Krista's Journal (September 24, 2009)
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A Creative Convergence
The people below are a few of the hundreds of voices we heard in response to a query we extended to Muslims a few months ago. We asked them to reflect on their lived experience of Islam, of what it means — in a daily, particular way — to be part of what is often referred to in the abstract as "the Muslim world."We released some of their stories two weeks ago for our program called "Revealing Ramadan." For this week's adventure, we've pulled together rich and varied insights into the nature and meaning of Muslim identity — in nine very different American lives.
There are some recurring themes: how September 11, 2001 imprinted them personally, and the complicated experience of immigration and being a practicing Muslim in the United States today. Each of these Muslims' experiences embodies the breadth of humanity of this faith — sharing the ordinary, as well as sophisticated aspects of Islam that are often obscured by headlines or platitudes. And, they offer glimpses inside the varied human reality of what is often referred to politically, in the singular, as "the Muslim world."
Wajahat Ali
Fremont, California
"As a Muslim American writer of Pakistani descent, I've tried to encapsulate the tensions and divides that exist within the community but are rarely aired…"
Samar Jarrah
Port Charlotte, Florida
"…being a Muslim in America makes me a better Muslim. A more hopeful one."
Maria Romero
Kirkland, Washington
"Living in Seattle makes it easier to be Muslim, I think."
Ny'Kisha Pettiford
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"I walk a line daily between who Muslims are and what they are perceived to be."
Allee Ramadhan
Derwood, Maryland
"…I see man as pursued by the four horsemen of destruction: arrogance, ignorance, greed, and envy."
Reuben Jackson
Washington, D.C.
"I honestly believe that Islam has made me a more patient, less angry man."
Feruze Faison
St. Albans, New York
"Being Muslim and a lesbian has not been a challenge for me…"
Ibrahim Al-Marashi
Madrid, Spain
"I found that a better description for this dichotomy as 'static Islam' versus "dynamic Islam."
Basem Hassan
Franklin Park, New Jersey
"We are the fruit of the American melting pot, where the divisive cultures of our parents' homelands are foreign to us."
I Recommend:
» Expressions of Muslim Identity
The voices in this program are only a sample of the many thoughtful reflections we received about being Muslim — both in the U.S. and throughout the world. see and hear the rest on this map, and tell us your story.
The Revealing Ramadan Podcast
Get it here:
iTunes 
RSS
Two days before Ramadan began, we decided to produce a special podcast featuring the voice of one Muslim per day for Islam's holiest month. You can subscribe and hear 30 Muslims share their personal reflections about the challenges and beauty of Ramadan. And, don't forget, we continue to collect your reflections about Ramadan. » Share your story and images too.