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<\/a>Tuesday\u2019s presidential election results proved traumatic for a number of Muslim Americans. Almost immediately a spectrum of emotions reigned \u2014 fear, confusion, uncertainty, disbelief, affirmation and even, determination.<\/p>\n
Like other Americans, many of us are shocked that misogyny, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia seemingly prevailed \u2013 embodied in a single individual who will now occupy the most powerful position in the world.<\/p>\n
Some remain understandably fearful of that almost surreal development and its implications, from civil rights and civil liberties to U.S. interventionism abroad. Still, others view the results as affirming long-standing convictions about racism in contemporary America. Significantly, we are also determined to navigate the certain challenges ahead with strength and courage.<\/p>\n
In response to this vast morass of sometimes conflicting emotions and viewpoints, I turned to diverse members of our community \u2013 leaders, scholars, activists and professionals \u2013 who took a moment to share their insights, perspective and inspiration for contemplation.<\/p>\n
Next: Dr. Azhar Azeez<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Azhar Azeez<\/strong><\/p>\n In his thoughts, Dr. Azeez, who currently heads the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), reflected,<\/p>\n Many American Muslim families, men, women, children and teens, are traumatized by the result of the election and the fear of what is to come. It is important as a community that the healing process begin\u2026.Muslims, as all Americans of faith, put our trust in God and pray for guidance for our leaders to serve the cause of righteousness and for the best for this country and for the people of the world.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As reality sinks in, some Muslim Americans have already begun discussing the significance of Muslim American engagement with a Trump administration. On a related note, Dr. Azeez shared,<\/p>\n It is impossible to deny that this phase of our history, now passed, has been particularly difficult for Muslims and other minorities. It does no good to re-live this. The Quran reminds us that it may be that there may be things we do not like but are good for us nonetheless (2:216). We pray that this is one of those times and that good comes to America\u2026We hope that Mr. Trump and his team reaches out to the Muslim community and to other minority communities currently in fear, and not merely those that supported his presidential campaign. \u00a0Mr. Trump\u2019s victory speech has perhaps started this new tone, one that we hope continues. Mr. Trump will provide a great service to the nation by assuring fellow Americans that his\u00a0administration will not abandon fundamental values of cherishing equal protection under the law, and equal opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, national origin, gender, religion, or other constitutionally protected categories.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Of course, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with engaging a Trump administration. Throughout former President George Bush\u2019s presidency, spanning the course of eight (8) arduous years, Muslim Americans consistently engaged all levels of our federal government to challenge policies and practices that violated the U.S. Constitution, founding national values and even international law.<\/p>\n Next: Imam Suhaib Webb<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Imam Suhaib Webb<\/strong><\/p>\n As we consider strategic parameters surrounding future engagement with the incoming administration, Imam Suhaib shares a powerful and timely reminder,<\/p>\n A Trump presidency will present a large set of problems for many Americans, including American Muslims. While talk of healing and moving forward is important, maintaining principles is more so. We cannot heal until a sincere apology to immigrants, Hispanics, Blacks, Native American women, the disabled and others is issued, and we cannot heal until we see how the [U.S. Department of Justice], under Trump, engages Muslims and others.<\/p>\n If working with a Trump administration demands that we forgo our principles, then we need to find other means to work around it: community organizing, developing strategic relations with other communities and others that ensure the respect and humanity of all is honored and appreciated. Intersectional piety demands this! We must develop a sophisticated theology that maintains our orthodoxy, while ensuring our dignity and security. Allah says, \u201cWork together on goodness and do not contribute to sin.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Next: Kameelah Rashad<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kameelah Rashad<\/strong><\/p>\n Significantly, both Dr. Azeez and Imam Suhaib acknowledge the need for healing. Kameelah Rashad, a chaplain and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, shares this sentiment. The founder of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, with almost fifteen (15) years of experience in psychology and mental health, Kameelah provides the following perspective:<\/p>\n At this time of uncertainty, confusion and despair, we must create a space for all in our community, especially the most vulnerable (women, children, youth, undocumented, refugee) to process our anxiety, fear, grief and devastation. Those most at risk members of our community cannot simply be told to \u201chave no fear, be calm and place your trust in Allah\u201d.<\/p>\n Of course, as Believers in God\u2019s mercy and protection, we have absolute faith in the Creator. And we are human. We all need comfort, validation and reassurance from others in our lives- especially those we look to for guidance. Now is not the time to be tone deaf and dismissive of the emotional toll this election has taken, not just in this moment but the cumulative effect of coping with bigotry and violence that has spiked over the last 18-24 months.<\/p>\n Reach out to individual families, inquire about their well-being, organize a town hall or community meeting for folks to gather together, provide mental health resources for those who may need more support. Demonstrate through word and deed that our leaders will offer spiritual guidance and pastoral care.