Islam & US Politics

1. Lec# 10 Islam & US Politics

2. Early Contact of Muslim in America • The Navigator of Columbus, who during the famous voyage, brought along a copy of a travel narrative written by Portuguese Muslims who had sailed to the New World in the 12th century. The narrative by al-Idrisi was called "The Sea of Tears". In this narrative he discusses he voyage of 80 muhagharrun (explorers) who lived in Lisbon during the reign of the Murabit amir, Yusuf ibn Tashufin. In the narrative it mentions visits to fourteen islands. Over half of these islands were later traced to be in either the Canary Islands or the Azores. However, the ones not traced could have been as far away or the Azores. However, the ones not traced could have been as far away as the Caribbean. An early travel from 942 A.D. is mentioned in the Annuals of al-Mas'udi. (Aramco World, May-June 1992) • Istafan, the Arab, was a guide for the Spanish that wished to settle the area that would later be called Arizona in 1539. Istafan was from Azamor, Morocco and had previously been to the New World in the ill-fated expedition of Panfilo de Narvaez to Florida in 1527. Brent Kennedy mentions him in his article in Islamic Horizons as being one of the first Moors and Muslims in America. Istafan was one of four to survive a five thousand mile tour of the American Southwest. Originally he was part of a three hundred member exploratory group. He would go on to become the first visitor from Europe or Africa among the Pueblo Indians. (Islamic Horizons November/December 1994, pp.24-27). He was also a guide for the Franciscan friar, Marcos de Niza and was in this capacity until he was killed in an Indian attack in Arizona and New Mexico in 1539.

3. Story continues... • 1890-1910 In the era of 1890-1910 the only movement we can truly talk about is that of Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb. Many trace him to be first "white convert" to Islam in America. Before he became Muslim, he was a newspaper editor and later the consular to the Philippines for the U.S.He accepted the post of consular in 1887. • 1910-1950 1910-1950 saw several Orthodox Sufi, Ahmadiyyah, Bahia, Shia, and so-called Black Nationalists groups arise. The rising of the role of Orthodox Mosques (in Ross, N.D., Detroit, and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Sheikh Dawood, Sufi Abdul Hamid, Noble Drew Ali, and Elijah Muhammad.

4. Islamic World – the US Ties • The US has enjoyed close and valued ties with the Islamic world. Significantly, a Muslim state, Morocco, was the first to recognize American independence. The Sultan of Morocco signed a Treaty of Peace and friendship with US in 1787, and thereafter the new republic had a number of dealings with other Muslim countries. • During the inter war years, America had a clean image in the Muslim world because of educational and health services organized by American missionaries. • The second world war, the oil industry and the post war developments brought many Americans to the Islamic countries; large number of Muslims also came to America, first as students, then as teachers of businessmen or visitors, and eventually as immigrants.

5. IW – US during Cold War • After the emergence of US as a prominent power, the American policy makers devoted special attention to West Asia. Prompted by the American oil companies, they tried to cultivate Saudi Arabia to ensure access to oil. • The US role in the creation of the state or Israel resulted in strong anti-American feelings among the Muslim countries. This also resulted in the emergence of radical groups, some of which were able to attain state power. They adopted anti-American postures. • It then became an objective of US diplomacy to ensure that a consolidation of such radical Muslim states did not materialize and a corporate relationship was established with the moderate and conservative regimes in the Muslim world. • In Washington's view, Islam could play the role of a "barrier" blocking the spread of socialist ideology in the Muslim countries.

6. IW – US in Post Cold War • The end of the cold war also witnessed the rise of religious fervor in Muslim countries. All over the Muslim world, from Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Egypt to Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, a persistent undercurrent of religious revival, taking the form of political ideology is being observed now. In media and among the academic circles, this has been referred to as "Islamic Fundamentalism". • After the demise of International Communism, Islam is increasingly being perceived as one of the future ideological rivals to the West, led by the US. After the cold war, Americans are turning in increasing number towards a new enemy: Islam. • The American mass media has started sounding alarming signals: Beware of Islamic Fundamentalism, The Muslims are coming, The Roots of Muslim Rage, Islamic Fundamentalists call for a Holy war etc.