American-Muslim Political Identity, Participation, and Alliances

The most recent national presidential election elicited – for obvious reasons – the highest level of political participation, interest, and media coverage in recent history, not only amongst the general public but also the American-Muslim community in particular. The election of President Obama to the White House comes with cautious optimism to many. What doors of opportunity does this election open for the Muslim community? Does the election facilitate local participation at a political and social level? Does it alleviate the challenges of allegiance to the global Muslim community while still maintaining a genuine national identity? Does the election of a democratic candidate solve the challenge of a presumed Muslim platform of moral conservatism and social liberalism?

The topics discussed at this year’s ALIM program will include: American Muslim political identity: Possibilities and Problems, Muslim allegiance between the global muslim community and local political priorities, social consciousness: universal moral concerns and regional action, American Muslim political schizophrenia: social conservatism versus human liberties amongst others.

The scholars on tap will be Dr. Ali Sulaiman Ali, Dr. Muneer Fareed, Dr. Abd al-Hakim Jackson, and Imam Mohamad Magid. The starting date is Sunday, July 19th, 2009, from 9am to 6pm [do try to be on time!]. The session will be held at the Science Lecture Hall, located on Madonna University’s campus in Livonia, Michigan. Registration fee is $25 per person (lunch included). For more information please contact the ALIM program at community@alimprogram.com, or brother Hammad Suhaib (313) 595-6851, or visit the ALIM Program’s web site.

May Allah make this year’s ALIM program a successful and beneficial one for this life and the next.

Amin.