Living as a Muslim in America
Islam is the fastest growing religion in America today. Many in the American media who cite Islam as the religion of the future of AmericaJAKARTA - One of Indonesia's Muslim leaders, Imam Mohamad Joban, sharing the experience of living as a Muslim in America, in a discussion of religious life in the cultural center @ america, Jakarta, Friday (13/6).
"A lot of the media in America that says that Islam is the fastest spreading religion in America. Islam is the religion of the future in America, "said Imam Joban.
"Islam teaches cleanliness, but where we get a lot more hygiene? In Islamic countries or even in America? Islam also teaches us tolerance, here as a preacher, I went to college, prisons and churches here all completely free, no blocking, "he explained.
According to Islam will grow and thrive in a country that guarantees its citizens to freely choose a religion as it is in America.
Also according to Imam Joban, many Americans who decide to convert to Islam, because Muslims that their behavior in accordance with the value of religious orders. "So many Americans who converted to Islam because they met with Muslim values ​​such as walking Koran," said Imam Joban.
Imam Mohamad Joban is Imam Masjid Ar Rahmah in Redmond, Washington. Currently he is Chairman of the Fatwa Council Priests in the U.S. and also a spiritual director for the prisoners in the Prison Department of the State of Washington.
Muhammad Ali, who teaches Islamic Studies at the University of California, Riverside, provide an explanation based on his experience in this discussion. "America is different from Indonesia. In America, the state should not support or prohibit a religion. With a neutral country community is growing, that's why American society is among the most religious in the west even more religious in general when compared to many countries in Europe, "said Ali.
Another factor that makes thinks increasing number of Muslims is because America is a country that is open to newcomers. "Then the crowd-bondonglah Muslims from the Middle East, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, South Asia, India, Pakistan, including Indonesia. The existence of these immigrants had enormous influence, "he added.
 This is supported also by the profile of Muslims who are mostly middle class and educated, so that the effect would be even greater. "Most Muslims in America are not marginal ones, meaning that they are educated, work in certain institutions with hefty incomes," said Mohammed Ali, Lecturer of Islamic Studies at the University of California, Riverside.
Deputy U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Christian Bauer, on the occasion said that religion an important part of American culture, because most Americans are devout believers. But the fact that many do not know is 20 out of 50 states in the second largest religion is Islam.
The latest data in 2011 said that currently there are 2016 mosques in America and California become the region with the largest number of mosques in America.