Reflecting on Islam in America July 5- 7, 2002 • Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

"The strength of America is in its diversity, and this diversity includes the
Islamic component, which is part of the American mainstream now." So
proclaimed ISNA secretary general Sayyid M. Syeed while inaugurating
the sixth annual ISNA Islam in America Conference, which is now part of
the American academic calendar.
Held in Chicago on July 5-7, four conferences were featured: Islam in
America, Islam among Latino Americans, Islam in American Prisons, and
Muslim Refugee Resettlement in America. The mainstream American media
was there in full to cover these events.
l n his inaugural address, Syeed said that Muslims must continue to
shape their public identity as they further integrate into mainstream
American society. He added that while public perceptions about Muslims
and Islam have improved over the last 30 years, there is still work to be
done. He stated that ISNA will continue to serve Muslim Americans and
promote understanding among all Americans, and that INSA has received
a federal faith-based initiative grant for a project.
Mary Ann Peters, American ambassador to Bangladesh, remarked in
her keynote address that America derives its strength from diversity and
stressed that there is no acceptable level of intolerance in America. She
informed the audience that she had reached out to over 2,000 Bangladeshi
religious leaders to promote womens' rights in their country, and that pro­
moting democracy overseas serves American interests. She would like to
see better relations between the U.S. and Muslim countries, and mentioned
that the American government has accepted her suggestion of regular
exchanges of religious scholars between the two countries.
Shaikh Hamza Yusuf focused on the Prophet's conduct and reminded
everyone that he never repaid persecution, insults, or injury with anger or
in kind. Addressing the mainstream media's treatment of Muslims, Yusuf
said that instead of simply criticizing the media, Muslims must form an
organization similar to the Anti-Defamation League that could correct and
inform their detractors. Dr. David Schwartz, another keynote speaker who
recently retired as religious services administrator for the Federal Bureau of
Prisons, said that Islam is a positive element in inmates' lives. He vehemently
rejected the insinuation that American prisons are being used as ...