Kewee

Muslims in New York - Hide and Seek?

Date: 13 Oct 2007, 3:34 pm / Mood: confused


Asalaamu alaikum wa rahmatuallah wa barakatu 



So... I was reading and found that there's supposedly 3 million Muslims (approximated, not exact) living in New York.



Where are they?  Why do I never see them?  If they are there, they are so westernized that they blend right in, particularly the men.  Women you can occasionally spot due to their hijab or even niqaab (although niqaab in New York is rare), although we all know not all Muslims are strict so not all women even wear hijab.



So where are all of my New York brothers and sisters?! 



Why is it that when I call the mosques near my home, no one answers the phone.  When I do get answers and talk about what classes are offered, the teacher moved away or they don't offer classes in English.  Are the number of Muslims going to mosques that small that none speak English or none are available to teach?  I would volunteer myself, but I am a revert and don't know nearly enough to be an effective teacher.



For such a considerably large number (millions...) why is it that I have yet to actually interact with any sisters here, aside from the 1 or 2 I've met in person? 



Is there a game of "Hide and Seek the NY Muslims" that I wasn't invited to play or something?


Latest posts:
Hypocrites! 19.10.2007

Kewee (17 Oct 2007, 2:43 pm):

wa'alaikum asalaam again all...

LOL @ Munaqaba.  Yes, apparently I have been looking in all the wrong places!  LOL  I hear Brooklyn is the best place to go for it...now if only I wasn't afraid of going to really crowded places...  Hmm...  LOL 

Abuhak1m, I forget where I got that number, but it's the currently accepted statistic, although they estimate it could be a great deal more than 3 million as well.

Susana, that is exactly the kind of treatment I am afraid of.  It has prevented me from going out into any mosque (although I have called a few!).


abuhak1m (13 Oct 2007, 11:11 pm):
salaam  
I don't live in NYC but I go there a lot for business. I don't see too many muslims but I do see a few sisters on the subway with hijabs. I know what you mean though.

Where did the number of 3 million muslims come from?

Munaqaba (13 Oct 2007, 8:45 pm):
Assalaam aleikum

U look all the wrong places, sister! In NY you will masjids everywhere. I live in a small town in Long Island and even here you see muslims. Try to go to atlantic avenue in Brooklyn and you would feel like ur in the Middle East.

I know a lot of masjids in Long Island who offers classes in english. I havent been to a masjid where people couldnt speak english. I dont know where you have been looking LOL

susana (13 Oct 2007, 6:44 pm):
SALAAM. BROOKLYN MUSLIM HERE! IN BROOKLYN WE'VE GOT A PRETTY LARGE NUMBER OF MUSLIMS & LOTS OF MOSQUES. THING IS THERE SEEMS TO BE DIVISION AMONG US. IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE TURN AWAY (WON'T EVEN RETURN SALAAMS) IF YOU DON'T "LOOK" MUSLIM. I'M SURE OF IT CAUSED I QUESTIONED SUCH A PERSON ON THEIR BEHAVIOR TOWARD ME. THEY SAID "WELL YOU DON'T LOOK MUSLIM". IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT EVEN IN MOSQUE I'VE BEEN TREATED WITH DISDAIN. I ASKED "WHAT DOES MUSLIM LOOK LIKE ?" DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER. LOL. INSHALLAH THIS KIND OF STUFF WILL CHANGE!

Kewee (13 Oct 2007, 5:21 pm):

Wa'alaikum asalaam...

Sunshine149 - I live in one of the five boroughs.  Just because you see *some* people wearing the traditional clothing, you have to admit to the fact that it is not a majority and not even *many*.  Of course I see the few here or there.  Just like with the women.  But when you think about the fact that there are 3 million Muslims in NY (although not necessarily all in the NYC area) doesn't it seem as though that handful that you see here and there are such a tiny minority?  Where are the rest of them?  I have no idea where you live that you see "a lot" of them (niqab and thobe wearing Muslims).  I do see women in hijab much more frequently than I did before I moved but still...Just seems like not many in comparison to the total Muslim population of the area.


Suzii (13 Oct 2007, 4:37 pm):

As salaamu alaikum

 

I don't live in NY, but have always seen muslims when I go... even in China Town!  Where in NY are you...state? NYC? one of the 5 bouroughs?


Laila_Jihad (13 Oct 2007, 4:01 pm):
i know there is a lot of muslims living near amish in indiana. also in michigan is the biggest populated!! mmm havent heard much from ny but i know there are a lot of jews living there! pennsylvannia has some muslims not a lot a lot, but alhumdulila! but i think washington dc everytime i go there wow a lot of muslims!!!!!

jamilalove (13 Oct 2007, 3:56 pm):
salaam alakium,
i agree that you really dont see many muslims in Ny i live in new york an you are right about the muslim men bleding in well because i really only see the muslim men that run or work in the stores an have to say not sure how muslim they are. however i do have a child an take her school where i do see many muslim sisters wearing hijab thats how i identify them but im still playing hide an seek i guess as you put it because one day i wear hijab an the next i may not so im sorry if this disappoint you but its the truth an i am a convert to islam so i dont cover always for it gives me some problems at times with family who dont get it just yet though i have to say when i see my muslim sisters who cover daily i am so touched by there iman that at times i feel guilty Guilty because i know i should be covered also an arent so insha'allah i will get courage --wa alakium salaam --jamila