Finding Mecca in America : How Islam is becoming an American religion

The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on American society, but they had an even more lasting effect on Muslims living in the United States. Once practically invisible, they suddenly found themselves overexposed. By describing how Islam in America began as a strange cultural object and is gradually sinking into familiarity, __Finding Mecca in America__ illuminates the growing relationship between Islam and American culture as Muslims find a homeland in America. Rich in ethnographic detail, the book is an up-close account of how Islam takes its American shape.In this book, Mucahit Bilici traces American Muslims’ progress from outsiders to natives and from immigrants to citizens. Drawing on the philosophies of Simmel and Heidegger, Bilici develops a novel sociological approach and offers insights into the civil rights activities of Muslim Americans, their increasing efforts at interfaith dialogue, and the recent phenomenon of Muslim ethnic comedy. Theoretically sophisticated, __Finding Mecca in America__ is both a portrait of American Islam and a groundbreaking study of what it means to feel at home. "The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on American society, but they had an even more lasting effect on Muslims living in the United States. Once practically invisible, they suddenly found themselves overexposed. By describing how Islam in America began as a strange cultural object and is gradually sinking into familiarity, Finding Mecca in America illuminates the growing relationship between Islam and American culture as Muslims find a homeland in America. Rich in ethnographic detail, the book is an up-close account of how Islam takes its American shape. In this book, Mucahit Bilici traces American Muslims' progress from outsiders to natives and from immigrants to citizens. Drawing on the philosophies of Simmel and Heidegger, Bilici develops a novel sociological approach and offers insights into the civil rights activities of Muslim Americans, their increasing efforts at interfaith dialogue, and the recent phenomenon of Muslim ethnic comedy. Theoretically sophisticated, Finding Mecca in America is both a portrait of American Islam and a groundbreaking study of what it means to feel at home."--Publisher's description The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on American society, but they had an even more lasting effect on Muslims living in the United States. Once practically invisible, they suddenly found themselves overexposed. By describing how Islam in America began as a strange cultural object and is gradually sinking into familiarity, this book illuminates the growing relationship between Islam and American culture as Muslims find a homeland in America. Rich in ethnographic detail, it is an up-close account of how Islam takes its American shape. The book traces American Muslims' progress from outsiders to natives and from immigrants to citizens. Drawing on the philosophies of Simmel and Heidegger, the book develops a novel sociological approach and offers insights into the civil rights activities of Muslim Americans, their increasing efforts at interfaith dialogue, and the recent phenomenon of Muslim ethnic comedy. It is both a portrait of American Islam and a groundbreaking study of what it means to feel at home By Describing How Islam In America Began As A Strange Cultural Object And Is Gradually Sinking Into Familiarity, This Book Illuminates The Growing Relationship Between Islam And American Culture As Musliims Find A Homeland In America. Introduction : Muslim Life And American Forms -- Cultural Settlement. Finding Mecca In America : Muslim Directionality And The Codification Of American Space ; The English Language And Islam : Genealogy Of An Encounter ; Homeland Insecurity : How Immigrant Muslims Naturalize America In Islam -- Citizenship Practices. Awakening Citizenship : Rights Meet Their Bearers ; Seeking Kinship Through Abraham : Muslim Interfaith Activism ; Funny Jihad : Muslim Comedy Takes Flight -- Conclusion : On Appropriation And Inhabitation. Mucahit Bilici. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.