Fawad Mohammadi ‘24

Fawad Mohammadi is an international student from Afghanistan attending Oberlin College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Politics. He is an interfaith dialogue coordinator, resident assistant, library worker, a member of the Bonner Leadership Team, and the International Student Rep for Student Senate. He is interested in advocating for marginalized groups, including BIPOC, international students, and students of faith.

Mosques from East to West

Journeys of Faith: Exploring Stories of Muslims in America:

Living most of my life in Afghanistan, I've held my faith and religion close to my heart, but it wasn't until I arrived in the United States that I began to consider how my identity as both an Afghan and a Muslim intersected with my daily life. Adjusting to a new environment, I found myself grappling with practicing Islam in a different cultural context. I had to scrutinize food labels for Halal ingredients and navigate a landscape where mosques weren't as readily accessible.

Motivated by this personal journey of seeking community and understanding, I embarked on a project to explore mosques in different parts of the United States. Initially, my aim was to immerse myself in Muslim communities, finding solace and connection in shared faith practices while also shedding light on the communal aspects of mosques for non-Muslims.

However, as I delved deeper into the project, it evolved into a collection of stories. These stories became a testament to the diversity and richness of Muslim life in America, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. The people with whom I interacted were all generous with their time and insight. In an effort to preserve their anonymity, I used pseudonyms for this project. Furthermore, rather than photographing them, I am sharing pictures of the mosque spaces that mean so much to them and their faith journeys.

Although not all the individuals I encountered were of AAPI descent, their stories still resonated deeply within the AAPI context. Through their narratives, we witness the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience, a shared experience among many AAPI individuals navigating life in America.

This project serves as an important platform for amplifying the voices of AAPI Muslims and showcasing the multifaceted nature of their experiences. By presenting these, I hope to challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy across communities. In a time marked by division and fear, projects like these highlight the humanity that binds us together, transcending cultural and religious differences.

Masjid At-Thohir

Omid on Finding (and Expanding) Community:

Omid travels 35 to 45 minutes each way to attend the Salam Mosque in Sacramento. Though there are other mosques much closer to his home, he appreciates how the Salam Mosque intentionally builds community. As an Afghan asylum seeker and devoted father of three, Omid wanted more than just a building in which he could pray. He wanted his family to feel a sense of belonging. The community he’s found at Salam Mosque is worth an additional 60 to 90 minutes commute.

Omid's journey to the United States began in 2010. Though we didn’t dive too deeply into details of his personal story, he mentioned having spent several years in Turkey prior to arriving in the US. Despite the challenges he has faced, Omid remains steadfast in his faith and committed to providing his children with a strong Islamic education.

Having visited mosques in various countries, he noted stark differences, particularly between mosques in Turkey and those in California. Mosques in Turkey were full of people praying throughout the day. Those in California often saw fewer attendees except on Fridays. While attendance at the mosques differed, Omid highlighted how Salam Mosque fostered a caring and tight-knit social support system for him and his family. He spoke highly of their programs, including Quran classes, soccer games, and Sunday family gatherings. As an asylum seeker and a member of a racial, cultural, and religious minority, Omid sees mosques like Salam Mosque as vital hubs for social interaction.

In the past, Omid has encountered mosques that maintained some barriers for engagement. For example, in some Afghan-majority mosques, sermons were exclusively delivered in Dari and Pashto. He believed that delivering sermons in English would not only benefit a wider audience but also foster greater inclusivity and understanding within the community.

Through Omid's story, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role mosques play in providing sanctuary and solidarity for individuals like him, striving to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Masjid Umr bin Khitab where Fawad met Mohammad

Mohammad on Politics in Mosques:

Mohammad’s spatial memory was impeccable. He provided a deep history of mosque locations, down to the street number, in Los Angeles from the 1970s to the present day. A community historian in his own right, Mohammad’s journey to Islam, which began in 1971, was punctuated by the politics of Black liberation.

I met Mohammad at Masjid Umr bin Khitab, the largest mosque in Michigan, distinguished by its Shia denomination and impressive architecture. Within its spacious halls adorned with prayer beads and illuminated by grand chandeliers.

In the early days of Mohammad’s conversion, he primarily associated with Black Muslim Communities, often going to mosques frequented by members of the Black Panther Party. Influenced by the autobiography of Malcolm X, Mohammad found solace in the teachings of Islam.

Our conversation naturally led to a discussion about the Nation of Islam, of which Malcolm X was once a member. Mohammad explained that Malcolm X’s pilgrimage to Mecca transformed his faith, leading him to diverge from the Nation of Islam toward broader and more inclusive teachings within Islam. He recounted how Malcolm X's experience in Mecca shattered his notions of racial superiority, as he witnessed people of all races praying together in unity. In many ways, Mohammad’s own faith journey reflected Malcom X’s.

