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Can America Meet the Challenge of Muslim integration?
Can America Meet the Challenge of Muslim integration?
By ABIGAIL R. ESMAN
It’s starting.
A couple of years ago, a Bosnian woman now living in the Netherlands told me, “the situation here feels just the way it felt in Bosnia before the war began.” She was talking about the tensions in Holland between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities, where racism and hate are still intensifying on both sides, even now. And something in the air in America is starting to feel a lot like that.
Of course, civil war hasn’t broken out in Holland, and the situation in the USA is nowhere near as tense as it is there; but I can’t help but feel we are heading in the same direction.
And it’s not just about the mosques and the burning of Korans. It is the smaller things, the episodes and details that enter into our daily lives. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, for instance Muslim complaints of religious discrimination have risen to record levels: 58.4 percent over claims from 2004 (religious discrimination charges for that same time period increased overall by 44 percent). In one particularly egregious example, supervisors at the JBS Swift meat processing plants allegedly hurled animal parts at Muslim workers, most of whom are Somali refugees. A lawsuit filed by Swift’s Muslim employees against the company, describes obscene anti-Muslim bathroom graffiti at the company’s Greeley, Colorado plant. In 2008, the suit alleges, Muslim employees of a Swift plant in Grand Isle, Nebraska were denied dinner breaks at 7:30 pm during Ramadan and were forced to wait to eat until 8:30 pm. (Dinner breaks were ordinarily scheduled for 9:15.) Muslim workers staged a walkout in protest, and were immediately fired – though several were soon reinstated.
But there is more to this than most media reports indicate. For one thing, in the case of the Ramadan incident, JBS Swift had initially complied with its Muslim employees’ request for an early dinner; only after non-Muslim workers complained that their Muslim colleagues’ absence from the work floor created a backlog and added work burden did they seek the 8:30 pm compromise. (I also can’t help but wonder how strictly religious these Muslims were, given that JBS Swift is not halal.)
Similar disputes over the right to prayer breaks have created similar conflicts around the country: employers often suggest Muslim workers use scheduled bathroom breaks for this purpose, rather than take additional time out (which is seen as being unfair to non-Muslim workers). And some Muslim women allege they’ve been demoted or even denied jobs because they wear the hijab, or headscarf. In one lawsuit filed against Disney, Moroccan immigrant Imane Boudlal donned a hijab in August of this year after two years working at Disneyland’s “Storyteller’s Café” without one. Disney claims that her scarf did not suit the restaurant’s turn-of-the-century theme, and suggested she wear a hat, instead – and one which would better suit the café’s style. According to the New York Times, however, Ms. Boudlal called the hats offered “un-Muslim,” and refused.
So is this a case of religious discrimination? Were the Swift workers treated unfairly? Was Boudlal?
The incidents in which bloody animal parts were hurled at Muslims in Greeley can be described only as deplorable. (Imagine women having tampons thrown at them, or Jews finding swastikas carved into their desks.) Reports of Muslims being taunted with jeers of “Osama” and “terrorist” show just how ignorant and hateful Americans actually can be.
But one has as well to question the legitimacy of claims of “religious discrimination” when Muslim workers seek time off at the expense of their non-Muslim colleagues, who in turn respond with anger. And then there’s the matter of the hijab.
This latter causes tensions all over the Western world, of course; France banned the headscarf and other items of religious clothing from public and government spaces several years ago, and other European cities debate doing the same. Muslims scream “Discrimination!” and protest in city squares. Personally, I don’t buy it.
In fact, in Turkey, where a ban was in effect for most of the 20th century (until being overturned by current President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan), it is said that young urban women who have taken up the hijab do so not for religious reasons, but political ones, a statement of defiant alliance with Islam over Western culture, of identification with a movement that is anti-West, the 21st century’s more threatening version of anti-establishment, long-haired men and Flower Power.
