Of course there are many unique circumstances within the Muslim community in the United States that do not challenge other ethnic or religious communities. These include efforts and opinions of women in the community. Traditionally in America women have manned the first layer of local politics, and they are known to have savvy political opinions and sufficient first hand knowledge of the issues to participate in local campaigns and to organize both men and women on the issues. (For more information on the Islamic stance regarding this read the Fatwa on Women Holding Public Positions). Because of an existing exaggerated 'parochialism' in the Muslim world, we fear that once we lower the gates and let Muslim women out of the kitchen, Muslim communities will be faced with something akin to a mass liberation movement. This prevents us from utilizing a huge and important resource. Woman power is the energy that has kept American politics relevant to American community life. When you look around, you recognize that mothers are the primary energy of communities. While husbands are working, wives are at the neighborhood PTA (Parents Teacher's Association) and party meetings discussing schools, taxes, lunch meals, health care, transportation, and other important issues.
| The Muslim world is suffering from the absence of women from the political sphere, and hence the lack of a well-developed civil society |
Because of the existing traditionalism in the Muslim world-which deep rooted in the cultural milieu-the Muslim world is suffering from the absence of women from the political sphere, and hence the lack of a well-developed civil society. This is not to imply that women are not capable of much, they certainly are, but we are here addressing the more traditional approach.
Politics in America have both spoken and unspoken rules. Jumping into the fray without knowing the rules can prove disastrous--even if your candidate wins. Communities are routinely rewarded and punished, and often ignored by elected officials and their cronies, regardless of whether they supported and voted for the winning candidate. Take, for example, the African American community. African Americans are known to traditionally vote as Democrats, yet Democrats very visibly cater to Jews, a minority, over African Americans and women. When contracts for road and other repairs and improvements that increase property values never find their way into certain businesses or neighborhoods, this means that the leaders of these communities have little influence. It could also mean that they backed the wrong candidate and are paying the political price.
| If we think that every functioning organization is in unity we are wrong and if we wait for unity to build machinery it is a good chance that we will be waiting a very long time. |
Other religious and ethnic minority communities in the United States were long in training before they ventured out into partisan politics, even on the local level. Prior to such involvement, communities would spend considerable time building their "machinery." This machinery is the mechanism through which the community's political activism is organized and operates. It is what Muslims like to call unity, even though it has nothing at all to do with unity, and everything to do with organization. If we think that every functioning organization is in unity we are wrong and if we wait for unity to build machinery it is a good chance that we will be waiting a very long time.
