Asalaamu alaikum,
I am glad you have posted about this program. I also watched it on Sunday and found it very thought provoking program. I think it is an important story and I am glad they are doing a segment about it.
It is very true that Muslims in America are often surrounded by a type of fear and hatred in the community at large. Certainly this is not on the part of all members of society (as was nicely demonstrated by some of the members who were called to testify in court and did not say anything to demean the Muslims or the religion of Islam, and also those in the community who ralied to support tolerance and the protection of freedom to practice religion, for example).
But this fear/hatred is on the part of a significant number of individuals who happen to be outspoken against Muslims, and are often quite ignorant about Islam. Many of these people have no understanding whatsoever about what the religion of Islam really is, even to the point of beleiving that the Muslims worship a completely different God altogether, among other incorrect assumptions.
Many are also responding to the fact that America/Americans have been targeted by some Muslims in attacks and anti-American sentiments are expressed by many in the Muslim world, etc. Which is often compounded by propegation of intentionally overly negative stories by the media, highlighting bad behaviors of some Muslims which is usually due to negative cultural beliefs or ignorance within the Muslim community, and presenting this as Islam.
Some are also responding to what they have been told by other members of the clergy/Christians/Jews/etc, who intentionally spread incorrect information about Islam to divert people from the faith or cause them to form a bad opinion about Islam from the get go.
I am an American and I can attest to the fact that due to all of these, and potentially other factors as well, one grows up in this society with a general knee-jerk reaction that Muslims/Islam is something to be afraid of. I was a kid during the time of the Iran hostages, the Iran/Iraq war, seeing images of the Ayatollah, when there were constant plane hijackings and bombings attempts in NYC and other places, and these news stories had a direct impact on my psyche. Islam was seemingly portrayed, and is still portrayed to a large extent these days, as a violent, oppressive, intolerant, backwards, vindictive religion, completely foreign to the way of life in the US. Certain words, like Shariah Law, Hijab, or even just Muslim or Allah Akbar would bring up negative feelings & connotations.
When I completed university and joined the Peace Corps I found out my assignment was to be in Niger, Africa - a Muslim country. My initial reaction was along the lines of - was this going to be dangerous for me as a woman? How would I be treated? Would the people there hate me and would I feel oppressed? However, I was still quite eager and interested to go there, and was looking forward to having the chance to learn more about Islam among other things. I even brought an English translation of the Quran with me. But still, those initial questions remained . . .
As it turns out, I ended up finding the fears and reservations I had about Muslims and Islam were completely unfounded. I was fortunate to live among some people who were sincere adherants to Islam, and I was fully welcomed and always treated with the utmost respect. I learned so much from their excellent character and their ways of interacting with others in such a positive and beneficial way. I also learned about Muhammad and the pilars of Islam, even fasting during Ramadan and learning all of the prayers. Even though it would not be until years later that I would embrace Islam as my own religion, I came away from the experience with the opinion that Islam was the best religion in the world. I also formed a great appreciation for the fact that the Islam I saw in practice and the Muslims I had the opportunity to live with were nothing like what was presented to me previously.
It can be very difficult for an American revert to Islam, as they often have to deal with a very deep rejection and sometimes hatred from Americans in their own culture or family, as well as sometimes being also being rejected by Arabic/Muslim community where some feel that the religion is supposed to be for them, so who are you, the "American enemy", to become a Muslim?
When it comes to performing more effective dawah, I think it is important for Muslims to keep in mind how little the average American really knows about Islam, and that often what they do know is twisted or innacurate information. How best to bridge this divide that exists?
I think part of what can be effective is just being a good example with your life, being like a "model citizen" who really embodies the great Islamic characteristics. It often happens that a person who has had no prior interaction with any Muslim will have a huge change of opinion about Islam when they meet someone who is Muslim and exhibits excellent character, generosity, politeness, etc.
Part of it also is in providing more information about what the foundations of Islam are, educating people about the prophets in Islam, which are the same as those in the Abrahamic tradition. When someone has an incorrect assumption, or is propogating incorrect information about Islam or what Muslims believe, we need to do what we can to correct that information.
I think what can also be very effective is to demonstrate to an American the things that are found in much of the U.S. legal system and foundations of the government, such as what is found in the Constitution, has in common with Islam. The fact that Islam actually protects human rights (and the rights of all creatures), including freedom to practice religion, is often met with surprise. I think books such as the one titled "What's Right with Islam is What's Right with America" can be quite effective in this regard.
I particularly liked what the Imam of the mosque commented on regarding the continued pursuit of the right to build the mosque in the courts. That he was not going to give up, because the laws in the U.S. will always support the right to build the mosque as the Constitution protects the right of freedom of religion (and even the labor laws back this up requiring employers not to discriminate on the basis of religion and must provide employees with what they need to practice their faith, as well as the fact that hate crimes such as the attempted arson are to be prosecuted by the police, etc). So in pursuing this court case he will end up winning - not only with the right to build the mosque and practice Islam in the U.S. But also by demonstrating that the Constitution supports Islam fully, and so it will be as though he has gained the Constitution as well! Allahu Akbar
It is really a struggle to try to combat the preconceptions based on ignorance that exists in all levels, and the fact remains that no matter how good our attempts at dawah are there will always remain those who will keep the stance of being opposed to Islam. We see numerous examples of that in the Quran and during the time of the prophet, peace & blessings of Allah be upon him.
I apologize for such a long response, but I really feel this is an important subject to consider. It will help for us all to reflect on what is the current situation, what are the causes for it, and how we can better spread the truth about Islam in the world. Also, for Muslims who live in the U.S., to consider what we can do to protect and guard our Iman and our own selves, as it can be truly difficult to live in this environment, even though we can be sure our rights will be protected under the laws currently established in the country.
May Allah protect and guide us all
Wasalaam
