Muslim American Leadership and Law Enforcement Agencies

by Dr, Aslam Abdullah

Some Muslim Americans are very angry with law enforcement agencies, especially FBI, consequently, they have taken a position boycotting any interaction or dialogue with its officials. Muslims are not unanimous on this yet, but some of their major organizations have taken this stand. Is this a pragmatic decision and what message does it communicate with law enforcement agencies and the country as a whole?

Doubtlessly, since 9/11, Muslim Americans and Muslim in general have often been viewed by many politicians, and even some law enforcement agents as suspects. The use of financial resources in monitoring Muslim organizations and centers is not uncommon in several states. Often, the right-wing leaders have promoted the idea that Muslims cannot be trusted as their agenda is to promote the domination of Islam in the country through clandestine activities.

Obviously, most of these are perceptions. But the absence of Muslim Americans from active dialogue and discussion with law enforcement agencies is a major factor in their continuation. Others who have different agenda have somehow influenced law enforcement agencies to accept their views, however biased, they are towards Islam and Muslims and since Muslims are not there to clarify these perceptions, the one-sided view prevails.

Muslims in the united states are not a monolith group. They are split in hundreds of ethnic communities with different experiences and conditions African Americans who make up the largest segment of Muslim Americans have totally different attitude towards law enforcement agencies, while Muslims from Afghanistan, Iran, Bosnia, Kosovo, Somalia or North Africa who came here as refugees to live a dignified life have different attitude towards such agencies. Muslims from the Middle East who came here at the beginning of the 20th century in places like Detroit have a different perspective while Muslims who came here from South Asia in the 60s mainly as students have different experiences.

These groups have not yet collated to develop a national agenda and perspective, hence each organization dominated by a particular ethnic group adopts a perspective based on its understanding. 

Also to be noted is the fact that many prominent Muslim American leaders, especially of immigrant backgrounds were active supporters of organizations such as Ikhwan ul Muslimeen, or Jamat Islam, etc. Similarly, many African Americans were once the members of the Nation of Islam that had a specific view on race relations. Many who became Muslims recently have aligned with those ideological groups that are politically influenced by despotic regimes in the Middle East promoting a very strict understanding of Islam with no openness towards non-Muslims.

Law enforcement agencies do not have the resources to figure out who is who in the Muslim community. Their research and intelligence gathering resources are poor. They do not have many agents who speak the languages of the immigrants. They do not have expertise in the cultures of such communities. They also lack a clear understanding of the diversity within the Muslim community in interpreting the religious texts.

Also, the law enforcement officials are recruited from society in general. Not every member of the society is exposed to religious diversity or an objective understanding of diverse belief systems. Many bring their stereotypical images of others with them in their work and no matter what is the level of professionalism, the images of the past often linger on.

Law enforcement agencies are not political. They are run on national resources. They are bound by the constitution and hence they are by law defenders of law and every law-abiding citizen. However, if communities are close and not interacting and having a dialogue with them, there is no way that a better understanding can evolve.

In the absence of Muslims from the dialogue with law enforcement agencies, other special groups have filled with information about Muslims that is often inaccurate and wrong.

The only way to correct that is that Muslims engage in an open dialogue with law enforcement agencies to learn their functions and to tell them about the community. Law enforcement agencies work on the basis of reasonable tips they get from the public or their contacts and unless they reach to the bottom of such tips, they continue to pursue. Muslims can be a source to clarify assumptions, accusations, and assertions without fearing that this would put them in jeopardy.

Similarly, law enforcement agencies also should show respect to Muslims the same way they show respect to other segments of American society. That means that they should not view the entire community as a monolith group engaged in some conspiracy against the US. When they hear such accusations against Muslim individuals, they should investigate that individual thoroughly and seek Muslim help to bring the case to a closure.

Law enforcement agencies have a general perception that most religious organizations are not transparent in their financial dealings. It's not only about Muslims, but it involves everyone. In religious organizations, a lot of cash dealing is involved, and no matter how careful one is, there is no system that tracks every cash transaction. The idea that cash can find itself in undesirable hands cannot be ruled out. Obviously, the only people who can satisfactorily explain things related to cash are those who handle them. This is just one issue, there are many more. Often people with special interests may want to influence the congregation with their ideas that may be a determent to public Only those people who are part of the congregation know about that.  If law enforcement agencies are tipped about such thing, they would investigate and if those who are part of the group are not there to respond, a  lot of assumptions would be made and that might not be accurate. We saw that recently with the Russian interference in our elections. Even though no one has investigated it yet, but the involvement with the Russians in our elections through religious groups cannot be eliminated.

It is imperative that rather than reacting in anger, Muslim leadership looks at the issue of having dialogue with law enforcement agencies in a pragmatic manner and openly develop a perspective that serves the interests of the country and the community.

Isolation is not the solution. It would exacerbate misgivings and create confusion. It is better than the Muslim leadership to review its stance towards law enforcement agencies and extend the hand of interaction for better relations.

 The Essence of Hajj

Abu Uthman al-Sabani al-Shafii (d 449) in his book Kitab ul Maitain narrates Prophet Muhammad as saying, "towards the end of the time, four main groups of people will flock around the Kaaba to perform Hajj: The powerful rulers, who want to have fun or who want to enjoy the occasion, the rich people to promote their businesses, the poor to seek financial support and the reciters (or scholars) to demonstrate their skills."

