Words are powerful. The right words can provide shades of meaning, nuance, and clarity of expression. The words we use to tell our stories, describe our identities, and disrupt oppression are particularly powerful. In a world that doesn’t always appreciate the rich diversity within the Muslim American community, we need space to develop our language and skill to better describe ourselves and understand others. Literary Societies are part of our history and provide opportunities for creativite expression and collaboration.
MWO Literary Society - September 2024
This month we'll examine the history of Muslims in Latin America and the Caribbean, acknowledging them as the fastest growing group of converts as well. We'll also specifically consider the histories that are often left untold, figures who are ignored, and the complexities that come from the intersectionalities of faith, race, culture, and systemic racism and anti-Muslim sentiments. Our discussions will focus in particular on the following questions:
What is it like to identify with both of these uniquely marginalized groups?
In what ways does oppression continue to happen (interpersonal, institutional, structural, internalized)?
How should we respond to that oppression (as Muslims, as members of a particular racial group)?
Has the Caribbean and Latin-American Muslim experience been appropriately acknowledged? Was there anything you learned about Islam in Latin-America?
What support do Latin American Muslims need to thrive?
How can we honor and support Latin American Muslim women?
How can we address racism through the Quranic/Islamic grounding of social justice?
Some guidance on the intersection of faith & social justice, from Sentipensante Pedagogy, by Laura Rendon
Requires “critical consciousness” (Freire, 1971) - an individual’s ability to recognize social and economic inequities that often result in marginalization, powerlessness, violence, and exploitation, and to take action to eradicate such inequities;
Requires action to transform entrenched institutional structures to ensure people from all social group memberships have equal access to resources and opportunities;
Requires love and compassion to work with people who have less privilege and resources; and
Requires working to heal and to provide hope for all people, especially those who are victims of social and economic inequities.
Cannot focus only on self-development and personal goals to the exclusions of the collective good;
Cannot be grounded only on individual aims without regard to interdependence and social justice.
Texts and Other Materials:
All readings are linked below. Alongside readings we will include other relevant, optional materials that will enable you to further your understanding of each month’s topic. These may include documentaries, readings, presentations, videos, and so forth. It is up to you to determine which materials you would prefer to engage with; it is expected that you will interact with at least one of the materials in order to bring your own unique perspective to the discussion.
BOOK: Crescent over Another Horizon: Islam in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latino USA by Maria del Mar Logrono Narbona, Paulo G Pinto, John Tofik Karam
BOOK: Far from Mecca: Globalizing the Muslim Caribbean by Aliyah Khan
BOOK: The Muslims of Latin American and the Caribbean: Chapter 1 by Kenneth Chitwood
VIDEO: How Did Islam Help Shape The West Indies Caribbean Region? by Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick
PODCAST: Latino Muslims: A swiftly growing and adapting community (ENGLISH) ISPU and Islam in Spanish
PODCAST: Islam on the Edges EP8 – Muslims of the Caribbean host Dr. Ermin Sinanovic talks with Dr. Aliyah Khan and Dr. Kenneth Chitwood
AUDIOBOOK: Latino Muslims: Our Journeys to Islam by Juan Galvan
PHOTO: Street Art in Puerto Rico
ARTICLE: In Memoriam: Khadijah Rivera