American Muslims Court Identity Politics

“Groups Give U.S. Muslims a New Voice” (Nov. 24), on the fledgling Muslim organizations that attempt to defend human rights for American Muslims and “yet to be naturalized” American Muslims, was uplifting.

It may come as a surprise to your readers how many Muslim mosques and Islamic centers there are in America. Just a few months ago I visited (by chance) a Somalian friend of a friend at his apartment complex. I was very surprised to find that the majority in the apartment complex were Somalian Muslims who had cooperatively retained an apartment to use as a mosque--surely a sign of American resourcefulness being expressed by these Somalis who, one day, may be proud to call themselves American Muslims.

Mujeeb Basha

Washington

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Your article about Islamic pressure organizations was thorough and well researched, and all the more frightening because of those qualities.

Muslims are regrettably following the trend toward gaining political power for their balkanized group rather than assimilating into American society. They want economic opportunities but despise the vital legal and cultural underpinnings of America. The Muslim message since Sept. 11 has been primarily one of victimhood--largely overblown, considering the enormity of the act of war against the U.S. by Arab terrorists.

In addition, increasing Muslim influence in politics (the “demographic strategy” cited) should make women fear for hard-won civil rights. Attention to human rights issues is not exactly a Muslim value; ask fatwa target Salman Rushdie. Simply stated, the cultures of secular, democratic America and repressive, misogynist Islam are not compatible.

Brenda Walker

Berkeley