U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript

Islam in America - Women's Issues and Tolerance in American Society

Guest:     Seema Matin
Date:       Thursday, June 12, 2007
Time:      12:00 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT)

Moderator: Welcome to today's webchat with Seema Matin! The live chat will begin shortly. You may send in your questions now or anytime during the live chat.

Seema Matin: Hi I am Seema Matin and I am really pleased to be here to chat with you all.

Question [SSN]: Ms. Matin, is it difficult for Muslim woman from abroad to live in USA?

Answer [Seema Matin]: Not at all. There are many Muslim women from different parts of the world who live easily and comfortably in the USA. It is helpful if you try to get involved with your local community and neighborhood. Most everyone I know who comes from another country remark how friendly and welcoming Americans are -- in fact -- you will find most Americans are quite curious about learning about other people's cultures and traditions.

Q [qarabaqi]: Hello dear Seema, your name sounds Iranian. What is your idea about women's situation in Iran, comparing with other countries in this region?

A: Hello Qarabaqi. I was born and raised in the United States but my parents are originally from Pakistan. My mother is actually half Kashmiri and half Afghani so I believe I might actually have some Persian blood!  Some of my cousins on my mother's side are as beautiful as Persian women.

I have never been to Iran so I can't speak about their situation or compare it to other regions. However, as a daughter of Pakistani immigrants, I used to travel to Pakistan to visit some of my relatives. I learned early on there are very strong, independent women all over the world!

It is my personal opinion that women's empowerment issues are not only a problem for one part of the world or another but it is an issue all over the world -- everywhere.

Q [Abu Morgan]: Hi and thank you for this topic. Is there something special about American society and American values that supports personal choice in religion?  Do you find Americans to be welcoming of the hijab in the workplace and in your daily life? Are there many covered Muslims at the Department of State?

A: Hi Abu Morgan. Yes, I think freedom of religion which is guaranteed by our Constitution makes American society and values special regarding supporting personal choice in religion. In other parts of the world, for example, I would not have the freedom to choose whether I wanted to wear the hijab. Depending on what country, I would either be forced to wear it or forced not to wear it.

I believe personal choice is key when it comes to religious values. If a government attempts to influence morals and values then the people do what needs to be done to protect themselves from violating the laws but they don't do it with conviction and understanding. It can become meaningless. The opposite happens when you interfere with a person's religious values -- if you tell them they can't express themselves as their faith requires -- I believe that is no better than when you are forced to do so. Again, you are taking a person's choice from them.

In my case, I was the first one in my family to do the hijab. I decided to observe the hijab after I completed my first hajj (religious pilgrimage) in 1995. Thankfully, I live in a country where I could take this step that is so important to me as a Muslim. Thankfully, I live in a country where I can go to university while wearing the hijab, I can work in an office environment and more importantly, I can work for my government and represent my country while wearing the hijab.

I am well aware that someone like me (and there are many like me in the U.S.) can be a reality in this country. And I am always thankful for that.

Q [aimee Cabrera]: Does any discrimination with women who live under the Islam culture exist in the U.S. after September 2001?

A: I think discrimination exists in all cultures and can be found in every part of the world. But for me, what makes the United States so special and wonderful, is the constitution. All of us -- no matter our skin color, religion, gender, etc are equal citizens of this country and are protected under the same laws. Therefore, if there is an instance of discrimination, we have a course of action we can take to correct the situation.

Personally, I have been blessed and have not faced discrimination before or after 9/11. In fact, quite the opposite. In the days after 9/11 - the Muslim community in my hometown heard about some unfortunate cases of backlash against Muslims and other minorities.

My father was approached by several members of the Muslim community in our small, rural hometown to ask the local police if they could provide our Mosque with extra protection for our weekly Friday prayers. My father decided it was a good idea and went to the police station on the Thursday after 9/11. He spoke to the police sergeant and explained to him about the Muslim congregational prayers and if the police could send a patrol car to watch the mosque and its congregation while they pray. The police sergeant smiled and said "Sir, we have been sending a patrol car to watch your mosque every hour on the hour since 9/11 because we heard about the backlash in other areas and we were not going to let that happen in our town." My father left the station in tears because he was so moved by their kindness.

In fact in the days after 9/11, we received flowers, visits, and support from all of our non muslim neighbors. A former teacher of mine (who is Jewish) was crying over the phone because she was afraid for me because I was wearing the hijab. I had to comfort her and tell her everything was going to be okay!

All of these stories represent to me the best of what America is -- is the America I grew up with and the America I have always known.

Q [kona]: A common view held of women by Islam is that they are citizens of second class and should not interfere in the world of men.  How do Islamic families cope with this philosophy?

A: Actually it is not a common view in Islam that women are second class citizens and should not interfere in the world of men. I know very few Muslim women (and men) who hold that view. Discrimination, racism, sexism exist is all cultures regardless of race or religion. However, if you see that in the Muslim world, it is not because of Islam but because of their own personal biases or traditions.