When my friend, an Iraqi refugee, arrived in the US in 2007, she was offered a job as an anchorwoman with Al Arabiya TV – on the condition, said her Muslim prospective employer, that she remove her scarf. She refused, and found another job instead. Yet though she has since stopped wearing the scarf anyway – a decision she made of her own accord – she is no less a Muslim now than she was before. For as another friend, who was born in Morocco and spent most of her adult life in Saudi Arabia, put it: “my religion is between me and my God; it is in my heart, not in what I wear.”
Indeed, the fighting over hijabs strikes me as hypocrisy on many counts – not least because a 2007 Pew study found that the vast majority of Muslim women in America do not wear them. When those who do are confronted by women’s rights activists who declare the scarf a symbol of male oppression, the response generally is “I wear it out of choice.” Many Muslims, in fact, insist that the scarf – let alone the burqa – is not even mandated in the Koran. And even when she did cover her head, my fashion-conscious Iraqi friend did, indeed, often wear a hat, instead – unlike Ms. Boudlal.
So the thing is, despite the numbers being trumpeted about regarding incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination, the situation is not quite so dire as one might believe. Yes, the EEOC registered 1,463 complaints last year. Yes, that number is higher than it was the year before. But out of 1.5 million Muslim adults in this country, I’d say we’re doing reasonably well.
http://blogs.forbes.com/abigailesman/2010/09/27/can-america-meet-the-challenge-of-muslim-integration/
By ABIGAIL R. ESMAN
It’s starting.
A couple of years ago, a Bosnian woman now living in the Netherlands told me, “the situation here feels just the way it felt in Bosnia before the war began.” She was talking about the tensions in Holland between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities, where racism and hate are still intensifying on both sides, even now. And something in the air in America is starting to feel a lot like that.
Of course, civil war hasn’t broken out in Holland, and the situation in the USA is nowhere near as tense as it is there; but I can’t help but feel we are heading in the same direction.
And it’s not just about the mosques and the burning of Korans. It is the smaller things, the episodes and details that enter into our daily lives. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, for instance Muslim complaints of religious discrimination have risen to record levels: 58.4 percent over claims from 2004 (religious discrimination charges for that same time period increased overall by 44 percent). In one particularly egregious example, supervisors at the JBS Swift meat processing plants allegedly hurled animal parts at Muslim workers, most of whom are Somali refugees. A lawsuit filed by Swift’s Muslim employees against the company, describes obscene anti-Muslim bathroom graffiti at the company’s Greeley, Colorado plant. In 2008, the suit alleges, Muslim employees of a Swift plant in Grand Isle, Nebraska were denied dinner breaks at 7:30 pm during Ramadan and were forced to wait to eat until 8:30 pm. (Dinner breaks were ordinarily scheduled for 9:15.) Muslim workers staged a walkout in protest, and were immediately fired – though several were soon reinstated.
But there is more to this than most media reports indicate. For one thing, in the case of the Ramadan incident, JBS Swift had initially complied with its Muslim employees’ request for an early dinner; only after non-Muslim workers complained that their Muslim colleagues’ absence from the work floor created a backlog and added work burden did they seek the 8:30 pm compromise. (I also can’t help but wonder how strictly religious these Muslims were, given that JBS Swift is not halal.)
Similar disputes over the right to prayer breaks have created similar conflicts around the country: employers often suggest Muslim workers use scheduled bathroom breaks for this purpose, rather than take additional time out (which is seen as being unfair to non-Muslim workers). And some Muslim women allege they’ve been demoted or even denied jobs because they wear the hijab, or headscarf. In one lawsuit filed against Disney, Moroccan immigrant Imane Boudlal donned a hijab in August of this year after two years working at Disneyland’s “Storyteller’s Café” without one. Disney claims that her scarf did not suit the restaurant’s turn-of-the-century theme, and suggested she wear a hat, instead – and one which would better suit the café’s style. According to the New York Times, however, Ms. Boudlal called the hats offered “un-Muslim,” and refused.
So is this a case of religious discrimination? Were the Swift workers treated unfairly? Was Boudlal?