Al-Sabuni was not an ordinary scholar. He narrated the Hadith after ensuring that the matan or text and isnad or chains are sound. He once said "I never narrated a Hadith nor a non-Prophetic report in a gathering, except if I possessed its chain of transmission; nor did I ever enter the library except in a state of ritual purity; nor did I ever narrate Hadith, nor hold a gathering, nor teach, except in a state of ritual purity."

Are we living in that period that was predicted by the Prophet? Has Hajj really become a type of ritual devoid of any meaning? Is Hajj an individual ibada (worship) that requires a believer to spend time and resources to get closer to an omnipotent and omnipresent God? Has the Hajj become a business in our times? Or has it become a vacation?

There was a time when people would spend months and months preparing themselves financially and spiritually to live the real meaning of Hajj. However, nowadays Hajj is offered as a holiday package. Many Hajj agencies all over the world offer value packages with super programs, deluxe programs, and short executive program. These programs offer the best and closest accommodation in Makkah and Medinah, best available food and best possible position in the House of Allah. Depending on how much you pay, you can get the finest place in Makkah and Medinah. If you happen to be the guest of royalty, then probably, no one can ever compete with your placement in the two mosques. When the Prophet performed his only Hajj, the only provision that he had with him was no more than four dirham as narrated in several books of ahadith.

Hajj was meant to teach the pilgrims endurance and perseverance for higher causes, yet it has been turned into an exercise inconvenience. Hajj was meant to express the utmost humility in the presence of the rest of humanity by declaring that "Here I am, Here I am, I will not make anyone Allah's partner. Allah is the one who is in control of everything and He alone is the one who is the source of all blessings and praise." Yet, today, Hajj, for many, has become, a badge, a symbol of spiritual arrogance.

Hajj is an institution that is supposed to reassure the people that ethnic, cultural, linguistic, geographical, wealth-based, race and color differences that humans have imposed upon themselves have no reality in the presence of God. All are one and the purpose of all is to follow the divine guidance to create universal humanity to the well being of everyone. Hajj is meant to be a pledge to live the example of Hajj beyond the Hajj. It is an occasion to create a personality without a dimension and space.

Yet, through social engineering and manipulation of resources, Hajj is rapidly adapting social elements that distinguish the rich from the poor, the very institution that it is supposed to demolish. Divisions among Hujjaj on the basis of their ethnicity and money are visible throughout the Hajj journey.

While the hujjaj coming from poorer regions of the world may find accommodation miles away from the Haram, those who are rich can find accommodation within the vicinity of the Kaaba

The Quran describes Kaaba as a center of guidance to humanity. "Indeed the first House of Worship open to all was established in the Noble Makkah. Indeed, this House is the center of guidance for all humanity." (3:96) The place was not only a place for bringing together all the people but it is a center for promoting peace. (2:145). It was a place that was meant to help humanity realize its universality rather than divisions (5:97)

For this great purpose of helping humanity realize its dream of removing all the differences and divisions among themselves the institution Hajj come up with the clear example of making us understand and observe that unity of humanity is possible. For this the Quran asked Prophet Ibrahim to invite people to Hajj, so that they may witness the beauty and magnificence of the guidance of Allah.

Hajj is like a united nation in its real sense without five elitist powers. With no hidden agenda and security council privileges, each nation and community come to Makkah with the single purpose of serving God and reiterating their covenant with Him. Hajj provides the opportunity for everyone to witness the common bonds among people regardless of their differences. Hajj promotes the idea of the dignity of human beings, male or female, young or old and rich and poor.

Hajj also creates space for intellectual ideas among people so that they could all remain focused on their main agenda of serving humanity through following the guidance of God.

It is this spirit of Hajj that was prevalent at the time of the Prophet and his trusted companions. It is this spirit of Hajj is now being challenged by the modern business-dominated society and hierarchy of rich and poor culture. However, among all this razzmatazz, still there are people who come to the Hajj to take the inspiration to transform themselves for a better future both for them and for others. They are the ones who do not care about big hotels or better facilities. They are the ones who spend their days and nights in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalfa, Makkah and Medina. Here they remember the covenant that Allah made with Prophet Abraham, the builder of Kaaba. Prophet Abraham was told by God, Almighty, "I am making you the source of balance and inspiration (The Quran uses the word Imam, that literally means the instrument that a construction worker uses to level the construction) for all people," (2:124). Encouraged by this honor, the Prophet asked: "Is this covenant for my progeny too," No," said Allah, "Those who deviate from my path would not qualify for this honor," (2:124)

In these simple words thus was describing the real intent and purpose of the Hajj and all other faith-based institutions. The dignity and honor do not come with buying this or that package. It comes through dedication and commitment to the divine values and living up to them.

Some day, the Hajj will be restored to its original intent by those un-known and un-recognized faces who come from all over the world quietly without any fanfare and who spend every moment of their presence in the noble sanctuaries and the pilgrimage path with the determination to follow their real leaders: Prophets Ibrahim, Prophet Ismail and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them, in every aspect of this great institution.

The re-enactment of acts performed during the Hajj are attributed to Prophets Ibrahim and Ismal and Mother Hagar. They are primarily meant for the purpose of reminding the humanity that in order to bring people together, God's guidance is received, acknowledged, accepted and followed by a small group of people who may not be present physically seeing the fruits of their efforts. Prophet Ibrahim created that nucleus for perpetual change in human behavior and for that he was honored by God who declared him as an Imam (role model) for humanity. The guidance that inspired Prophet Ibrahim to put the dream of one people under God, in reality, is there in its clearest, puritan, crystal form in the Quran. How ironic it is that despite the guidance, many remain misguided, including those who claim to have understood and mastered the divine guidance.