Islam in America and Southeast Asia: Parallel Challenges, Distinct Narratives?


In the turn of the 21st century increasing fundamentalism coming from various Muslim sections have led to negative sentiments coming from within and outside the Muslim world. Muslims around the world today have had to deal with varying perceptions coming from the outside, empathy for the trials and tribulations faced by Muslims is at the same time coupled with remorse and suspicion. Many questions have arisen within Muslim discourse: How do we deal with these negative perceptions? How do we deal with the fundamentalists amongst us? How do we progress in the midst of these challenges?

The forum today will bring into perspective the various challenges and issues faced by the Muslim communities in America and Southeast Asia. America is seen as some as a nation that has caused much misery to the Muslim world. Yet, it is a melting pot of cultures. Southeast Asia on the other hand is seen as tropical paradise filled with a melting pot of various ethnic and religious groups, an outer façade that should provide a comfortable setting for Muslims to thrive. Today’s discourse will bring to light some of the similarities and differences between the challenges and issues faced by Muslims in America and Southeast Asia. It is hoped that the discourse will help in furthering the understanding within the Muslim communities themselves and will aid the ‘outsiders’ to further understand the Muslim perspective.