A Question of Identity

The Association of Pakistani Physicians of Noth America (APPNA) conference was held between June 12-14 in DC. It was a gathering of MD's, primarily from the East Coast and there were approximately 2000 in attendance (including families). We had a booth here and this was the first time we attended this conference. It was a good learning experience. The booth was surrounded by clothing and jewelry boutiques and all from Pakistan who had come to showcase their stuff to the richest Pakistani ex-pat community in the world. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I had heard many stories from friend about how liberal the people were there. On Friday, I went to lunch with some friends attending and an interesting topic came up. We, who were sitting at the table, were all 2nd generation Pakistanis. In the 3rd and 4th generation, what will be the make up of APPNA or would there even be an APPNA in existence. The question is relevant because of many reasons. Do we as Muslims living here in America have an obligation of maintaining our cultural roots? Definitely, the founders of APPNA thought that they should. If you look at APPNA today, it is an association of Mds from a particular college in Pakistan; almost like an alumni association. As such, the name is quite appropriate for the current generation, but is it for the future ones. They will be Physicians, but will they be Pakistani? Or will they identify themselves as such?


National Association of Bangladeshi Islamic Community (NABIC)

After setting up the booth for APPNA and spending Friday there, early Saturday morning, I flew to NYC to attend the NABIC 14th Annual Convention. This was held at York University in Queens and there were approximately 250 people in attendance. Most attendees were either MDs or PhDs. I was not planning on attending this convention because of APPNA, however, they paid for my ticket and gave me a speaking slot during lunch. The presentation went well. Initially, I felt because people were eating, nobody would listen, however to my amazement, the vast majority, minus kids, stopped eating and paid attention. Afterwards, there were good questions and people were interested.

Back to the questions I posed above, the same thing could apply to this organization as APPNA. Will future generations associate themselves with Bangladeshis? One of the speeches that was given was by Dr. Suleyman Nyang about the Muslims in America, Past, Present, and Future. He went through five stages of migration of Muslims to the US. Interestingly enough, in all but the last one (which we are currently living through), the Muslims either assimilated into the larger community, or created their own version of Islam, like Nation of Islam, or the followers of Noble Drew Ali. Dr. Nyang pointed out that we are living through a very historic time for sociologists. The future of our impact in America is going to be determined by our actions today. And we are, like it or not, in the process of answering the question “who are we?” For example, in my case, am I Muslim, Pakistani, Hyderabadi? Or what about Iman, is she Muslim, Palestinian, Californian? And even more complicated, how will our children, born into not two, but there different cultures (including American) answer the question. For me, one thing is clear. That we need to bring up our children identifying themselves through their relationship with their creator. Why? Because, as in Iman and I’s case, Abdallah is neither Pakistani, nor Palestinian, and to a certain extent he is not American either, because he might end up moving to China or somewhere else. This in not too far fetched…….In our own family, our grand parents moved from India to Pakistan. Our parents moved from Pakistan to the US and very easily, we can move out of the US. Moeed did!!!! So national identity is a function of birth and surrounding environment while being brought up which can change from generation to generation. However, a person’s relationship to the creator is something that one cannot hide from no matter where (s)he goes. A point to keep in mind as we travail the historic path we are on here in the US in this age.

Rest of the Week and Time in Chicago

On Monday, I had a meeting with Zam Zam Travels which arranges Hajj and Umrah for Muslims from the US. One of there Board members is Imam Mohammed Maged, who is also the Imam of ADAMS in Sterling, VA. We discussed two promising proposals. One involves the Qatari Government wanting to donate, every year, $500k for new Muslims and/or needy ones to go for Hajj (similar to what Brian went on). ZamZam is looking to deposit this money somewhere until the Muslims are selected and sent. The second was similar to the Hajj Foundation idea because there are many people interested in donating money to send people for Hajj and Umrah, and others who would like to see more education in this area as well as savings accounts for it. Something we are already working on.

After the Amana Board meeting on Wednesday, I flew out to Chicago where I had some seminars planned. I emphasize planned because none of them worked out. At least I got to attend Sa’ad and Sana’s waleema. There were quite a few people there, approximately 900 and on the men’s side, as one brother pointed out, it was a powerhouse of knowledge. There is a madrasah located outside of Chicago run by a Maulana Abdullah Saleem and his children. Many of the people in the crowd and children who were attending the school either for Hifz or Knowledge. The school is based on the teachings of the schools in Daoband. One thing I found interesting and later, after contemplation, disappointing was how all the students were dressed the same. Same shalwar khameez, same turban, same color, etc. In this I thought to myself, this couldn’t be what Islam teaches. In fact, in antithesis, it encourages diversity. What is the difference between a group of Muslims dressed like Daobandis and a group of people dressed in grunge clothes? Again it goes back to the issue of identity. The students at this school, and many in Chicago for that matter, have found something to identify with. The problem is that they have identified with something foreign, imported, rather that something indigenous and home-grown, reflecting their true background and upbringing. As long as you are a practicing Muslim, does it really matter how you dress, within the confines of Sharia? Unfortunately, if you ask many, they will say yes it does………… and thus begins the vicious cycle of brain washing and indoctrination.

One of the great things about attending all of these conferences and events is that I get to hear some very great speeches. On my trip to NYC, on of the speakers was a lady by the name of Ameena Assilmi from Kentucky. Her life story is amazing with many incidents that can make a person awe-stuck, however, I just wanted to highlight her speech about Rocks. Ameena gave as speech in which she pulled out a box in which were kept jewelry bags. In each jewelry bag/box was a stone by which she remembered God. It was truly an amazing speech. To give you just one example, one of the attributes of God is that he is The Preserver. For this, she took out a clear rock which she found camping one night, in which there is a small air bubble surrounded by water. She had the rock dated and found that it was 3 million years old. As such, the water in the rock as well as the air bubble are older. Can you imagine a rock being formed around water and air and how much time that would take? Another rock she presented reminded her about how God puts beauty into everything. Ameena mentioned that someone took her onto the mountains in Colorado and towards the top, broke of a piece of rock. Inside, was a beautiful array of designs, all geometric and in various colors: green, blue, red, etc. If God could put so much beauty into a rock formation, imagine how much beauty he put into human beings!!!!

Till Next Time,
Babi