Discuss the history and Traditions of Islam in America (Essay Sample)

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Islam in the United States
Although Islam and its traditions remain largely unexplored in the American context, its tenets and practices have made significant contributions to the American culture. Institutions such as slavery, emigration, and black separatism were the main channels that brought Muslims and their practices to America. This led to a slow, but steady process of adaptation and articulation that helped to create robust and unique traditions that are characteristics of Islam in America. A way to showcase resiliency in a different culture by allowing individual beliefs to flourish in the American religious lifestyle. The objective of the essay is to discuss the history of Islam in America as well as explore how its tradition’s introduction to America has changed it.
Discussion
The Muslims living the United States have religious traditions different from their counterparts in Europe. Today, Islam is the fourth-largest religious faith in the United States after Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism. This represented 0.9% of the American population in 2010, in comparison to 78.4% who follow Christianity (GhaneaBassiri 25). Muslims have continued to arrive in America using different migration and emigration channels over the last 130 years. This is the reason they are the most racially diverse religious groups from various backgrounds.
Muslims born in America only account for a quarter of the Muslim population in America. The majority have converted to Islam in the last 70 years creating a steady Muslim population growth in the U.S. However, Islam adaptation and assimilation is more prevalent in urban areas as compared to rural areas (Bilici 29). The majority are well integrated in the American middle-class, but the aftermath of 9/11created a political and social-cultural dynamism that changed their religious status.
How Islamic Traditions Have Changed over Time in America
Although 10% of the Muslim population in the America arrived in the country through slavery, Islam was highly suppressed in plantations. Before the 19th century, the majority of free Muslims were travelers, sailors, and merchants living in North America (Smith 12). Thousands of Muslims immigrated to America from the former Mughal Empire and former territories of the Ottoman Empire between 1881 and 1914. Muslim growth increased significantly in the 20th century due to immigration and high birth rates.
Since the drafting of the state constitution of Pennsylvania in 1776, Islam, religious views have continued to influence debates regarding religious freedom in America. The insertion of the religious liberty clause created room for Islam to grow and flourish. Throughout the 20th century Islam was well-accepted until the 9/11 terrorist attack tainted its image in America (GhaneaBassiri 46). It brought immense attention to the Muslim community that consequently led to policy changes. The policy changes affected mostly the realms of immigration and anti-terrorism.
Muslims no longer had the freedom to practice their religious traditions with pride because they were viewed as terrorists. It became hard even to create and maintain relations with Americans who were not Muslims. Employment became a nightmare for the majority of this community owing to their religious affiliations (Bilici 116). They were ridiculed and taunted in open daylight and some were harassed by the police officers on suspicion of being a terrorist.
Over time, harassment and discrimination against Muslims has declined, but they are far from achieving religious freedom. This is because mosques are under surveillance for any suspicious activity, making it hard to for Muslims to practice their traditions without interruptions. It is not uncommon for police or federal officers to storm a Mosque on suspicion of promoting terrorism, but rarely would they do the same to a Christian church (Smith 62). Furthermore, this unfair targeting of the Muslims does not seem to bother the majority of Americans who are not Muslims.
Terrorism actions of various terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda have created a hostile environment for Muslims in the U.S. As such, Muslims are working to rebuild their image, which certainly will take time (Bilici 73). Acceptance requires healing that takes time and Muslims have to endure another period of harassment and discrimination before they achieve autonomous religious freedom again. They have had to adapt to continue practicing their traditions under surveillance. They have come to accept racial profiling whenever there is a terrorist threat.
However, the younger generation harbors little or no hatred against the Muslim community because 9/11 occurred after they were born...