“IN America, Ramadan may feel more of a test for Muslims as the society around us is not fasting together. We continue our regular work hours, our classes in school, and so on,” said Anisa Mehdi to the Saudi Gazette. “It is a blessing to explore the extent of our “self-restraint” under these circumstances. To me victory feels very good,” she said. Anisa Mehdi is an Emmy award-winning journalist specializing in religion, the arts and people. For more than 20 years she has reported, written, directed and produced television news and documentary programs for major American media outlets, including National Geographic, PBS, ABC News and CBS. Her commentaries are heard on NPR's award-winning newscast All Things Considered. Mehdi writes perspective pieces for newspapers, magazines and Internet sites and lectures worldwide on Islam and the media. She also led several teams of photojournalists covering the Haj pilgrimage in February 2003. Talking about the freedom to practice one's religion in America, Mehdi said, “We have the freedom to worship. There are rare occasions when bigotry and violence interrupt our worship, but this holds true for people of all faiths since even Jews, Christians and others also suffer bigotry and violence from time to time.” Interestingly, she said, she has found that over the past decade or so there is an increasing interest in Ramadan in America. Some people wonder how Muslims survive such a long test of will each day and others express admiration for fasting Muslims. “One thing is certain, though: there is no single American view about Ramadan. There are about 300 million Americans and many different views on everything!” For Mehdi, Ramadan means that she “must be aware of my promises to God, my family, my colleagues and to myself in a physical way, not just mental. I am reminded by my empty stomach that the world is greater than my needs. It means to be extra gentle and giving. To smile more. To keep my complaints to myself.” When asked about community activities in Ramadan, she replied that American Muslims invite people to Iftar dinners and students host events on campus. Interfaith organizations are on the rise, reaching out to people of other religions to promote understanding and community well-being. There are crescent and star symbols decorating homes and some public places in a show of celebration and identity for Muslims. “It's very exciting to see the growing acceptance of Ramadan in America,” she said. “Ramadan is an especially good time for Muslims to put across the real picture of Islam,” she said. Increasingly, Muslims are welcoming people from other faiths to Iftars at home and at Islamic centers, and the media is playing a crucial role in combating Islamophobia. Mosques and national Muslim organizations have put information sheets together for reporters, and have opened their doors to the press which helps them present the facts correctly. “Still, there is a long way to go,” she said. “Probably the toughest ongoing challenge for freedom of worship for Muslims here is having the opportunity to take time off from work for Juma'ah – Friday prayer.” As their weekend is over Saturday and Sunday, Muslims have to make their own arrangements for Fridays. Mehdi said that the biggest challenge Muslims face during Ramadan is their sense of isolation from the society around them. People in America do not lift their eyes to minarets to see the lights go on, to signal the time for Iftar. They do not hear the adhan called in towns. And sometimes, it is physically difficult to fast and complete their regular tasks. She feels that Imams at mosques can play an important role in the Muslim communities in America. “Imams can deliver objective sermons which address real-life issues of their communities. The governing board of the mosque may have guidelines about sermons, but the government does not interfere,” she added. On a question regarding the spiraling number of people embracing Islam in the US, she said, “Islam speaks for itself, doesn't it? No matter what stereotypes are promoted or misinformation is put out in the media, Allah reaches people's hearts. Society is waking up and reacting to Muslim practices and culture, and I believe an appropriate balance will be found.” “Patience is the key to express the real spirit of Islam. Muslims in the US have an excellent opportunity to grow into a model for Islam in a pluralist society. We must patiently persevere.” __
