Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Notes on Revolutionary Suicide | Thomas Friedman Exclusive | Why Muslims Divorce
FALL 2012
What happens if...
PLUS: Notable Muslim-American
Politicians
What's at Stake for Muslims?
Obama Wins?Loses?
2 | T h e i s l a m i c m o n T h l y s u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 3
ReAL StoRieS. ReAL DRAmA.
Join us to hear our new podcast!
tsaml.org
editorial
The u.s. presidential election cycle is a unique political event. spanning more than 18 months, each nomi-
nated candidate from the two major parties can spend more than a billion dollars to vie for the presidency. The size and scale of the process dwarfs most other elections around the world by orders of magnitude. While there is no doubt the stakes are high for the candidates and their respective political parties, the question for most americans is: What does it mean for them? as Barack obama and mitt rom-ney make their case, this magazine sets forth three distinct points of views about what their election may or may not mean for america at large, and for muslims in america in specific. Zaheer ali argues that not only do elections matter, but also that obama matters for muslims in america. mohamed alo, a longtime supporter of the republican Party, makes the case for why romney is better positioned to address
issues that matter to muslims. Finally, mohamed Fadel argues that while obama’s personal views may align better with mus-lim sensibilities on a range of issues, the nation’s underlying political infrastructure make his election inconsequential. Fadel’s analysis concludes that muslims need to address certain underlying constraints within the political machinery before par-ticipation in elected office is meaningful. This brings to light the place of muslims in american politics. While most have heard of high-profile muslims in politics, including representatives Keith ellison and andre carson, and secretary of state hillary rodham clinton’s Deputy chief of staff huma abedin, few have heard of the accomplishments of so many others who work tirelessly as public servants. We share the inspiring stories of seven notable muslims involved on the local level. Turning to america’s relationship with muslims globally, this issue features an
exclusive interview with Thomas Fried-man. We ask Friedman to walk us through a number of scenarios that synthesize for-eign policy, energy policy and the role of america vis-à-vis the muslim world in a rapidly changing global environment. We also ask Friedman to evaluate the chal-lenges facing american democracy. Zaid hassan explores the aftermath of the first year of the arab spring, looking specifically at the issue of suicide and the significance of mohamed Bouazizi’s act in the larger context of revolution, resistance and theology. his wide-ranging analysis represents a critical look at an issue that raises numerous conflicted feelings across the muslim world. salma hasan ali profiles a leading pho-tographer who captures the essence of life in his community through beautiful pho-tos. and hala Durrah shares a personal and touching account about her daughter’s fight for life.
What happens if...Obama wins? or Loses?What's at Stake for Muslims?
Notes on Revolutionary Suicide | Thomas Friedman Exclusive | Why Muslims Divorce
FALL 2012
What happens if...
PLUS: Notable Muslim-American
Politicians
What's at Stake for Muslims?
Obama Wins?Loses?
4 | T h e i s l a m i c m o n T h l y s u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 5
Amina Chaudary, Founder, Editor-in-Chief [email protected]
Haroon Moghul, Senior Editor [email protected]
Souheila Al-Jadda, Senior Editor [email protected]
Michael Vicente Perez, Senior Editor [email protected]
Arsalan Iftikhar, Senior Editor [email protected]
Aasil Ahmad, Associate Editor [email protected]
Sana Saeed, Features (Profiles) [email protected]
Abed Bhuyan, Features (Ask the Expert) [email protected]
Arifa Chaudhry, Chief Sub-Editor [email protected]
Aisha Khan, Sub-Editor
Lauren Grilli, cover Design concept
Anna Byun, layout and Design
Asya Saeed, Design assistance
Contributing Editors:salma hasan ali
Wajahat aliazeem ibrahim
manal omarhussein rashidazhar usmanFaisal matadar
Advisory Board:Firas Ahmad, Director
[email protected] armstrong
akbar ahmadumar Faruq abd-allah
John espositosherman JacksonBruce lawrence
aftab ahmad maliksulayman nyang
Farid senzai
The islamic monthly is an independent, u.s.-based publication that fosters public discussion on a broad range of issues and con-cerns related to muslims in the modern world. The magazine was
launched in January 2011 as an effort to create a forum for the free exchange of ideas, perspectives and opinions. We, at The islamic monthly, do not seek to be the sole voice of islam or the muslim
community. rather, the magazine is part of an ongoing experiment of a free muslim press eager to build on the rich tradition of public discourse found in islamic and Western history. We firmly believe that an honest discourse is only possible when we open ourselves to response, criticism, feedback and debate. in this spirit we invite
our readers, supporters and critics to participate in this process.
