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Islam In The South Asian Diaspora

Islam -- the fastest growing religion in the United States -- is usually portrayed in the US as either the Arab world and/or the Nation of Islam -- forgetting that one of the most significant Muslim populations in the world is located in South Asia.

This South Asian Muslim Diaspora is featured in My Son the Fanatic, a British film based on Hanif Qureishi's script and directed by Udayan Prasad. It opens in New York and Los Angeles on June 25.

The film depicts a young man's gradual turn toward Islam set against a backdrop of being an outsider -- a Pakistani immigrant. While the son becomes involved in increasing religious activities (the "fanatic" of the title), his father turns away from his family. Tensions result, and the son's fanaticism becomes explosive.

Using clips of the film as a point of departure, a panel of experts will explore the many issues surrounding the practice of Islam in the Diaspora -- with particular focus on the South Asian Muslim communities of New York City -- on June 22 beginning at 6:30 pm at the Asia Society.

Issues to discuss will include: the practice of Islam in non-Muslim countries; the depiction of Islam in the film and in the media more generally; the phenomenon of younger Muslims turning toward a stricter practice of Islam; and an exploration of the diasporic South Asian Muslim communities in the New York area.

Panelists: Dr Shiva Balaghi, associate director of the Kevorkian Center at NYU, where she also teaches. Previously, she has taught at the University of Vermont and the University of Michigan. Her research and teaching interests include cultural history and gender issues in the modern Middle East. She holds a Ph D from the University of Michigan.

Munir Jiwa, research associate at Columbia University, where he is involved in research on the Muslim communities in New York City in particular, the Isma'ili Muslim community, and South Asian Muslim women artists.

Naeem Mohaiemen, manager, HBO Interactive Ventures. He is also involved in activism on the web (http://www.shobak.org) and is the New York correspondent for The Daily Star in Bangladesh. He is also an associate editor for SAMAR (South Asian Magazine for Action & Reflection) in NY.

Feisal Abdul Raouf, Imam of Masjid al-Farah in New York City since 1983. He is president of the American Sufi Muslim Association, teaches Islam at New York Seminary, and is the author of Islam: A Search for Meaning.

The panel discussion is organized by the Asia Society and Friends of SAJA (South Asian Journalists Association).

The Asia Society is at 725 Park Avenue (70th @ Park)

Call 212.517.ASIA to register or email . $7 for Asia Society/SAJA members; $10 for non-members. Students free. Program includes refreshments.

If you would like to post any information about forthcoming events or community happenings, please email the details to bettypais@aol.com

Information and photographs can also be mailed to Betty Pais at 87-52 108th Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Hill, NY 11418-2229, USA.

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