September 5, 2009
Posted: September 4, 2009 06:02 PM
I had the distinct honor of being invited to address this
year's Iftar dinner at the Pentagon, together with Ms. Farah Pandith, the State
Department's Special Representative to Muslim Communities and Ms. Dalia
Mogahed, of the Gallup Corporation. In attendance were over 125 American
Muslims, members of every branch of the US military, and their guests from the
White House, Congress and other government agencies.
The evening provided an opportunity for reflection on the
changes that are occurring among American Muslims and in the US' relationship
with Islam.
When I first came to this city, over 30 years ago, there were
no Iftars, nor was there any formal recognition of Ramadan or the Eids by
anyone, anywhere. I can recall going to the Reagan White House to propose a
Presidential Eid message and being asked to write it. And then reminding them
each year after that. The practice was broadened and institutionalized during
the Clinton years, with President Bush adding an Iftar dinner, which he hosted
each year of his presidency.
At this point, there are Iftars all over this city--the White
House, State Department, Congress, National Security Agency, and more.
A primary factor accounting for this change and the growing
recognition being given to Ramadan, is the presence and vitality of a growing
Muslim community. There are thousands of Muslims serving in the US military and
hundreds serving in every branch and agency of the US Government. It is not
just that the US is heavily engaged in the Muslim World, it is that America's
Muslim community is no longer invisible. Their presence, hard work and
contributions to our country are being recognized. And with that, their faith
is being appreciated. A tribute to American Muslims, yes--but also a tribute to
the capacity of America to grow and change.
In many ways, this is a unique country. One of our most
enduring qualities is our openness and the absorptive character of our national
identity. Despite the persistent rantings of some bigots, no one religion,
ethnicity or culture defines us or limits who can be one of us.
America possesses an alchemy, of sorts, with its remarkable
capacity to transform people and itself. With citizenship you get more than a passport
and the right to vote--you become American. And that is not all, because, in
the process, America becomes changed. As each new wave of immigrants has come
to our shores and become Americans, the very character and definition of the
country and its culture has changed. Look at our food, listen to our music, see
our style--in all of these are the threads woven from the many diverse peoples
who have come to make up the rich and diverse nature of America today.
It is a lesson, some are slow to learn, but learn it they
must, and learn it they do. Twenty-four years ago, for example, I was called to
Dearborn Michigan, where the leading candidate for mayor in that year's
election had just sent out a mailing to every household in the city. Blazoned
across the front page were the words "The Arab Problem"--which he
went on to describe as the danger posed by a large influx of Arab immigrants
flooding the city, who don't share "our darn good way of life."
As that community grew and prospered and changed, the city and
mayor changed, as well. Years later, I went to Dearborn to receive, from that
same mayor, the official "masbaha" of the city of Dearborn. He opened
the ceremony with greetings in Arabic, quoted the Qur'an and then spoke of the
contributions Arab Americans had made to his city. (Note: in this year's
Dearborn elections, five of the fourteen candidates for city council are Arab
Americans!)
On another occasion, I was called to Michigan to deal with a
crisis that had erupted in the schools during Ramadan. Muslim children who
wanted to fast had asked to have a study period during lunchtime. Instead, they
were made to sit in a corner of the cafeteria. Other children began to taunt
them, some threw food at them. Fights broke out and some of the Muslim children
had been suspended.
When I met with the Arab American children and their parents,
one 14 year old girl told me that she had spoken with the principal and
suggested a solution. The problem, she said, was that the non-Muslim children
"don't understand our culture. Maybe we can help them learn about
us." To which the principal responded "our job is to teach you our
culture, not to learn your culture".
That 14 year old Yemeni American girl was right and her
principal was dead wrong.
When America is at its best, it is growing, learning, changing
and becoming more diverse and better.
And so, as I looked out at the Pentagon audience of young men
and women, dressed in the uniform of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and saw
the pride their commanding officers had in them, and heard the stories of their
service and valor, I thought of that 14-year-old Michigan Muslim girl (who,
incidentally, is now a grown woman teaching US military personnel about Arabs
and Islam)--and of the America that is embracing Muslims, transforming itself
and becoming new. And I was proud.