The islamic monthly Po Box 390032
cambridge, ma 02139
special thanks to:
Sarah FoundationFoundation for Intelligent Giving (FIG)
Hasnia FoundationMuhammad Munir and Rehana Akhtar
Tayyib Rana and Zahra Zafar Drs. Asra and Muzammil Ahmed
Dr. Omar B. LateefDr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry
Mr. Akhtar AliRehan and Fauzia Dawer
The islamic monthly is an independent media orga-nization. like other independent media organizations
in the united states, we accept contributions from individuals or foundations who support our efforts.
our donors all understand and appreciate that while their contributions help sustain the publication, they
do not influence our editorial direction.
PHOTO CREDITS, P. 5-7
pg. 5Obama photo: istockphoto.com/EDStockFriedman: Amina ChaudaryShahidul Alam: Rahnuma AhmedRobots: istockphoto.com/NLshop
pg. 6Design by Lauren Grilli
pg. 7Donky: Manny FranciscoSuicide fire: istockphoto.com/Alija Books: istockphoto.com/Ytwong
Views expressed in The islamic monthly do not necessarily represent the views of the editorial or advisory board.
intelligent perspectives on politics, culture and society
Letters to the [email protected]
www.theislamicmonthly.com
copyright The islamic monthly 2012. all rights reserved.
HIGHLIGHTS
Obama: DOes he neeD tO win Or lOse tO help issues that matter mOst tO muslims?
exclusive: thOmas FrieDman – america anD it's Future with the muslim wOrlD
Three authors offer their own points of view arguing three different cases. Zaheer Ali offers an argument that Obama's victory is crucial for the issues that matter most to Muslims; Mohammed Alo critiques Obama as a successful candidate and next president; Mohammad Fadel argues that it really doesn't matter who wins and who loses – it will have no major bearing on policy.
Thomas Friedman, notable author and columnist at the New York Times, sits with TIM in an exclusive interview to discuss the future of relations between America and the Middle East, as well as other Muslim-majority countries. Friedman focuses on oil, energy and democracy.
74 38
What's at Stake for Muslims?
Portrait: Shahidul Alam Editorial: Profiles:Shahidul Alam's life journey in becoming a photographer is featured alongside a photo essay of his most memorable work.
Given the complexities of balancing religion and culture in America, we ask: why aren't more Muslim couples divorcing?
TIM shares to stories of notable Muslim-American politicians considered to be your politicians next door.
62
528
6 | T h e i s l a m i c m o n T h l y s u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 7
74 Why Aren't There More Muslim Divorces in America? TIM EDITOrs
TIM editorial:
76 Notes on revolutionary suicide ZAID HAssAN
82 Washington Puts Its Money on Proxy War: The Election-Year Outsourcing That No One's Talking About NIck TursE
international:
88 Interview with Ayad Akhtar rAYYAN Al-sHAWAF
books:
32 Issues That Matter Most in the Elections
ask the expert:
62 shahidul Alam: Giving Voice to the lions sAlMA HAsAN AlI
portrait:
70 Mothering a chronically sick child HAlA DurrAH
society:
the PoLiticiAn next DooR: 7 notAbLe muSLim AmeRicAn PoLiticiAnS
38profile:
America and its Future With the Muslim World Amina chaudary
thomAS FRieDmAn52interview:
76
88
column:
36 A Question of race in the Elections ANTHEA buTlEr
34 The Abc's of the Presidential Election in 2012 ArsAlAN IFTIkHAr
CONTENTS
8 The Case for Barack Obama ZAHEEr AlI
16 Mitt Romney: The Smart Choice for Muslims MOHAMMED AlO
24 Does it Matter? Regardless of Who Wins Muslims Should Not Expect Change MOHAMMAD FADEl
What if obama Wins? loses? What's at stake for muslims?
8on the cover:
