Organised by EMU Cyprus Policy Center, a seminar entitled ‘’Islam in America’’ took place EMU at Political Science and International Relations Department with the participation of Paul Wulfsberg, Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen delivered the opening address and introduced Mr. Paul Wulfsberg who studied political science and economics at Swarthmore College and worked in Cairo as a copyeditor at Al-Ahram Weekly after he graduated from college in Egypt. Before he joined the Foreign Service in 2013, Wulfsberg taught Arabic language at Harvard University for three years.
During the seminar, Wulfsberg stated that in recent years especially after 9/11, Islam has become one of the most important issues in world politics as well as in the USA, where approximately between 2 and 7 million Muslims reside. Wulfsberg gave some important statical information about Muslims living in USA. According to statistics, most of the Muslims were born in USA (35%). The rest , who were born in different countries, came to USA as immigrants. As Wulfsberg highlighted, the most common reason to immigrate is educational opportunity (26%) in USA. Secondly, Muslims immigrate to USA to have better life standarts. This means they seek economic opportunity (24%) in country. Thirdly, family reunion (24%) plays a role in their decision taking process to come to USA. Moreover, political conflict (20%) has an important impact on the decision to immigrate to USA.
After introducing basic information about Muslims in USA, Paul Wulfsberg focused on Muslims’ daily life in workplaces, in schools and in the army. He stated that US as a secular country does not impose any particular religion. Each religion can be exercised within the country. In this sense, Muslims have the right to do their religious practices. In workplaces, Muslims can pray and do their religious practices. In schools, Muslim students can have religious holidays. Also in the army, they can carry out those practises.
While today Muslims are enjoying with religious freedom in USA, Paul Wulfsberg mentioned that in 1950s there was widespread discrimination against Afro-American Muslims in USA. There was always debate about Muslims but, the debate over Muslims in America became particularly prominent during the 2008 presidential elections. It was discussed whether candidate Barrack Obama was Muslim or not.
Wulfsberg added that today there are very famous Muslims living in USA. Those people are known well by American people. For instance Mehmet Öz is the famous doctor, Muhammed Ali is the famous boxer, Mona Eltahawy is the famous journalist, Fareed Zakaria is the famous writer and thinker in USA. Wulfsberg also stated that in 2008 the first Muslim was elected to the Congress.
At the end of the seminar, Paul Wulfsberg stated that Muslims who are living in the USA, have rights to do their religious practices. Although there are ongoing discussions and biases about Muslims, people continue their life as usual in the USA.
