslims work among themselves while avoiding other communities outside their group. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is, therefore, imperative that the leadership of Muslim Americans addresses these concerns, misgivings and insecurities of the American Muslim population with a view to building confidence and trust. They also need to build their moral and political strength. Political aloofness manifests itself in the lack of serious involvement in issues of concern to the American general public, such as human rights and political liberties of Muslim communities. These are legitimate concerns and should, naturally, take priority over other issues. That is why it is incumbent on American Muslims to stand up for the principles of right and justice and support good causes. They should join other groups, including non-Muslims, in fighting injustice and corruption. Such involvement goes hand in hand with the teaching of Islam. Equally important is the institutional building and the development of human resources destined to address their concerns. One has to bear in mind that community strength does not come from sheer activism, but requires precise strategic planning. In democracy numbers count, but the technical strength of the individuals are essential for the making of critical masses. Muslim leaders need to develop sharp and clear goals, and then proceed to plan their steps with vigor and precision in the two domains of Islamic education and political maturation. Today, American Muslims have a role and duty to lead the way through sound moral conduct and active participation in positive political movements towards the creation of a just, peaceful and righteous society. Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be amiss if I conclude my statement without touching on a fundamental issue that is wreaking havoc on Islam’s image in the United States. The “war on terror” unleashed in the aftermath of the horrifying events of 9/11 has given rise to very violent and harsh measures directed against Muslim communities around the world. In the United States many Muslim citizens were to endure the brunt of draconian measures of scrutiny as well as arbitrary and discriminatory treatment. 9/11 also brought to the fore a devastating pandemic of hate and hostility against Muslims with ripple effects acutely felt across all the country. The end result is rampant grudge against Islam, as well as untold suffering and distress to all Muslims. We are thankful for President Obama’s new and fair approach on this issue. Recently, a frantic battle raged over the project of building an Islamic Cultural Center near ground zero in Manhattan. Inflamed controversy has also spread in many places regarding building mosques in the USA. Many reports depict how the manifestation of Islamophobia in the United States became much more extreme, explicit and accepted. Islamophobic incidents range from opposition to building Islamic Centers, mosques, to verbal abuse, or attacking Islam as a faith, linking it with terrorism, and fascism. Moreover, some media increasingly cast its spotlights on Muslims where sensationalism, speculation, inherent negatively, stereotypical images, fantastical representation and grossly exaggerated and dangerous caricatures are used to demonized Islam and Muslims. As a result Muslim vilification has become increasingly acceptable across the spectrum of the American society. All these regrettable derogatory campaigns increased in tone and extent since the criminal events of nine eleven. I would like to emphasize here that what happened on September 11, 2001 was extremely evil and criminal. It was a crime against humanity. It was much a crime in Islamic law as it was in the American constitution or international law and covenants. This is why all Muslim governments, Islamic movements and Ulama condemn it with vigor and without any reservation. Terrorism has no religion. It aims to spread enmity and destruction throughout civilized societies. In combating terrorism one must ensure that he himself does not terrorize others and, in return, dehumanizes himself. Islam, which calls for tolerance, moderation, compassion and leniency, places an obligation on Muslims towards the welfare of their fellow human beings and the societies in which they live, and to work for the common good of all. That is why Muslims should always be careful not to be provoked or to act in anger lest they be distracted from their fundamental commitment to Islam and humanity. They also need to play their full and equal part in the life of their nation. And above all to present a good example of the true essence of their faith and what it really stands for. The criminal shooting spree of the U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, at Fort Hood, and the sinister failed Times Square bombing in New York are all there to increase distorting the image of Islam in the eyes of the American public. The offenders Nidal Malik and Faisal Shahzad have betrayed their country and defamed their religion. They brought shame and devastation to their fellow Muslims and to their community. They also left behind an enormous burden for their community to try to patch up the shattered image of their culture. Such criminal deeds came to pour more oil on the flames of Islamophobia. It is unfortunate that the lofty message of tolerant, leniency and peaceful Islam has become hostage to such horrendous criminal acts. It is also unfortunate and unjust that these criminal acts are ascribed to the entire Islamic world and tagged to Islamic faith. Muslims in America and around the world do a lot of good and noble deeds, but it seems that we live in an era whereby Islam counts only when a Muslim commits a crime. To face up to this overwhelming distortion, draconian efforts should be deployed. Such action requires the unity of hearts and purpose, and calls for putting an end to the situation of fragmentation of the ranks of the members of American Muslim community and ending their tendency for political aloofness. All resources should be mobilized to rectify the image of Islam and restore the bright image of our faith against all odds. I believe that our blessed meeting today will prove to be a good starter to rally all resources and open a new chapter in the efforts of the American Muslim community to restore the glorious image and honorable stand of its noble faith and its luminous and brilliant culture.
