American Muslims: New Kids on the Block

During the month of June, Patch will be chatting with religious leaders and community members. This week, we caught up with K. Rizwan Kadir, a Pakistani-American Muslim who worships at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove and was recently appointed chairman of MCC's full-time school board. 

In addition to his involvement with the local community, Kadir is also President of Pakistan Club at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and serves on the board of several Islamic organizations in the U.S. A senior consultant to Fortune 100 firms, Kadir specializes in strategic planning, governance, and financial management. 

, was among Patch’s most popular articles in 2010.

Patch: Where do you worship and what makes this a great place of worship? 

RK: I pray Friday congregational prayers at the MCC mosque in Morton Grove. The facility includes a full-time Islamic (parochial) school, known as MCC Full Time School. Though it started in 1990, it is one of the largest and oldest Islamic schools in the U.S. Previously it was Borg school.

What I like the most about this place is that it seems like a microcosm of America. We have people who, after immigrating to the U.S. many years ago, have been raising families here. Among others, my friends include Bengali-, African-, Arab, and Pakistani-Americans, as well as converts.

Patch: What do you do that you wish the community knew about?

RK: American Muslims are the proverbial new kids on the block. Most Patch readers didn't grow up with us, but their kids are growing with ours in local schools and neighborhood parks. Unfortunately, most Americans first learned about Muslims and Islam during tumultuous times in our nation's history.

While these events are not reflective of the wider Muslim communities, they didn't create a positive and realistic image of Muslims, either. Events such as the Iranian hostage crises (1979), the first World Trade center bombing (1993), USS Cole bombing (2000), and, of course, the 9/11 tragedy. That history poses a challenge for us Muslims to constantly overcome the negative stereotyping, especially as we are cultivating an American Muslim identity.

I wish more people in the community knew that the American Muslims, not much unlike the rest of the Americans, are not monolithic in any sense; we are of varying ethnic backgrounds (including blacks, who have been here for centuries, and converts); we come from a myriad of political and social backgrounds, and we are your neighbors, your employees, your bosses, clients, classmates, and fellow citizens.

Patch: What’s the biggest issue your congregation is facing?

RK: Managing the growth in the community, and at the same time, fighting the negative stereotypes from time to time.

Patch: What makes Glenview a great place to live?

RK: Great community. Fun people. Athletic and academic opportunities for the families. Gallery Park. Goode and Fresh Pizza!

Patch: What has been your most uplifting religious experience?

RK: Every now and then, I find myself able to go to the mosque in Morton Grove for the morning prayer service. (Muslims can pray at home, or make up any missed prayers later on). It's held before dawn. So, driving to it, while most of the neighborhood is asleep, is a calming experience by itself. 

The solitudinous streets at 4:30 in the morning; the prevailing silence just before the birds start chirping (as if they are singing God's praises as well); driving to the house of worship being an act of worship itself; remembering and thanking God's bounties that we all are blessed with - all these elements make it a great spiritually uplifting experience.

Patch: From the perspective of faith leader, what are the largest issues facing the Glenview community as a whole? 

RK: Over the last few years, the economic toll has been greatest among several north shore suburbs. The high foreclosure rates in Morton Grove and Glenview depressed the real estate markets, which, in turn, created a downward economic spiral. It's heart breaking to see many strip malls and small businesses on Dempster Street alone shuttered over the last 3 years. 

On a positive note, I see more and more high schoolers and other young adults having a chance to serve communities, whether it's senior citizens or food pantries. This is very encouraging on a societal level.

Know of other religious leaders you think Patch should speak with? Share with us in the comments or on Facebook!