I recently watched a weeklong series on PBS called “America at the Crossroads”. The reporting was standard fare for different aspects of the World Muslim Community living in the USA, viewed by those within the selected groups and without. On the evening they focused on the indigenous American Muslims, there were accounts from most every corner in every large city. As expected, there was no account from The Muslims of the Americas, the oldest and largest Muslim community in the country. Some statistics say we’re 5 Million , some add 2 more… others say we’re 10 million. We say we’re the largest Islamic group in America to date.

I recently watched a weeklong series on PBS called “America at the Crossroads”. The reporting was standard fare for different aspects of the World Muslim Community living in the USA, viewed by those within the selected groups and without. On the evening they focused on the indigenous American Muslims, there were accounts from most every corner in every large city. As expected, there was no account from The Muslims of the Americas, the oldest in the country and largest. Some statistics say we’re 5 Million , some add 2 more…others say we’re 10 million. We say we’re the largest Islamic group in America to date.

What a shame for the world of intellects and scholars to be deprived of our rich Islamic culture having evolved over the past 30 years. I would think it would be very beneficial towards their goal of reaching into the lives of American born Muslims (we, who know no other country or cultural background) to hear the story of our journey from the gross and vulgar, to the Islamic way of life that can and does bring out the best in society.

In the 60’s , when I embraced Al Islam , there were very few (openly) practicing Muslims on the streets of America. In Brooklyn New York, there was a place for Muslims to gather for Friday prayers but the women went into the building dressed as non- Muslims. Their Islamic attire was carried in, to be worn during the jumu’a prayer and a sermon which was in Arabic. All Khutbas are read in Arabic but the sermon should be understood in the language of the indigenous people, viz. English. People come together on Friday to learn how to live Islam , where ever their community. In became apparent that those who set up this place for religious education were content with their way of doing things despite the many challenging traditions from our Holy Nabi urging reform.

We were seen as troublesome for insisting that the basic sunnah practice should be complied with in letter and spirit. From this need, sprang the gathering of Muslims, in Brooklyn, to begin practicing Al-Islam on their own.

A few of these young people had studied Arabic for purposes beyond general use in salat and they read books to help hem understand how to set up an Islamic community. Unfortunately the books available were from Saudi Arabia and therefore Wahhabi in (mis)direction. We spent about ten years following what was taught in these books. The women dressed “light” , especially for work and the men stayed home , having been rejected from the general work force for (as per the religious practice) wearing beards. In those days beards were a not accepted-in the blue collar workplace-without going to court first. Most chose to stay huddled together, studying whatever books were available and enjoying the welfare system, set up to entrap such of us, socially and we eventually began twisting and damaging the way of Al-Islam from the straight path.

The well-intended budding community had no way of knowing the troubled waters they were entering as they devised, arranged and filled in the strands of the community’s fabric.

I would think my fellow Americans would be very happy to know that we survived those days of misunderstandings and foolish meanderings and come through it all to have the Truth [Haqq] of Islam being taught and practiced generation after generation. They’d, naturally, be interested to know that our youth are smarter than their parents, as was the norm amongst the American communities until recently . You might ask, “How did we fall through the cracks of media reporting on the development of Muslims in America?” It’s clear they know we exist. There’s been no shortage of negative press in the recent past, so I ask, “Why are there no accounts of our survival and growth in education? ”

Where are our noted professionals ? Does anyone wonder about the young ladies who grew up to be housewives first, then went on to pursue careers of their choice ? Surely, everyone did not do well, despite the overwhelming high expectations. Who knew, then, the mix of Islam and life as we knew it would be a toxic mix. It’s a wonder how we made it in light of the fact that Muslims from everywhere in the world have come to this country , mixed in, mingled and managed to be very quiet regarding the do’s and don’ts of Islam.

Don’t you think it would be fascinating to know what events occurred that got us turned around, so much so, that there’s no turning back- except to expect failure. I think my fellow Americans would be interested in knowing of the hardships that followed us across the United States, after leaving the Welfare System behind after ten to fifteen years of dependency. I could certainly tell of having an entire store aisle cleared of people because they feared the unfamiliar attire worn by myself and others who gracefully flowed down the store aisle. Yes, we modified our dress code , went for the jobs, taught our children to live in our country as Muslims citizens. Many of us returned to our original states to live together. Some of us lost family members on this journey. Some narrations read like the accounts of the pioneers from our American History books who traveled across the country facing losses along the way. Yes, I can see the interest, through the cracks. I don’t mean an investigative reporting on what’s been presented in the past as a result of Islamaphobia, where the interviewer’s goal is to strike down the account to fit an agenda.

I’d like to see us reported on with the intention to reveal an account about the best of the best people of mankind. The people who’ve been blessed with miraculous manifestations of seeing the Holy personal name of Allah in the heavens, on walls, etc. by Muslims and non Muslims.

Oh, what a cultural account ! What if the real story were told ? And the real question remains, why isn’t our story being presented alongside the others ? PBS may not have presented our case for pondering and discussion but this exclusion only broadens the lack of knowledge for their viewers- who might pass this means of edification to their neighbors and co-workers.

I certainly suspect that the difference between the common Muslims in this country and the Muslims of the Americas is the practice in letter an spirit of Islam which fosters a LOVE for our Holy Nabi Muhammad [salawat and salam be on him] . This love’s not like Hubb, generally known as love, for example, for one’s parents, or family members. This love sees no obstacle as formidable in the journey to The Most High Allah. At it’s height there’s fana fillah -annihilation in Him and at it’s beginning is the simple desire to seek Allah’s pleasure through emulating His Holy Rasul [salat and salam be on him]. This brings me to the point of why we’re excluded from these documentaries. Where there’s no compromise socially [the most obvious] there is worry that this will be attractive for other Muslims to follow - even bad press cannot darken the corridors of interest among Truth seekers. The fear is that the number of Muslims will increase, not only in number but, more importantly, in practice of Deen. This would be seen as a danger to present society. This would change the way we all live together, causing a major shift in society at large. The current trend has already declined “shamelessly” into individual groups of Muslims who contemplate the rights of people to choose how they want to impact society with their arrogant stand against the Law of Allah [rejection of Ten Commandments] leading to major transgressions against the Sunnah established by the Holy Last Messenger [salawat wa salam be on him].

How might a united body of Muslims and Christians who turn away from Riba’ effect this money driven society. Don’t you think people would be inclined to lean towards a people who know of a way to live life to it’s fullest and be free to utilize the best of today’s developments? I think so.

The fear of the dominance of Islam is fueled by the misunderstanding of Islam, much of which can be attributed to being targeted by the media in a negative light. We may not be shown on these popular shows but that will not stop the dominance of Islam. There is no hand over the Hand of Allahu Ta‘ala. He has created everything and never tires of maintaining His creation. Look into this yourself and find a glorious account.