The incidents in which bloody animal parts were hurled at Muslims in Greeley can be described only as deplorable. (Imagine women having tampons thrown at them, or Jews finding swastikas carved into their desks.) Reports of Muslims being taunted with jeers of “Osama” and “terrorist” show just how ignorant and hateful Americans actually can be.
But one has as well to question the legitimacy of claims of “religious discrimination” when Muslim workers seek time off at the expense of their non-Muslim colleagues, who in turn respond with anger. And then there’s the matter of the hijab.
This latter causes tensions all over the Western world, of course; France banned the headscarf and other items of religious clothing from public and government spaces several years ago, and other European cities debate doing the same. Muslims scream “Discrimination!” and protest in city squares. Personally, I don’t buy it.
In fact, in Turkey, where a ban was in effect for most of the 20th century (until being overturned by current President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan), it is said that young urban women who have taken up the hijab do so not for religious reasons, but political ones, a statement of defiant alliance with Islam over Western culture, of identification with a movement that is anti-West, the 21st century’s more threatening version of anti-establishment, long-haired men and Flower Power.
When my friend, an Iraqi refugee, arrived in the US in 2007, she was offered a job as an anchorwoman with Al Arabiya TV – on the condition, said her Muslim prospective employer, that she remove her scarf. She refused, and found another job instead. Yet though she has since stopped wearing the scarf anyway – a decision she made of her own accord – she is no less a Muslim now than she was before. For as another friend, who was born in Morocco and spent most of her adult life in Saudi Arabia, put it: “my religion is between me and my God; it is in my heart, not in what I wear.”
Indeed, the fighting over hijabs strikes me as hypocrisy on many counts – not least because a 2007 Pew study found that the vast majority of Muslim women in America do not wear them. When those who do are confronted by women’s rights activists who declare the scarf a symbol of male oppression, the response generally is “I wear it out of choice.” Many Muslims, in fact, insist that the scarf – let alone the burqa – is not even mandated in the Koran. And even when she did cover her head, my fashion-conscious Iraqi friend did, indeed, often wear a hat, instead – unlike Ms. Boudlal.
So the thing is, despite the numbers being trumpeted about regarding incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination, the situation is not quite so dire as one might believe. Yes, the EEOC registered 1,463 complaints last year. Yes, that number is higher than it was the year before. But out of 1.5 million Muslim adults in this country, I’d say we’re doing reasonably well.
http://blogs.forbes.com/abigailesman/2010/09/27/can-america-meet-the-challenge-of-muslim-integration/
Yeah, that is a foreign policy amongst a few hundred policies that are useless. We have plenty of issues right here to address that get overlooked so we look better on the worlds front. We are committed to that stuff these days.
I dont think they blow them up I think they rebuild them the money is sent from the US and our pockets.
We always rebuild the stuff we blow up.... I don't get it personally. Why blow them up?
Yes..and all the while..rebuilding this S#$%, they are confiscating Bibles from ppl being brought in...AND BURNING THEM...next they will do it here! Why would our leaders help ppl like that..and support this? Oh..now I remember..we have some of "their" leaders in "OUR" whitehouse.
"Freedom of Religion"??? The only ones who'll have it is..THEM. They are let to do whatever they want..and punish us. Ppl don't realize..some don't that the way they think they go to heaven is by killing all who aren't Islamic. These ppl are hellbent on doing this..they want to go to "heaven"....
"Freedom of Religion"??? The only ones who'll have it is..THEM. They are let to do whatever they want..and punish us. Ppl don't realize..some don't that the way they think they go to heaven is by killing all who aren't Islamic. These ppl are hellbent on doing this..they want to go to "heaven"....
I don't doubt that one bit margypops! Seeing as how our pres is one of them!
