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Dawn - Nov. 23, 2004
American Muslims' anxieties
By Akhtar Mahmud Faruqui
Election 2004 is over. Never before have the rural red - the Republican supporters, and the urban blue - the Democratic voters in the US were seen in such combative mood, locked in a fierce battle for the White House. Visionary wisdom was missing as grimly faced aides resorted to emotional catch phrases and commonplace buzzwords during the days leading up to the elections.
The outcome was difficult to predict to the last. Yet, in the wee hours of November 3 President Bush triumphantly emerged as the winner. As an analyst observed, the last 48 hours saw a marked decline of the secular intelligentsia and a visible rise of the religious right. Fifty-one per cent of the rural red had voiced unequivocal support for President Bush.
Conceding defeat, a teary-eyed Senator John Kerry "talked about the danger of division in our country and the need - desperate need - for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together" in his congratulatory call to President Bush. "Today, I hope we can begin the healing..."
Healing indeed was a pressing need. Election 2004 created an unprecedented stir in the US and beyond - across the Atlantic and the Pacific. Understandably so. The election's outcome was to impact Americans and non-Americans, though in varying degrees and different ways. Not surprisingly, both the Americans and the non-Americans aired their views.
The Muslim Americans voted en bloc for Senator Kerry. Demonstrating their collective strength, thanks to the sustained strivings of the American Muslim Task force (AMT) headed by Dr Agha Saeed, a Pakistani. According to Dr Lisette Poole of California State University Howard, Muslim Americans and Arab Muslims "are firmly embarked on the road of political involvement".
The Muslim support for Kerry raises the crucial question: Will the defeat of the Senator adversely affect Muslim Americans? Will the anticipated introduction of Patriot Act II by the triumphant Bush administration compound their problems? And will the president, who visited a mosque in the immediate post-Sept 11 period and described Islam as a religion of peace, continue to hold the Muslims in a similar esteem?
In his victory speech, Bush gave a hint of his intentions as he outlined his priorities: "Reaching these goals will require the broad support of the Americans. So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust."
Later, at his first press conference after re-election, the President remarked: "I will be your president regardless of your faith, and I don't expect you to agree with me necessarily on religion. As a matter of fact, no president should ever try to impose religion on our society...The great thing that unites is the fact you can worship freely if you choose..."
Scrapping Patriot Act could lend meaning to this resolve. 'Healing wounds' will, inter alia, require rapid restoration of civil rights of all American citizens and treating them at par with others. An equally paramount need of the time is to deal with the terrorists with an iron hand without blurring the distinction between genuine freedom fighters and adventurous, hardcore hoodlums.
Dr M. A. Muqtedar Khan, an educationist, says: "The American identity is gradually changing. What we saw on November 2 was just the tip of the iceberg. American Muslims have to think hard about what position they wish to occupy in the New Republic and fight even harder to get it. American Muslims must respect the diversity within the community and use it as a strategic asset. American Muslims will likely face a tough future."
While such observations carry considerable weight, the fact remains that the bloc vote has done Muslims more good than harm. It also holds the promise of precipitating a wholesome change. Its immediate benefits enunciated by an AMT supporter, can be summed up as follows:
1) Self-correction - the errors and omissions of 2000 were corrected in 2004 and broader consultation has resulted in better results.
2) Environment - they are beginning to understand America and America is beginning to understand Islam and Muslims.
3) Contextualization - even though Bush won the election, about half the country voted against him. The Muslims were not alone and isolated as they would have been had they voted for a third party.
4) Maturity - they have learnt to agree and disagree without a split.
It is for American Muslims to transform the 'worst of times' into the 'best of times' by reaching out to fellow Americans and present the peaceful face of Islam. As for Pakistani Americans, President Bush's victory should signify the end of the roller-coaster equation that has characterized ties between Washington and Islamabad in the past.
Akhtar Mahmud Faruqui is Editor of Pakistan Link Weekly, Los Angeles, CA
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