One Out of Many: The Civic and Religious in American Muslim Life

American Muslims regularly encounter a tacit distinction between the civic and religious spheres of their daily lives. Islamic legal norms are not invoked incessantly to highlight the differences between Muslims and their fellow citizens, but instead are considered relevant for particular issues at...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: R. David Coolidge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/2/170
Description
Summary:American Muslims regularly encounter a tacit distinction between the civic and religious spheres of their daily lives. Islamic legal norms are not invoked incessantly to highlight the differences between Muslims and their fellow citizens, but instead are considered relevant for particular issues at particular times. Through examining examples of how Muslims engage with the American economic and legal system, it is shown that much of one’s engagement with the civic structures of American life is seen as unproblematic. Understanding this distinction helps Muslims participating in American life to properly conceptualize the relationship between their religious faith and their roles as citizens in the larger body politic.
ISSN:2077-1444