Do you know we the tax payers are paying for Mosques and other islamic artifacts being replaced, repaired all over the middle east .. the US State dept sends millions to them check it out its all over the internet and it is the truth.We are broke yet we are providing money abroad for Islam incidently will they do the same for our churches ..I doubt it .. the state dept recently refused CBS an answer,. By doing this we are simply displaying more weakness and they are laughing all the way to the bank ...
you don't see Jews, Orthodox, Amish..trying to take over our country and here in our own country we cannot worship out in public..b/c we will offend someone..yet..a muslim (it's the extremist who do this stuff btw..and we know the difference..so no offense to you guys who are not) will lay a carpet down in a public place and begin prayer and that's ok..then in some schools in Texas..Arabic is going to be mandatory! That is insane!
I could see it being elective..not mandatory though. Then all this Sharia law talk..and wanting to put mosques everywhere..(THERE ARE PLENTY ALREADY) and complaining everytime they think they're getting their toes stepped on..which is alot! It's rediculous..if you don't like this country..and you don't like us...then by all means..just go home. We don't care if and when you pray or how you pray..or who you pray to..don't care what you wear or where you are from just don't try to force your opinions/beliefs on us. We just want the same rights. Don't worry guys..you got Obama on your sides, he sure isn't on ours.
I could see it being elective..not mandatory though. Then all this Sharia law talk..and wanting to put mosques everywhere..(THERE ARE PLENTY ALREADY) and complaining everytime they think they're getting their toes stepped on..which is alot! It's rediculous..if you don't like this country..and you don't like us...then by all means..just go home. We don't care if and when you pray or how you pray..or who you pray to..don't care what you wear or where you are from just don't try to force your opinions/beliefs on us. We just want the same rights. Don't worry guys..you got Obama on your sides, he sure isn't on ours.
But I ask you, how many times have you seen someone fly a flag of another country over top of the US flag? I've not seen that. Now, their favorite football team . . . different story. During college football season, lots of folks around me take down the US flag and hang their team's. Muslims are American too and not always from another country.
I think we get into trouble when we start saying one group that dresses and acts a bit differently shouldn't. It would encompass far more than just Muslims.
What I will agree with though is that perhaps speaking more pubically about the difference between those who are Muslim and those who are extremist would benefit them. However, boy do they have an uphill battle here. Some actually have already decided that Muslims are not worth their trust and that they shouldn't be in America. Those people who believe that do exist and would like others to feel that way. If you are a Muslim and a peaceful one, to feel like you have to defend your Religious choices may go against why you even came to this country or if you were born here, what you believe America to be. It kind of goes against what I believe America to be. Land of the Free--------- a place where you can come from anywhere and make a life for yourself. Whether you choose to participate in hot dogs at the ball park and flying your flag on 4th of July or NOT is part of being American.
Wouldn't it stink to have to defend yourself for your religious affiliation? To me, quite un American. Just my opinion though and as far as I'm concerned, I just like open discussion and appreciate when others discuss without taking it personally. It is never meant that way by me . . . just so ya know . . .
I think we get into trouble when we start saying one group that dresses and acts a bit differently shouldn't. It would encompass far more than just Muslims.
What I will agree with though is that perhaps speaking more pubically about the difference between those who are Muslim and those who are extremist would benefit them. However, boy do they have an uphill battle here. Some actually have already decided that Muslims are not worth their trust and that they shouldn't be in America. Those people who believe that do exist and would like others to feel that way. If you are a Muslim and a peaceful one, to feel like you have to defend your Religious choices may go against why you even came to this country or if you were born here, what you believe America to be. It kind of goes against what I believe America to be. Land of the Free--------- a place where you can come from anywhere and make a life for yourself. Whether you choose to participate in hot dogs at the ball park and flying your flag on 4th of July or NOT is part of being American.
Wouldn't it stink to have to defend yourself for your religious affiliation? To me, quite un American. Just my opinion though and as far as I'm concerned, I just like open discussion and appreciate when others discuss without taking it personally. It is never meant that way by me . . . just so ya know . . .
You nailed it on where I was coming from, but I think I get where meli is coming from. I kind of like the idea of looking American first too. I think we have seen or heard it on our nations media of people from a different country immigrating here and then flying their flag above the American flag. To me, flying another flag above the American flag states that you're really not so glad to be here, you dont support all of the men and women who fought and died for your rights and the rights that this country has to offer every citizen.
