1. THE PRACTICE OF THE RELIGION:

The truth is that very few missionary delegations from overseas, whose sole purpose is the preaching of Islam, become residents of this country. Rather, they come for a week or so and then leave. They do not live here. On the other hand, for many Muslims who do choose to live here, the practice of Islam is merely a habit that they have acquired from their family back home rather than a way of life for the sole purpose of the pleasure of God Almighty. Although, there is no restriction on the practice of religion in this country, the environment is not always as favor- able to new faiths as it might seem. For example, offering the noon prescribed prayers at work is difficult for most Muslim employees. Several cases have been recorded in which a Muslim was fired from his job for practicing Islam during lunch hours. Therefore, a Muslim living in a non-- Muslim society can practice his or her religion, and may do it with hardships, but the joy of being a Muslim is often not there. The prevailing feeling is more one of a lonesome believer, surviving in a spiritual desert.

2. FOOD CONSUMPTION:

For those Muslims who do want to preserve their faith and follow its dietary laws, life is sometimes difficult. Again it is not due to the non- availabil- ity of permissible (halal) food. In big cities permissible meat is available and in smaller towns, if a Muslim wants, the believer can and sometimes does drive to a bigger city to obtain permissible meat. The problem is acute when one has to eat out. Nearly everything is contami- nated with lard. This includes vegetable soup, salad, fried chicken, hamburger, cheese, etc. Even if they say they use vegetable shortening, still they might have used the same frying pan and utensils for frying both kinds of food.

3. CHILDREN's EDUCATION

In this highly technological society, it is not difficult to gain a professional education while, at the same time, it is difficult to obtain an Islamic education. Muslim children spend forty hours a week under the care of non- Muslim teachers, surrounded by non-Muslim friends and yet parents expect them to practice Islam. One hour a week of Sunday school's Islamic education or making them recite a few words or verses is not enough to withstand the influence of their peers. Chil- dren are greatly influenced by their friend's behavior. In this society, where use of drugs, alcohol, pot, rock music, and illegitimate mixing of sex is so common in high school children, how can we save our children from such influences? Should we stop them from going to school? Should we stop them from mixing with their American neighbors, a serious question for Muslim parents. One answer is to practice our faith ourselves in the best way we know how, constantly learning about things we had not known about Islam. We can then become models for our children if we teach them how to reason and not force religion upon them. By teaching them how to reason, they can reason with themselves that they do not want the results of what they see going on around them.

3. SOCIAL LIFE :

It is said: "the human being is a social animal," and "no human being is an island." Therefore, social encounter is essential for the psychological well being of a person. What opportunities does the non- Muslim society provide? When American men get together, they usually talk about baseball, football, women and interest rates, while drinking beer and wine. These things may not generate interest in a Muslim man who has not grown up in this society. He may feel isolated and alone among them. It is the same case for Muslim women. She is much different from her non-Muslim counterpart whether or not she is a professional or someone who works. Muslims also become isolated from the soci- ety in which they live. Thus, it is necessary to form communities or join in with other commu- nities of people who share same interests.

4. THE HOSTILITY OF THE MEDIA :

This is a painful issue for a sensitive Muslim. It is not so much so for someone who is only interested in the sports column of newspapers or in the on-going sales. However, those Muslims looking for new items in American newspapers are disappointed since the media is often anti- Islam, anti-Muslim and frequently publishes fabri- cated and distorted news about Islam and Muslims.  Those who read the columns of Joseph Kraft, Jack Anderson and Paul Harvey know what I am talking about. Even in social gather- ings, it is difficult for a sensitive Muslim to listen to all this. All headlines are full of prejudice and stereotypes.  It is granted battles for non Muslims. In conclusion, the agony of Muslims living in a hostile non-Muslim world is great. They are living in a spiritual desert, in a social vacuum, trying to think all by themselves. Some- one may ask: "So why do they stay?" The fact is that as Muslims, they believe in the same values for which this country was founded. In other words, they feel closer to the founding fathers than what America has become. Time will tell how important it was that those Muslims who have the strength of character to withstand the agonies remain in America to re-instill the American values of which the Americans them- selves have lost.

5. SOME IDEAS:

These are some of the items that I feel can help the community to stand up and survive for the time being:

(1) Permanent imam for the Mosque. This imam would carry the five times prayers, lectures and remainders. We have enough professionals (doctors, university staffs and businessmen …) that can share easily the expenses for recruiting a permanent imam.  

(2) Establishment of an Islamic school for kids. The same imam may offer classes for the kids not only on weekends but also a few hours during the weekdays. We need our kids to grow up as Muslims. Islam has to be sculptured and shined in their minds and hearts at an early age.  

(3) Monthly gathering that make us know each other. It would be beneficial if the people from the same country would interact with others. Otherwise the purpose of gathering would be lost through the ethnical gathering.

(4) Provide halal meat and other items…

These are only few ideas. I would like to hear your inputs and priorities.  End

 "O you who believe!

Save yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell),

whose fuel is men and stones,

over which are (appointed) angels, stern (and) severe,

who disobey not (from executing)

the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely)

which they are commanded" (66.6).

MUSLIMS' PROBLEMS  AND PROPOSED

SOLUTIONS