Politics of Association and Media Making

It is undoubted that contemporary media making holds immense power over the socio-political climate of the world. Yet when the freedom of the media is curbed in developing countries, it’s a given that these countries do not have the unbounded freedom of expression and freedom of speech enjoyed by ‘developed’ countries like the United States. However, of late, this very freedom is put on stand by the politics that are put on display vis-a-vis non-mainstream media broadcasters like the cable news network Al-Jazeera English (AJE). The conservative voices in the America appear to label the station “as hav[ing] a tendency to promote terrorist acts” and “a jihadist recruiting front”.

The Unwelcomed Other In America

A review of the CNN Special Unwelcome Muslims Next Door by Imraan Siddiqi has been going round the internet. To read the review and watch the Special see here.

The only thing i can say to the 'terror' that the non-Muslim folks of the town (both whites and African Americans) are up in arms about is this: the true vandals and terrorist who are terrorising the folks of the town aren't the Muslims. Least it's missed, it has to be said out loud that terrorising others for any reason is in everyone including White/non-White Christian America.

GOP candidate and the face of Multiculturalism in American

I recently read the article about the GOP presidential candidate's comments about Islam, and the role of Muslims in America. The article is an important reminder of the true face of multiculturalism in American and the sheer lack of recognition accorded for its minorities especially Muslims. As Herman Cain says:

"The role of Muslims in America is not to convert the rest of us to the Muslim religion. That I resent. Because we are a Judeo-Christian nation, from the fact that 85 percent of us are self-described Christians, or evangelicals, or practicing the Jewish faith. Eighty-five percent."

Black or White: Politics of Association

This article "Black Mother Jailed For Sending Kids to White School District"

captures the continued struggle by the minority Black community to provide better education for their children:

"An Ohio mother of two was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on three years probation after sending her kids to a school district in which they did not live."

The reality of recognition politics in America: Praying for prayer spaces

Here's a piece of news which exemplifies the reality of recognition politics as experienced by religious minorities in a culturally diverse landscape such as America. Is the issue urgent? Is the issue valid? Are there avenues for these minorities to champion their rights as the free citizen of the land to have their religious sensibilities preserved in public domain? These issues continue to colour the American multicultural multireligous terrain.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/450552-praying-on-us-campus.html

“Victory Mosques” and the Politics of Misrepresentation

There has been a tremendous amount of media on the supposed ‘ground zero mosque’ issue these last months and the latest take the cake. It’s now called the “Victory mosque”, in line with other supposed mosques that were built by Muslims after they conquered a land.

Husain Abdullah and the Muslim Minority in Ramadan

Finally, a story about acceptance and accommodation for the Muslim minority in America, albeit an individual's story.