<\/p>\n I urge Muslim leaders to unequivocally acknowledge the hurt and pain many of us are experiencing. To exemplify the prophetic model of kindness, compassion, the willingness to listen and affirm; to show a deep humility and appreciation for the helplessness and anger many are feeling on a deep visceral level.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Next: Wajahat Ali<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wajahat Ali<\/strong><\/p>\n From managing anxieties surrounding mass deportations to responding to increased bias-based bullying in public schools around the country, Muslim American children and youth have been forefront on our collective psyche. In the aftermath of our country\u2019s vote, many parents grappled about how to explain such results to their children.<\/p>\n Wajahat Ali, an award-winning playwright, journalist and attorney who recently joined The Huffiington Post team as a Host and Contributor, shared the following insights for this article,<\/p>\n A quick note for those who are despondent, especially the youth. This too shall pass. My generation (barely) survived the Bush Years during 9-11. The two towers fell when I was a Senior at UC Berkeley, a board member of the Muslim Student Association. The subsequent backlash, the right wing authoritarianism, the massive expanse of powers, the detention of innocents, the deportation of immigrants, the brutal unnecessary wars left a wound that still bleeds to this day. In 2004, we were convinced America would have enough but they chose Bush over Kerry. Many died, but the Earth still spun, the Sun still came out, and in 2008 we elected a Muslim, Kenyan, Socialist President by the name of Obama.<\/p>\n Things change, but you have to be part of that change. If anything, be mobilized and energized. Learn from the mistakes, double down and realize the demographics of this country are shifting. Many Republicans realize this was a reckless, dangerous, pyrrhic victory.<\/p>\n We gotta throw down like our parents. It sucks, but it means some of us have to work twice as hard, be twice as smart, be twice as fast, be twice as sharp, reach out across the aisle, build the coalitions, write our narratives \u2013 with our blood and sweat as ink if necessary, engage the grassroots, the media, the financial sector, academia, think tanks, politics and just dominate (with a smile and a Coke).<\/p>\n Prophet Muhammad said even if you see Judgment Day around the corner, plant the seed. Well, some might say Trump is one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, but don\u2019t give up hope. Plant the seed. Make it grow. Let it provide comfort, shade and fruit for everyone. Long term game \u2013 if we survive until that time (and we will).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Next: Fatima Salman<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fatima Salman<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s not just children and youth in our public schools who are navigating these challenging times. Muslim American university students are also coping in a climate of rising Islamophobia. Fatima Salman, Executive Director of the Muslim Students Association \u2013 National, has described Muslims students as being on the frontline in our collective struggle against anti-Muslim bigotry and discrimination. She imparted this post-election results advice,<\/p>\n I have constantly been thinking of the hadith of the Prophet (SAW)<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of good\/happiness befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him.\u00a0If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Although I am worried about the future, I also know that there is always a silver lining\u00a0found in difficult situations. We must keep working towards our goals with\u00a0the\u00a0recognition of our challenges, and stay patient as we do our work.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Like so many other Muslim American women, Fatima reminds us of the role that strong, educated and courageous women continue to play in advancing our community\u2019s strategic interests, similar to those who featured below.<\/p>\n Next: Maha Elgenaidi<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maha Elgenaidi<\/strong><\/p>\n The Executive Director of the Islamic Networks Group, Maha Elgenaidi is actively engaged in increasing religious literacy about Islam in the public square. She recently shared,<\/p>\n I am hopeful that Trump\u2019s election provides an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of one another, beyond the caricatures and the sound bites we\u2019ve been assaulted with throughout the campaign. Knowing our neighbors and developing a deeper understanding in one another reveals our common humanity.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Like so many other Muslims, the presidential election results only strengthened Maha\u2019s commitment to service,<\/p>\n We are rededicating ourselves to the important and continuing work of supporting the interfaith community, schools, universities and public institutions such as law enforcement agencies in religious literacy work and engagement. We are also here to support our Muslim youth and parents in bullying prevention and challenging bigotry in all its forms.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Next: Daisy Khan<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Daisy Khan<\/strong><\/p>\n In a similar vein, Daisy Khan, who serves as the Executive Director of WISE Muslim Women, explained,<\/p>\n On November 8, America elected Donald J. Trump as the 45th<\/sup>\u00a0President of the United States. Many now look to America and wonder how we could have made such an a choice \u2013 to elect someone with no political or military experience, who has insulted Muslims, women and many minority groups. As American Muslims, we now have a choice. We can let this divisiveness and ignorance continue to flourish, and let it tear us apart from within; or, we can redouble\u00a0our efforts to create a long lasting solution by proactively affirming our commitment to a shared civic life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Next: Sister Aisha Al-Adawiya<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>