| Summary: | In the recent and coming future, religion shares its dimension as one of significant
elements in the fast changing world. In this information era engineered by the
advancement of technology, the research underlines an inevitable notion that
human beings and their social, political, religious and cultural matrix are now
inter-related. The dissertation seeks to explore a part of humanity issue on how
the redefinition of identity related to religion often occurs in our everyday life.
Of both ordering and disordering event, 9/11 uproar is just before us in the
beginning of millennia of the twenty-first century. It is urgent then, for any
religious entities to take a look back to their own tradition of faith and its relation
to other beliefs. Religion is enlightening but too fragile in the face of ignorance
and misunderstanding such as found in Islamophobia. This significant aspect of
how religion must support tolerance, equality and peace becomes the foundation
of this thesis.
Applying critical discourse analysis method, the research seeks to explore
the intertwined statements derived from the state, popular culture, religious
scholars and communities and interfaith initiatives. In order to shed light the
relationship between religion and identity, emphasis is on the redefinition of
American Muslims as part of American fabric of citizenry.
The study showed that the redefinition of American Muslims is manifest
through various agencies in the aftermath of 9/11. Although the (re)constructed
identity of being peaceful and openly Muslims has always been challenged by the
power of the state, the media and the hate group, they need to gain the equality of
power through the view of jihad as anti-war, volunteering, justice and peace.
Based on Michel Foucault�s power/knowledge theory, the power will create
knowledge that Islam is the religion that paid attention to humanity. Gaining
power through struggle, the knowledge then creates power that American
Muslims are peaceful entities. Furthermore, as both Muslims and the citizen of the
state witnessing the 9/11 uproar, it seems that American Muslims must unite their
vision. It includes how they negotiate the standpoint of aspiration, voice, freedom,
inspiration, education, faith, ethics, moral wisdom, and civic or public reason in
the public sphere. This vision constitutes justice and religious responsibility as
part of the human race in the hallmark scene of America in the future.
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