american muslim future

the following is what i submitted to MSG as my vision for muslims in america 50 years from now: #1- muslim political empowerment: leadership voice starts to shift from immigrant leaders to converts like imam siraj, zaid shakir, hamza yusuf. 2nd generation immigrant’s children and african-american muslims become a visible part of established political parties, formulate clear opinions, and chose sides in established political issues: environment, homosexuality, abortion, religion (same issues – within the system). Some activists among them redefine the established political positions through selections from quran and sunnah working outside the system (same issues – outside the system). A couple among us start thinking about issues that existing political parties don’t address working outside the system (new issues – outside the system)... #2- america in general: young people turn to the third parties, race relations get better but gated communities create a bigger economic divide, education. it will lead to almost as big of a change as the urban to suburban shift changed race dynamics. and economic crisis grows as young drop outs are not able to find work in a more specialized and technical economy. u.s. corporate interests dominate global economic, political, and environmental policies. the reaction will grow. support of third parties will grow... #3- muslims in general: the divide between muslims who embrace western culture and rejectionists grow. various anti-west islamic movements gain a voice due to the resistance to american imperialism and find followers among those not able to understand how to function in new economic and cultural institutions. the society in which they live becomes indistinguishable from west because cultural institutions are dominated by those educated in the west and information/communication interconnectivity enabled by internet and satellite tv...