That is why Muslim American women feel very comfortable in the United States because their religion emancipated and gave women rights that women did not have before Islam. Even in the United States, women's equality and rights have come a long way from the time that some of my female colleagues (who are older than me) have seen -- even in the workplace.

Q [cario irc]: Regarding the hijab, from the sort of cultural tensions now seen in some parts of Europe, please tell me about wearing the hijab in the United States? Ali Eid.

A: Hello Ali Eid. I have never had any problems wearing the hijab in the United States. I also make an effort to make sure people are comfortable with me -- I smile and talk to them if I sense anyone is unsure of how to act around me. There are misconceptions about the hijab and I think, in shallah, they will change. I think it’s important for people to know that for many of us in America -- it is a personal choice -- something that was not forced upon by our parents or spouses etc. I think it’s important for people to know that educated, career-oriented women observe the hijab.

To tell you the truth, I think I faced more discrimination and bias from Muslims. I have never had a problem with non-Muslims.

I think it is easier to do the hijab in America because of our diversity and respect for other cultures. Also, our laws protecting religious freedom and protecting us against discrimination are also huge reasons why I think wearing the hijab is easier than in other countries whether they are Muslim countries or not.

Q [ACKG]: I read somewhere that the American values are very consistent with Islamic values. Do you share that opinion? Slavica, AC KG, Serbia.

A: Yes, I do share that opinion. I have always felt that. I was raised in a home where I was taught that being a Muslim and being an American was not a conflict at all because there are so many shared values.

Q [Naimat Ullah Khan - LC Karachi]: Hi Ms. Matin. As you are in close cooperation with the Saudi Government, do you think that you have done enough to encourage cultural independence for the American-Muslim women who visit or settle in Saudia? As far as Saudi society is concerned, do you think you could play a vital role for women’s empowerment in Saudi society?  If there are some possibilities, kindly discuss it so the people could be benefited.

A: I was actually posted to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh from 2002-2004. As I have mentioned, there are strong women everywhere in the world, and you will find some of the strongest in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed my time there and was blessed to have visited the holy cities many times during my posting.

Q [Bobur]: How many Islam people live in USA?

A: I have heard anywhere from 2 million to as many as 7 million Muslims live in the U.S.

Q [cario irc]: Dear Ms. Seema Matin, education that is the primary tool to effectively mold the thinking of an upcoming generation. Education is rarely presented as a method to enhance one's own understanding of the universe for a better future. What about the education process for the Muslim kids in American Schools? Ali Eid, Cairo, Egypt.

A: Muslim American kids undergo the same education process as other Americans. Some go to private schools, some go to public schools. There are also many Islamic schools that have opened up in recent years due to their popularity among Muslims who wish to give their children an Islamic education.

Moderator: Participants in today's chat may be interested in the U.S. State Department, Bureau of International Information Programs online publication Muslim Life in America.

Q [Naimat Ullah Khan - LC Karachi]: Well, Seema, I'm glad to know that your origin is Pakistani. Would you kindly tell me that what are Pakistani women's basic concerns to fit into an American society?

A: As I have mentioned, it is quite easy to fit into American society and retain your values or cultural traditions. You will find that there is popularity here in the United States for Desi food and clothes -- even movies! I think for some Pakistani women -- language can be an issue. I think it’s important to learn English because it is much easier to assimilate into society.

Q [cario irc]: What about the role of American Muslims and NGOs in organizing conferences to explain the core of Islam to non-Muslims to support dialogue among civilizations? Ali Eid, Cairo, Egypt.

A: Before 9/11 there was some interfaith dialogue that mosques would do with other faiths however, after 9/11, that increased a great deal. American Muslims are increasingly participating in such efforts to help diminish misconceptions people may have of Islam and Muslims.

Q [qarabaqi]: Dear Seema, some religious leaders in the Islamic world (and in Iran) believe that the hijab in our time is different from the time when women didn't go out of home. They believe that if someone has to put off her head dress (not only borqa, chador or roosari) she can do it because the hijab has been told for having a better society, and better working. Have you heard such new ideas from religious leaders in USA?

A: First of all, I believe the hijab is a personal decision for a woman. It is my personal belief that it is an Islamic requirement but I respect other women who do not feel the same. I think individual freedom to observe your faith the way you choose to do so is very important. Religious leaders in the U.S. probably have as varied an opinion on this but I did not decide to do the hijab by what religious leaders think about it -- I decided to do it after carefully studying the quran and hadith regarding this matter.

I want to thank all of you for this webchat session. I had a wonderful time. Thank you.

Moderator: We wish to thank Seema Matin for joining us. The webchat is now closed. Please visit our USINFO Webchat Station homepage for more information on upcoming events and a tr anscript of today’s discussion (posted within one business day).