With that being said, I think that people within the Muslim community in this country should be concerned as to not be confused as the percieved enemy. Take me for instance....and this is a stretch, not meant to offend anyone. I am a 43 year old white man, and I by no means want to confused with any of the white folks who may be members of any hate group.
I dont know as if I would rush to point the offenders out, but I would do everything I could to let the world know that I am NOT affilated with the above mentioned group/groups.
I am not too for sure of this, but a friend of mine told me that its against their beliefs to out anyone within their faith for any reason....anyone hear of anything along those lines?
With that being said, I think that people within the Muslim community in this country should be concerned as to not be confused as the percieved enemy. Take me for instance....and this is a stretch, not meant to offend anyone. I am a 43 year old white man, and I by no means want to confused with any of the white folks who may be members of any hate group.
I dont know as if I would rush to point the offenders out, but I would do everything I could to let the world know that I am NOT affilated with the above mentioned group/groups.
I am not too for sure of this, but a friend of mine told me that its against their beliefs to out anyone within their faith for any reason....anyone hear of anything along those lines?
I'm not really sure how to respond to that as I'm still not sure what exactly you are talking about. The way they dress and act? The same could be said for Amish or Orthodox Jews or any group that has cultural practices. I worked with a couple from India that were Christian. When in public especially in a social situation, they followed some pretty strict cultural practices from how the woman dressed and interacted with others. I never thought of them as unpatriotic but rather living the way they choose. I found it interesting and not offensive for being different. To me it didn't make them less American but rather exemplified what is great about this country being a melting pot of different people. That is how I saw it anyway.
I wasn't commenting on brice's post.. in fact I didn't even read his. I just think that they need to show that they are more patriotic because the majority of people think that they are more loyal to their country of origin than to here... whether true or not they have to do their part to integrate into our society if they want to be accepted by the mainstream
I'm curious what you mean melimeli by patriotic and proud to be here. I thought Brice was speaking of their speaking out about extremists in the Church of Islam vs. the majority of Muslims.
I believe that the muslims need to do a bit more to integrate into america... behave a bit more patriotic and proud of being here..
I think America can meet the challenge of Muslim integration. I also believe that the Muslim community as a whole can do more to seperate themselves from the extremists. I think that if the Muslim community could/would expose the extremists for who they are, it would go along way towards acceptance.
I haven't visited London for 25 years and regardless it was just a short vacation. I know there were some clashes among people that were Pakistani and that was a concern but if things have worsened since then specifically among people that are Islamic I would be interested in hearing about it. There was for example gang based violence in N.Y.C. and a concern afterwards that the police were discriminatory as regards race but regardless greater policing was necessary and after that was addressed the crime statistics went down markedly. I have noticed this myself and I did walk through some areas before this was done where a person would realistically feel under threat and when that occurs of course it has to be addressed. Anywhere.
Sorry I dont agree with you and thats your choice I have seen and heard the opposite and NO I am not going to cut and paste proof ......my Daughter lives in London amongst it all .thats enough for me ..in my opinion , note I say my opinion that this is a bigger threat than OBama and I get weary of hearing the protection of it .......
I know where I live which as a large city should be reflective of numbers, there are bias incidents with every group and I'd have to read the statistics as to which group is affected the most. Within any ethnic group its usually between people of the same group as per criminal activity as is common with organized crime. In my neighborhood and others there are people that are Muslim and I have not noticed any difference in how they are treated or how they treat others. Like any other group the people (most are immigrants) who assimilate tend to do the best and certainly when they encourage their children to do so. There are specific schools for children that are Muslim but that would the same as per any other religious group and of course many parents that are Muslim don't send their children there. Most go to the same schools as anyone else. The EEOC has the same standards for any group and cannot have preferential treatment for any group of any kind. If you read their website they have specific regulations as to what is and what is not discrimination and they dismiss many cases they receive for just that reason.
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