I had an idea a few years ago while I was an advisor of Muslim Youth of North America. There had been a trip to China led by Dr. Umar Farooq Abdallah. It was a tour of Muslim China. I thought it was a great idea. I thought that there should be more tours to places of importance to Muslim history led by scholars. It would be great for American high school age Muslims who need to connect to and develop a sense pride in a Muslim Identity.
Its not just simply an ignorance of Muslim History that can be remedied by a class or lecture. Its tough growing up as part of a minority that is often vilified. It leads to a desire to deny that identity. Nobody wants to be an outcast, especially a youth. What can be done to replace a desire to deny it with a desire to belong to it? Maybe a fun trip that allows a youth to experience the beauty and achievements of Muslim history.
This idea came back to me while I was listening to the Pakistani ambassador. I thought of making a much narrower focus of the trip. I think I can design a tour for the children of Indian and Pakistani-Americans. I was thinking about my daughter, and how the more removed we get from the country of origin, the more difficult it is to connect to that aspect of our identity. A cultural festival or sattelite TV or a family wedding can only do so much. Unless the youth actually visits the motherland and beholds its achievements as well as its failures, that identity will be superficial. And most likely will not be passed on to the generation to come.
My family was able to go often. I think I know my roots. Not many are as lucky. What if they don't have the means? What if they can only go once in their life? Well, that trip better be a good one, especially if its at the right age when a youth that belongs to a minority is going through an inner struggle to sort an identity. It would be an awesome service. I think I put together something like this for the newly reinstated Pakistan Culture Society as long as the Ambassador can help with some logistical support.
