Alternative Spring Break

In a post 9-11 world, Muslims in general have been misperceived and stereotyped.  Samuel Huntington coined the phrase "Clash of Civilizations," when he predicted a conflict between cultures, specifically focusing on the potential clash between Western and Islamic cultures. Many believe that the Muslim American is conflicted in loyalty to the Muslim world and the West.  This ASB trip will attempt to provide the students the tools needed to critically examine the Muslim American identity and how it perceives itself within America and the Muslim world. This trip will focus on dispelling misconceptions about the monolithic nature of Muslims in America. For example, although the media frequently depicts Muslim and Arab people as interchangeable, the majority of Muslims in America and the world are not Arabs. The Muslim-American identity is shaped by a myriad of different political, social, and cultural issues. By meeting with political leaders, community members, professors, and activists this trip will allow participants to understand the intricacies and diversity of Muslim American communities, and how the Muslim American has been affected by domestic and foreign policies. We hope to explore how Muslim Americans have responded to problems, both internal and external, facing their communities.