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Islam in Denver
When I lived in Belleville, Paris, the Muslims living in the apartment next to me were quite religious and I often heard the "Allaabu Akbar" prayers from next door. This wasn't strange, since I had traveled in Islamic countries before. In fact, it seemed normal for Europe and Asia. But I had never lived near many Muslims in the US. Perhaps this was because I lived in a small mountain community, but I think it was fairly normal for the US.Today, only a few years later, Muslims are more and more common in the United States. A few minutes ago, a fully veiled woman walked past my house pushing a stroller. I'm not sure where she was from, but she could have been pulled directly out of the grand bazaar in Istanbul. At first, it didn't even strike me as odd ... But with more reflection, it is a bit shocking. Here in the heart of the US - conservative haven for white Christians - I'm surrounded by Muslims. Here are few experiences I've had since I moved to Denver:
- Ozgun, my former Turkish roommate, was culturally Muslim.
- Many of my class mates are Kuwaiti, Saudi, and Bahraini.
- I frequent several clubs in downtown Denver that are owned by Lebanese and Saudis.
- I eat kebabs, hummus, and other Muslim food at local Muslim owned restaurants regularly.
- On Monday night, I went to a chicha bar where I talked with "Bob" from Tripoli. Though Libya is often regarded as one of the most anti-American states, Bob told me that there is a large Libyan community in Denver. On a side note, he said that all of his university classes in Tripoli were taught from American text books... I found that ironic.
- My recently played music includes Abd al Malik, Cheb Khaled, Killa Hakan, and Neset Ertas - all Muslim artists from Turkey, Algeria, and the Congo.
None of this really seems out of the ordinary ... And I'm living in Denver - smack in the middle of the US. Until now, US interest in Islam and Muslims has been focused on issues in the Middle East: investments in Dubai, the war in Iraq, concern about Iran, Middle Eastern oil prices, etc. Europe on the other hand, is culturally confronted by Islam at home. Mosques, Arabs, Pakistanis, Berbers, and kebabs have been commonplace for years, and the clash of cultural complications are evident. Recent discussion about the film Fitna is one clear example.
I wonder if (or when) the US will have to deal these issues. Will Islamic culture slowly be integrated in American culture, or will there eventually be a clash? Will we have to fight the threat of internally based terrorism (like in Europe)?
Any thoughts?
Labels: culture, denver, the middle east
