Muslims in America

Muslims in America

America today is made up of many different cultures as well as people that are in them. Not only is America diverse by the different races of people but also by their culture. In America we have many different cultures and from those cultures come subcultures. Which is a group in society which does not follow the main stream of things? Some of the more famous ones would be gays and lesbians, bikers, farmers and homeless. It’s not just in America where you can find subcultures like these. But only in America will you find as many subcultures as you do.

The subculture I chose is Muslims in America. Since September 11th this subculture has almost popped out and is now seen more by the American people. Because the attack on the Towers was by Muslims everyone that is American wants to know an answer to their biggest question “Why did they do that to us?” As Muslims they almost have to fend for their people but at the same time they ARE Americans and are just as hurt as the next person walking down the street. So to the average American you have to look at their components of their subculture to really understand where they are coming from and why such a horrible thing had happened. These components are symbols, language, values, and a norm.

A symbol is anything that stands for something else. Some symbols in the Muslim community are the Koran, Sunnah and prayers. The Koran and Sunnah are

Symbols because they stand for what the people believe in. They are the story behind what had happened or didn’t happen. Also it is what they believe or what they follow. Another symbol is the church bells that go off at least 5 times a day. When they go off it is meant for the Muslims to go and pray. Which leads to the next symbol of prayer?

Prayer is probably one of the biggest symbols that there is in the Muslim Society. Prayer is also know as the Sujud. Since it is so important you have no choice but to do it when it is time. As for the Christian American they usually pray on Sundays and depending on how much they are into their religion pray at meals. The Muslim Society is much stricter with their ways of prayer. You pray five times a day and are required to do them. The way you pray is displayed as different ways you put your body. For example when you are kneeling and almost kissing the floor there is a certain prayer that is supposes to be said. If you do not say the prayer right you might be disrespecting the entire community.

There is one man who is a Muslim and lives in an American society. He is a well known doctor in his community and a devote Muslim which shows. At the hospital when it is time to pray he goes into his office pulls out his rug and prays. Even though his co-workers were not Muslims they respected his religious beliefs and went on about their work while he prayed in his office. (http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/muslimlife/)

The next component of subcultures is language. For the most part Muslims speak English in America but when they pray or go the they mosque they speak Arabic. A difference from the American culture that they have is some sign language. You can’t just give someone the peace symbol because they might think that it is giving them the finger.

The next component is values. Values are shared beliefs about what is good or bad what is wrong or right and what is desirable and undesirable. The most obvious value that the Muslims have is their religion. Their religion is what they live by. They are praying all the time they are dressing the way they are because of this. Their religion is monotheistic. What most people don’t know is that they believe in God just like Christians but they way their story goes are different. Also their religion is very strict in the since that if you don’t follow the rule to key that you may be exiled. But also in retrospect it can be lenient. Such as women working in the Americas. But back in the home land they are not allowed to work. By being an American that allows the women to work and also have a part in supporting her family. And since they are Americans now they have that freedom which is a very important value to them.

The next and last component is a norm. A norm is