The U.S. and Freedom of Religion

The controversy over the construction of an Islamic center near ground zero — the location of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — made the president of the United States, Barack Obama, who is Protestant, feel the need to raise his voice. The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish, had previously supported him.

Although its beginning was low profile because it was considered to be New York City’s own business, Obama’s participation in the discussion shows that issues of Islam and the West, Islam and being American, as well as religion and freedom of religion have not been settled in the United States.

Those who reject this mosque, including former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and religious and political conservatives, consider Islam to be responsible for the tragedy of Sept. 11. Many families of the victims feel that the construction of an Islamic center near the site betrays the victims. Their rejection also reveals the perception of Islam as an enemy of America and a threat to security.

On the other hand, for Obama, Bloomberg and many other Americans, Islam and the tragedy of Sept. 11 have to be differentiated from one another. Islam has been a part of America for centuries, although it only began to develop in the 20th century. The leaders and population of Muslim America are, for the most part, young, middle-class and politically liberal, continually contributing to the development and progress of America.

The majority of Muslims in America are very concerned about terrorism and the emergence of religious extremism. Because of this, more and more Muslims have given voice to a progressive and inclusive vision of Islam in America.

Obama pressed that freedom of religion must not be shaken. Islam teaches justice, peace and tolerance; al-Qaida is a distortion of Islam.

The plans to burn the Quran and anti-Islamic statements in the mass media and Internet show that a part of the population indeed does not know about the Quran or Islam.

Islamophobia

Obama’s support for freedom of religion has emerged within the still-developing context of Islamophobia in America, where part of the population is still suspicious of the Muslim community after Sept. 11. Because of that, Obama’s open firmness at many opportunities guards hope that he will fulfill promises made during his campaign and at the beginning of his governance.

Obama’s support for the construction of the Islamic center also proves his commitment to a feeling of justice for Muslim Americans, who now number seven million people. Because the American census does not record religious affiliation, nation of origin and language become Muslim demographic signs. Most Muslims in America want to keep being Muslim — Sunni, Shia, Nation of Islam or without affiliation — while simultaneously being citizens who are dutiful, educated and progressive.

According to surveys, more than half of Muslim Americans do not put Islam, democracy and pluralism in opposition to each other. Many advocacy organizations work together with the White House and law enforcement to create strategies in the areas of public policy, civil rights and other public issues. Many Muslim citizens are involved in local government and NGOs of the Muslim community, as well as the interfaith community. The more Muslims participate in social and political life, the more moderate and harmonious their thoughts and attitudes toward the mainstream American public are.

The Hegemonic Paradigm

Toward the development of Islam in the U.S., there are at least two groups. The first group are those who want to strengthen the Protestant roots of the nation, and who see immigration (including Muslim immigration) that is limitless as gnawing at that root, as is expressed in Samuel Huntington’s book, Who are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity (2004). In accordance with this hegemonic paradigm, many circles see Islam as a threat to democratic and liberal values.

The second group, as defined by Diana Eck and John L. Esposito, are those who see America as increasingly pluralistic. Many circles see more important roles for Muslims as American citizens that have rights and obligations, just like followers of other religions and even non-religious people. Islam and Islam in America have become a part of the curriculum in schools and higher education in America.

The pluralism of religion in the U.S. in the contemporary age — starting from tolerance and inclusion to participation — goes hand in hand with principles of freedom of religion. Although it is not without debate, freedom of religion becomes the commitment of each American leader. Practicing and not practicing religion becomes a fundamental private and communal right as long as it does not interfere with the freedom of others and the public order. The freedom to practice Islam must be fairly guarded, just like the freedom to practice Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and in fact to live without a religious affiliation.

People can say Indonesia is different from America. But interaction and shared learning between the nations of the world has happened since early centuries. America learns from the history of Spanish, English, Northern Irish, African, Asian and other immigrants. Although now a majority, the Protestant religion was not the original religion of the U.S. population. In Indonesia, Islam and other religions of the world that have developed there are not the original religions, but all emerged because the people were open to outside ideas, harmonized them with and adapted them to local traditions until they also developed.

Just and Humane

There is no policy of official religion in the U.S. On the other hand, Indonesia acknowledges that there are official religions and the state guarantees diversity and freedom of religion to every citizen. Although the implementation of freedom of religion is not strict, it must be in accordance with the principles of justice and humanity.

The policies of the leader must be just toward the followers of religions and beliefs as dictated by law and regulations. The principle is that being a Muslim minority in the U.S. should not be any different from being a Muslim of a different sect or a non-Muslim minority in Indonesia.

In the U.S., freedom of religion is not without limits. It’s a mistake if one thinks that freedom of religion in that country is without limits. Laws clearly limit the application of the freedom of religion. Therefore, the construction of the mosque in New York must also follow the regulations in effect.

The commitment to freedom of religion and equal rights must not be shaken, although it must conflict with various people that do not know and do not care. The right to religion must still be fought for in a more serious way in this third largest democracy in the world.