2008 Woodie Awards
Speaker discusses Islam's presence in African culture
Megan Weiland
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Campus
"In northern Africa, the conflict is real," Mazrui said. "There is a conflict between people who want secular states and those who want their states to be Muslim. In sub-Saharan Africa, ethnic conflict is more serious."
He explained that indigenous peoples are more tolerant when it comes to religion.
"(In America), we live in a secular society," Mazrui said. "Imagine if a presidential candidate said, 'Incidentally, my wife is Shi'ite Muslim.' That would be the end."
According to Mazrui, this type of society is harder on African and Arab immigrants than other races because of the fear or terrorism. Yet with more than 6 million Muslims within the American borders, he asked, why don't Americans experience the same violence other European countries face from radicals?
"One is the class structure," he said. "American Muslims often belong to a higher social class. Then there is the ideological factor. American Muslims often vote Republican whereas European Muslims often vote left."
He continued to say there is also the adversarial character of European Muslims and the long historical associations Muslims have with their European host countries.
Mazrui added that although many Muslims among the African American population have been mainstreamed, especially the children, Muslims in general still have trouble with accepting certain fault lines such as between sects (Sunni or Shi'ite), between genders, race and origins.
"Muslims study the Jews," he said. "We want to know how do they succeed so well in (American) society? They have been more successful than anyone else in business and universities; everything except capturing the presidency."
Mazrui said the Jews are the ultimate case to study if you want to be diverse but successful in America.
"In general, the proposition is that Jews are the supreme example of the American dream," he said. "Blacks are the supreme example of American achievement. Muslims fall right in between."
Mazrui ended his speech with a plea for the different races and religions to learn from each other.
"God intended these societies to learn from each other," he said. "The Qu'ran states 'We have created you for diversity.' Blacks have to learn from whites. Whites have to learn from Muslims, Muslims from Christians, Christians from Jews and so on. I hope in this room alone, there is an attempt to learn from diversity and that in this evening, an attempt has been made."
Ann Cox, a graduate student, said although she was required to attend the speech for a class, she still found it thought provoking.
"While listening to the speech I started really thinking about the relationship between the Muslim world and the United States," she said. "He put a lot of things into perspective for me."
He explained that indigenous peoples are more tolerant when it comes to religion.
"(In America), we live in a secular society," Mazrui said. "Imagine if a presidential candidate said, 'Incidentally, my wife is Shi'ite Muslim.' That would be the end."
According to Mazrui, this type of society is harder on African and Arab immigrants than other races because of the fear or terrorism. Yet with more than 6 million Muslims within the American borders, he asked, why don't Americans experience the same violence other European countries face from radicals?
"One is the class structure," he said. "American Muslims often belong to a higher social class. Then there is the ideological factor. American Muslims often vote Republican whereas European Muslims often vote left."
He continued to say there is also the adversarial character of European Muslims and the long historical associations Muslims have with their European host countries.
Mazrui added that although many Muslims among the African American population have been mainstreamed, especially the children, Muslims in general still have trouble with accepting certain fault lines such as between sects (Sunni or Shi'ite), between genders, race and origins.
"Muslims study the Jews," he said. "We want to know how do they succeed so well in (American) society? They have been more successful than anyone else in business and universities; everything except capturing the presidency."
Mazrui said the Jews are the ultimate case to study if you want to be diverse but successful in America.
"In general, the proposition is that Jews are the supreme example of the American dream," he said. "Blacks are the supreme example of American achievement. Muslims fall right in between."
Mazrui ended his speech with a plea for the different races and religions to learn from each other.
"God intended these societies to learn from each other," he said. "The Qu'ran states 'We have created you for diversity.' Blacks have to learn from whites. Whites have to learn from Muslims, Muslims from Christians, Christians from Jews and so on. I hope in this room alone, there is an attempt to learn from diversity and that in this evening, an attempt has been made."
Ann Cox, a graduate student, said although she was required to attend the speech for a class, she still found it thought provoking.
"While listening to the speech I started really thinking about the relationship between the Muslim world and the United States," she said. "He put a lot of things into perspective for me."
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