The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Islam in America
Comparative World Religions/Hajduk/Spring 2001
Reading Assignment: Please read "Struggling Against Stereotypes", "Emerging Islamic Infrastructure" and "Muslims After Oklahoma City: Incidents of Anti-Muslim Threats" in the Islam section of the CD-Rom titled On Common Ground.
1. Please record any media or literature references you have encountered that relate to the concept of jihad. If you haven't had any, discuss your understanding of this concept. What questions do you have about jihad? (Come up with at least one!) Do any other faith traditions have something similar to this concept? If so, explain. If not, why do you think that they don't?
2. Explain why Edward Said calls the prejudices against Muslims, the last sanctioned racism. Do you agree with his statement? If so, why? If not, why not? (Be specific in your response!)
3. What are some of the results of the perception that Muslims are dangerous? After reading about the series of threats towards the Muslim community after the Oklahoma City bombing, what constructive ways are being employed to combat these stereotypes? What other suggestions can you offer to help break down these misnomers and misunderstandings?
4. What are three significant events that have affected Muslims in America since the 1950s? How have these different events affected the Muslim community in America? Have they all had beneficial results? Explain.
5. Do emerging masjids and Islamic schools increase the potential for a more pluralistic society in America or do they increase the potential for more incidences of misunderstanding? Explain what variables play a role in how these different institutional structures are received by communities.
6. What is your understanding of the following statement, "enabling Muslims to explore the roots of their faith more freely is, in my mind, America's gift to the Muslims." Do you think any faith community might be able to make a similar statement? Why or why not?