Defining MUSLIM AMERICAN IDENTITY:
Defining MUSLIM AMERICAN IDENTITY: A preview into how it would unfold in generations to come and how to capitalize on it
Mohammad Akhtar, Ph.D
President, Muslim Council of America
Preamble : Islam as a unifying basis for Americanization? Muslim migrants came to USA predominantly about half a century ago. They showed remarkable adaptation to American ways within a decade or so after their arrival, when it came to perform in their jobs very much like Americans in their efficient handling and in American mannerism. Beyond that, have they become American at heart so to speak? Very sluggishly and very little indeed, which is quite normal . In our case, the big barrier to Americanization as Muslims mistakenly think is Islam, but actually underneath it is the same native old culture as is i...