Asian Indian Muslims in the United States

Asian Indian Muslims in America

The current Muslim population in the United States is made of people from extraordinary social, economic, ethnic, linguistic, racial, and ideological groups. While the exact size of the Muslim-American population is relatively difficult to determine and estimate, Asian Indian Muslims account for a significant portion of this population. Actually, Indian-Americans are reportedly the second-largest single-race group from Asian ancestry in the United States. The huge size of Asian Indian Muslims in America is partly attributed to the fact that India is the most populous country in South Asia with a population of 900 million people of diverse language, ethnicity, and religion. It is estimated that 12% of India's population are Muslims since the country's Islamic presence took place around 8th Century AD.

Asian Indian Muslims in the United States originated from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. While this group migrated to America with higher academic levels and as English speakers, they have retained their own cultural values and consider themselves different than other Asian-Americans. A significant portion of Asian Indian Muslims have fared well in the United States since they are professionals working as doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs. However, the 9/11 attacks encouraged them to become active participants in politics as they practice their faith more openly and challenge fundamentalist Islamic beliefs and practices. These efforts have been geared towards ensuring that they harmonize the teachings of Islam with American values and culture.

For Asian Indian Muslims in the United States, spirituality begins during childhood since the parents' role is not to bring up children to be independent but to instill spirituality by teaching them duty towards the family. Therefore, religion is a major part of these people's lives and religious communities play a vital role in shaping values about moral practices and group identity. Some of the religious and spiritual practices of Asian Indian Muslims in America include recognizing Muhammad as God, praying at least five times daily, and practicing fasting during specific times in the Islamic Calendar such as Ramadan. The highest law in this group's religious beliefs is the sanctity of life in which they believe that life is sacred in all its forms. Contemporary religious and spiritual practices of Asian Indian Muslims in America include more activities and women. The population also has belief that the soul will reincarnate till it reaches the stage of release from Karma.

The conventional Asian Indian Muslim family is extended given that these people view marriage and family as the most important and fundamental contribution to the society. Even though relationships between men and women are unique, they are always harmonious. Regardless of whether the wife earns, the economic responsibility for maintaining a family is mandated on the husband. However, Asian Indian Muslim women have challenges balancing freedoms in Western culture and limitations from pressures from the society and religion. In light of the aftermath of 9/11 attacks, Asian Indian Muslims and other Islamic populations have experienced and felt increased discrimination.