Reflections of an American Muslim

I am an American Muslim. In 1963, I came here from Pakistan to study engineering and never went back. I am a US citizen since 1973 when Richard Nixon was our president and the Vietnam War was still raging. Almost sixty years have gone by but I still remember little John John saluting his father’s flag draped coffin. That was my first year in the States. Now John John is gone too. All of us, sooner or later, have to meet our Lord. Some die famously but a lot of humanity just passes away almost unnoticed.

 When I came here, very few people knew about Islam or Muslims. I was often finding myself explaining about my faith and my people. In college, in the workplace and in transit I would strike conversations, which would eventually lead, to my impromptu one-on-one discourses on Islam. It did not matter how little I myself knew about my faith and the history of its development. There were some questions that were asked frequently. So, I was forced to bone up on the answer to them in a hurry. Sort of the so-called FAQ’s one sees today when one is jetting through the electronic airwaves of Internet. These questions would range from the basic beliefs to common practices.

 Fast forward to the 21st Century! Specifically to the year 2002. This was when a local newspaper invited me to write a column on Islam for them. So, now I was about to be published! It was a huge responsibility. Representing not only yourself but a whole community. About a religion that was universal. There were millions of people who knew much more than me about Islam. I do not know whether I was in the right place at the right time, or vice-a-versa.

 After much sole-searching I agreed to take the responsibility and decided that, someday, I will write a book on my experiences as an immigrant Muslim American. This article is the beginning of that decision after nineteen years of consideration.

Unlike the sixties and early seventies of the 20th century, most people in 2002 knew something about Islam and Muslims and I did not need to explain the basic beliefs and common practices any more. Yes indeed, I had to spend much more time in defending my faith and the practices of the silent majority of Muslims under the changed circumstances post 9-11. 

However, that is not my topic. [There were and still are several excellent web-sites operated by Muslims that explain all aspects of Islam and Muslims much better than I can.]

My purpose is to report as clearly and accurately as I can the thought processes and emotional experiences that I had encountered over the nearly sixty years of my life in this country.

[To be continued]