Islamic Center President Shares Long Island Muslims’ Plights

Adedamola Agboola

Islamic Center of Long Island President Isma Chaudhry said last week she was gratified by the response the center has received following ISIS-inspired attacks in Brussels, Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., in recent months.

“This is an extremely heart-warming and diverse community,” said Chaudhry, a resident of Manhasset.

She said that the Islamic Center received numerous emails lending support and encouragement after the most recent attack in Brussels.

“We have a lot of relationships with different ethnicities and denominations that we get invited to get involved in their celebrations,” Chaudhry said. 

Among those expressing support to the center, she said, was Rev. Walter Silva Thompson Jr. of Calvary Baptist Church in East Hampton, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Temple Sinai in Roslyn, Temple Bethel in Great Neck and the Manhasset Clergy Association. 

Chaudhry, who was elected the first female president of the Islamic Center of Long Island in 2014, was recently among 13 women recently honored by the Town of North Hempstead for their community.

The town cited her work as an interfaith activist advocating for the rights of Muslim women and bridging ethnic understanding among communities on Long Island.

Chaudhry said her work reflects a commitment to promote diversity that was inspired in the Quran.

“We can’t work together unless we understand the value diversity brings to our community,” she said.

Chaudhry said she tells the community to be vigilant and to reach out to authorities should they suspect anything might be going on in the community.

“We have reached out to the Nassau County Police Department and they have been gracious with their support,” Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry said Muslims in other parts of the country may have seen some backlash following the terror attacks carried out in France and Belgium but so far, she hadn’t heard of any incidents on Long Island.

“We tell people in our community to be careful and if there are any incidents, they should be reported to the authorities,” she said.

Chaudhry said when she moved to Manhasset 25 years ago, Muslims were not on anybody’s radar.

“We were like other ethnicities,” she said. “We practiced our religion just like everyone else but obviously 9/11 changed all that.”

Chaudhry said although the climate towards Islam changed, it wasn’t just about Islam.

“Air travel, transportation and security changed for everybody. It wasn’t just about Muslims,” Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry said God created diversity to bring understanding  and not to bring confusion and she has sought to combat Islamophobia through youth development programs and interfaith initiatives.

Fear and paranoia, she said, only plays when communities do not take the time to get to know each other. 

Chaudhry said historically, the rhetoric of hate has been devastating to communities with ethnic cleansing and genocide has occurred.

“I think it’s the society’s responsibility to be aware of the neighborhood and people they live around,” she said.

A big aspect of recognition of religion and beliefs for Chaudhry is mutual respect and understanding of everyone. 

“When our kids play soccer or basketball together on the field or on the court, they don’t are not different denominations on the field,” Chaudhry said. “We’re either cheering for a team or we’re not.”

Chaudhry said another problem is when the banner being raised to combat hate is tolerance.

“The word tolerance is such an undermining word,” Chaudhry said. “I don’t want my kids to tolerate each other. I want them to respect each other.”

If we stay in this bubble, then the criminals will continue to win, Chaudhry said. 

Chaudhry said she is angered when people say Muslims aren’t condemning the terrorist attacks or what she calls “perverted Islam”

“Every Muslim organization I know has condemned it,” Chaudhry said. 

She said some people are being swayed by the media because of their lack of education on the Islamic religion. 

“If you check different news website or listen to the radio, there are many prominent Muslim organizations that have condemned it in the strongest language possible,” Chaudhry said.

She said after the Paris attacks, it was a topic of conversation at the Islamic Center.

There were rallies and press conferences called condemning these attacks, she said. 

“Sometimes the media decides to cover it, sometimes they don’t,” Chaudhry said.

She said to have some progress, there has to be a unified voice not just by Muslims in denouncing ISIS and other radical islamist groups, but also by other denominations.

“If people come out and say, yes, we know you’re not the terrorist and this isn’t what your religion stands for, they will be sending a message to Muslims around the nation that you stand with them,” Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry also said ISIS and all the other groups should be called “terrorists” and not “Islamic terrorists”.

Chaudhry said that way the groups branding themselves as Islamic “don’t have a foot to stand on”.

“These people are in the minority and we can not allow a minority group taking over humanity,” Chaudhry said. “They’re going to win when we give into paranoia and phobia.”

Chaudhry said she has worked throughout her career to build interfaith relationships within communities and families to create understanding of what the religion of Islam really is about.

“I have the same concerns as my neighbor does,” Chaudhry said. “I’m concerned about my daughter’s college education. I’m concerned about drugs, the economy and our infrastructures. We have the same  concerns.”

Chaudhry said she’s optimistic about the future and her children.

“I know they’re going to keep their religious values because they’ve been taught well and taught well,” Chaudhry said. “No one is going to hijack their thoughts.”

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