Islamic Communities in the United States: Issues of Religion and Political Identity

Abstract

This chapter addresses the issues of religion and political identity among three Islamic groups in the United States—the African American Muslims, African Immigrant Muslims, and the Arab community. Who are these groups, and how do they define themselves? Are they Americans or Muslims, and to what extent do they engage in the civil society of America? Can Muslims retain their Islamic identities, and participate effectively in American politics? Would their loyalty be questioned? Identity here refers to how an individual and the community are shaped and reshaped by each other. That is, what makes a person a Muslim, what differentiates a Muslim community from a non-Muslim community, and how does a Muslim relate to his/her community?1