Islamicism: Jihad and fostering political Islam in the United States

Abstract

The intersection of religious fundamentalism and political life among American Muslims is a complex one (to say the least). Aside from the historical challenges that American Muslims have faced as a fairly fractured immigrant community with pronounced ethnic and racial differences, Muslims have had to endure the difficulties associated with life in America post September 11.1 The legal system question since September 11 has been understandably tricky for Muslims. By October 2001 a majority of respondents to a national Muslim survey reported that they or someone they knew had experienced some form of discrimination.2 Slightly more African American and Arab Muslims reported such negative experiences than South Asians or Africans. Fully two-fifths reported discrimination after September 11, and three-fifths reported knowing a victim of discrimination. Of those surveyed 37 percent reported no discrimination against themselves or others they knew, suggesting a slight increase in such problems since 2001.3 By any standard, these figures are high.