"Muslim Assimilation"

There has been slew of accusations against Muslim Americans that they are different from other people, that their beliefs, customs and their way of life is not compatible with the Western way of life

Following comments were made by the readers in response to an Article Muslims form coordinated Bay Area network by Matthai Kuruvila. The article appeared in Sep 2, 2006 issue of San Francisco Chronicle

 “Muslims never assimilate into main stream society because of their religious values and Shariah laws”. Another reader suggested that, “Muslims have made NO, ZERO, NADA attempt to assimilate? In fact, to assimilate is in direct violation of your beliefs, isn t it?”

However, one the experts on Islam argues that, “In many ways American Muslims are very much assimilated (integrated) in this country which most non-Muslims simply don’t understand” Paul Barrett talking about his book American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, Washington DC, Feb 11, 2007

During Jan 2010, a group of Canadian and U.S. Islamic leaders issued a religious edict, declaring that “An attack by extremists on the two countries would constitute an attack on the 10 million Muslims living in North America”

"In our view, these attacks are evil, and Islam requires Muslims to stand up against this evil," We are part of this society," he said. "This is my home, and if anybody attacks on Canada, in fact, attacks on my home". The imams said it is a duty of every Muslim in Canada and the U.S. to safeguard the two countries

"It is religious obligation upon Muslims, based upon the Qur anic teachings, that we have to be loyal to the country where we live," said Soharwardy. "We have no problems in Canada; we can practice our religion freely."

 “Let s start with most important thing which is the unsung heroes of the post 911 world and that is American Muslim community. If the American Muslim community had been as susceptible to the toxin called Al Qaida, blood would be running in the streets. We would had more 911…” Reuel Gerecht, Al Qaida vs United States, Washington DC, Dec 2, 2004

May be it’s the other way around, as Samuel Huntington mentions in his book, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World, Page 318 . "A multi-cultural America is impossible because a non-Western America is not America"