Engagement with mosques and faith-based organizations: Belonging, and identity of second-generation immigrants from the MENA region

• In Event: 20452 - MENA Global Migration and Identities

Abstract

American Muslims continue to grapple with questions of belonging and identity. Many second-generation Muslims have had to deal with the socio-political aftermath of post 9/11, which was tainted with experiences of discrimination, marginalization, Islamophobia and otherization. The recent resurgence of right-wing politics has reinvigorated the conversation around the status of Muslims and immigrants in society. In a time of crisis Muslims traditionally have looked towards the mosque as a place of belonging. However, the younger Muslim population is increasingly feeling disillusioned with the mosque and are looking towards faith-based organizations to fulfil their religious and social needs.
This paper examines whether these spaces have been successful in creating spaces where racial, and ethnic divisions within the Muslim community can be transcended or not. Examination of ethnically centered mosques and diverse faith-based organizations provides an interesting point of comparison where they are both catering to distinct segments of the Muslim population. The findings based on 50 in-depth interviews with young second-generation Muslim immigrants whose parents migrated from the MENA region, residing in Washington D.C. metropolitan area suggest that mosques cater to the religious and social needs of an older first-generation Muslim immigrant segment of society. This segment of society wishes to persevere their ethnic and cultural identities stemming from their country of origin whereas faith-based groups cater to the needs of the younger second-generation Muslim immigrant segment of society who are seeking to create a sense of belonging with other young Muslim in effort to transcend racial, ethnic divisions by engaging with the local civil society in a variety of ways. Participation in faith-based organizations also leads to a distinct form of Muslim American identity which is socially distant from the ethnic roots of their parents.

Author

• Aleezay Khaliq, Loyola University Maryland