DTIC ADA485566: American Muslims: Living the Dream pdf

DTIC ADA485566: American Muslims: Living the Dream

More Book Details

Description of the Book:

Muslim immigrants in the United States share the same characteristics as any other immigrant group coming to America looking for a chance at prosperity. Immigrants form close communities, maintain the customs and culture of their home countries, and practice Islam. At this time, however, Muslim immigrants are at the center of a large struggle among Western governments, moderate Muslim communities, and Islamic extremist groups. In spite of these pressures, most American Muslims have proven resistant to radicalism and extremist ideology. Their success in education, finance, and integration into American society has defeated radicalization and its violent components. In stark contrast to Western European Muslim communities, Americans Muslims are more like their non-Muslim neighbors than Muslim immigrant populations in other Western democracies. Western European Muslims’ and American Muslims’ differences illustrate the reasons American Muslims are more resistant to radical ideology. The legacy of colonial prejudice and the poor economic situation of European Muslims is the opposite of the American Muslim’s experience, which mirrors American society in terms of education and financial success.

American Muslim leaders’ primary concerns center on sustaining a rich Islamic identity among the community of believers, prospering within their adopted societies, and defeating extremist ideology. These leaders face the need to counter currents that create radicalization while at the same time maintaining their credibility within their community. The appearance of collaboration would end their influence. Therefore, Western governments must focus on strengthening moderate and pluralist beliefs within their Muslim immigrant communities while exposing extremist ideology as a political monster. The methods and policies of Muslim leaders and Western governments should emphasize the similarities and potential successes versus the differences

• Creator/s: Defense Technical Information Center
• Date: 5/27/2008
• Year: 2008
• Book Topics/Themes: DTIC Archive, Neumeyer, Matthew P, ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES, *UNITED STATES, *IMMIGRANTS, *LEADERSHIP, *COMMUNITIES, *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, *COOPERATION, *ISLAM, DEMOCRACY, MINORITIES, INTEGRATION, CULTURE, WESTERN EUROPE, GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN), ECONOMICS, EDUCATION

An excerpt captured from the PDF book