Aslan Media Book Salon discussion

In Moving the Mountain: Beyond Ground Zero to a New Vision of Islam in America, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf discusses being Muslim in America. He writes, "For the first time in my life I had to decide whether, and to what extent, to be a Muslim." Do you think Imam Feisal accurately describes what it means to be Muslim in America? Share some of your personal experiences with us!

I feel that living in any country without an Islamic heritage makes you re-evaluate your religion and in fact, can be beneficial to your belief because you are consciously choosing to follow your faith, despite misunderstandings, resentment and tension. I have heard many accounts of individuals immigrating to a Western country and holding on to their faith more - choosing to be Muslim, in a context where being Muslim isn't the easy road.

My impression from that quote is that living in America has helped him choose Islam, instead of Islam just having chosen him by birth.