Mohammad shared with me his belief that Islam and politics are inseparable, contrary to the hesitancy often observed within mosque communities to engage in political discourse. He emphasized the importance of mosques as spaces for discussing political issues that affect Muslims and society at large.

Mohammad's perspective on racism within the Muslim community was equally enlightening. He acknowledged the existence of racism and segregation in some mosques, attributing this to the influence of American cultural norms rather than Islamic teachings. He even explored the complex histories of interracial marriage in his own family, specifically when an uncle faced ostracism for marrying a white, non-muslim woman who showed nothing but kindness and respect. Mohammad ruminated on how racial prejudice in the face of human kindness and decency could be simultaneously absurd and damaging.

Through Mohammad's story, I gained profound insights into the complexities of race, religion, and politics within the Muslim community. His commitment to social justice and his belief in the transformative power of Islam serve as a reminder of the enduring values that unite us all, regardless of our different experiences.

Muslim Community in Michigan

Ashley on “Authentic” Muslim Representations:

In a Religious Studies class in college, Ashley witnessed the subtle “othering” of Muslims in the United States. The professor did not say anything inflammatory or controversial. He just kept referring to Muslims as “them” and as opposed to the presumed Christian “we” in the classroom. As a white woman who had recently converted to Islam, Ashley was discomforted by his incorrect assumptions of her faith and inaccurate use of collective pronouns.

I met Ashley at the Islamic Center in Southern California. She was an energetic person who smiled as she spoke. Known in her mosque as the “fun coordinator,” Ashley paired her deep commitment to her faith with a passion for community engagement. She transitioned from a volunteer to a full-time program manager at the mosque, planning a diverse range of programs, including children’s activities, interfaith dialogues, community food initiatives, and much more. She described her mosque as her second home.

What struck me most about Ashley's story was her profound appreciation for the inclusive environment fostered at this mosque. As a revert/convert Muslim herself, Ashley emphasized the importance of representation and respect within the Muslim community. Unlike her experiences in other mosques, where women often remained in the background, Ashley found herself embraced as an integral part of the community, with women actively involved in various programs and even serving on the mosque's board.

For Ashley, this mosque symbolized more than just a place of worship—it embodied a space where her identity as a Muslim American was celebrated and affirmed. She spoke passionately about the significance of mosques like this one, particularly for American converts who seek validation and belonging within their newfound faith. Furthermore, Ashley highlighted the evolving narrative surrounding Islam in the United States, noting a shift towards more diverse and authentic representation within Muslim communities. She emphasized the importance of Muslim voices shaping the conversation about Islam, challenging outdated perceptions propagated by non-Muslim scholars and educators, like her professor years ago.

In Ashley's story, I found a testament to the transformative power of community and the enduring spirit of resilience within the Muslim American experience. Her dedication to creating a more inclusive community underscored the important role mosques play as centers of unity and empowerment for all who seek refuge within their walls.

Islamic Center of Michigan where Fawad met Bilal

Bilal on Education and Unity:

Bilal, the Imam of the Islamic Center of Michigan, expressed a deep commitment to education and understanding. As a former teacher with a background in Islamic Studies, he seeks to foster holistic well-being within his community and interfaith dialogue and collaboration with other faith communities.

Education, according to Bilal, is the most effective tool to foster unity and combat extremism. Bilal noted that extremism exists within any religion, but can be countered by knowledge. When people misunderstand or misinterpret religious teachings, faith leaders and teachers have the responsibility to provide accurate and meaningful guidance. He also noted the role that fear plays in stoking extremism and hatred. When someone expresses fear of a group of people, Bilal encourages them to try to understand the world from the others’ perspective.

Bilal advocated for his mosque to host diverse, community-engaged programs, beyond the traditional prayers and sermons. I was particularly impressed with the mosque's mental health program and marriage counseling services, which underscored the mosque's commitment to supporting individuals and families through life's challenges.

Bilal's belief in the power of education to cultivate empathy and tolerance resonated deeply with me. He articulated a vision of unity grounded in knowledge and mutual respect, emphasizing the importance of equipping future generations with the tools to navigate religious diversity. In Bilal's words, it is not religion but power and politics that often sow seeds of hatred and division. His holistic approach to education promotes comprehensive religious literacy within school curricula. This could pave the way for a more harmonious society, free from the grips of extremism and intolerance.

Through Bilal's insightful reflections, I gained an appreciation for the transformative potential of religious leadership in fostering dialogue, understanding, and ultimately, unity within diverse communities. His dedication to promoting harmony and compassion serves as a beacon of hope in an increasingly polarized world.

Islamic Center of Michigan where Fawad met Bilal