Running head: MUSLIM AMERICAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Cultural Immersion Experience Four: Muslim Americans

Sydney A. Frost
Georgia State University

MUSLIM AMERICAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Abstract
Cultural immersion experiences serve as a tool to rapidly gain competence with unfamiliar
groups or cultures. By completely immersing oneself in another groups environment and
traditions, one can gain valuable knowledge and skills regarding a population, which enrich the
social work practice. Cultural immersion experiences incite reflection upon ones own biases and
weaknesses, and allow for a future social worker to improve in these areas.

MUSLIM AMERICAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Cultural Immersion Experience Four: Muslim Americans

Introduction
In order to increase cultural competency, one must engage in a variety of immersion
experiences. To increase the level of cultural competence when working with Muslim
Americans, a cultural immersion event highlighting the impact of Islamic poetry upon Muslim
culture was attended. This event served as an eye-opening tool to broaden the view of Muslim
Americans beyond the scope of the American media portrayal. This event was an important step
to becoming more culturally competent with Muslim Americans.
Prior to the Event
Before the event, there were no expectations on what to expect about the exhibit. I did not
have any prior knowledge of the role poetry and song played in the Islamic culture and religion,
so it was exciting to be able to gain knowledge in those areas. This group was chosen for an
immersion experience in order to broaden the perspective held of Muslim Americans. The
perspective of Muslim Americans that the American media presents is fraught with prejudice,
discrimination, and suspicion, attitudes which are ever increasing in the post-September 11
United States (Lum, 2011). Although overall American attitudes are negative toward Muslim
Americans, personal attitudes are not negative however are most likely unknowingly influenced
by stereotypes and hidden biases. The purpose of this immersion was to learn about an aspect of
Muslim culture that is not very well known in order to reverse those biases.
Event
This event was eye-opening regarding the many facets of Islamic culture. The exhibit was
displayed in the Atlanta Fulton Public Library as a series of panels that visitors could walk
around and read. The panels contained information about the origins and diversity of Islamic
poetry, as well as the roles it has played throughout history. In Islamic culture, poetry has long
since served as a political tool to speak out against oppressive governments, with poets often
becoming a voice for the people. Poetic resistance has been a powerful tool during the
independence movements during the British and French rule, during the Iranian Revolution in
1979, and even during the recent upheavals of the Arab Spring. An especially interesting aspect
of the exhibit was the information regarding modern poets from the Middle East and even here in
the United States who continue to write in the beautiful practice that has shaped their faith.
Beginning in the 20th century, an influx of Western influence shaped the writings of Middle
Eastern poets. Writers began to question and adapt verse forms of poetry as they responded to
Western influence, molding a traditional Islamic art form to express the characteristics of many
new cultures and peoples over time (City Lore and Poets House, 2015). The poems from this
exhibit were touching in a way that was unanticipated. The beauty and power in the words spread
the message and histories of people and ideas past that still shape Muslim culture today.
Area of Interest
Orientalism is a concept defined by viewing Western civilization as superior by
categorizing non-Western peoples or nations as inferior or as posing a constant threat to the

MUSLIM AMERICAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

well-being of the empire (Smith, 2013, p.89). The concept of Orientalism is of particular
interest when discussing Muslim Americans. Orientalism that operates in the United States
causes Muslim Americans to be viewed as perpetual foreigners who act as a threat to the way of
life in America. Orientalist logic surrounding the negative view of Muslims in America has
gained rapid ground since the beginning of the War on Terror. For example, Orientalist logic used
to profile or discriminate against Muslim Americans is justified as keeping America safe and
protected against foreign threats of Islamic terrorism. Notions which depict all Muslims as
foreign threats perpetuate an American system of White supremacy (Smith, 2013).
After the Event
The Poetic Voices of the Muslim World exhibit challenged my preexisting notions about
Islam by introducing a side of the culture that I was not aware of before. Learning about the
gentle and artistic influences of Islam was refreshing in a time where most exposures to the
Muslim culture are negative or involve violence. After the event, much interest surrounds
learning and reading more about Muslim culture, especially through poetry. Continued study in
this area will only further expand competency with Muslim Americans. The main thing social
workers must be cognizant of when working with Muslim American clients is understanding
how a client's religious values and traditions will affect the working relationship and the goals
and interventions used. A social worker can make a client feel comfortable by demonstrating
knowledge about the clients values and worldview. Interventions can then be formed that align
with a clients faith based value system (Lum, 2011).
Continued Cultural Work
In order to continue to increase cultural competency with Muslim Americans, additional
immersions must be experienced. To dismantle popular stereotypes about Muslims, one should
actively seek out immersion experiences in the areas that are presenting biases. This can be
accomplished by attending a religious service or community organization. Social workers must
understand the role that faith plays in a Muslim clients definition of a problem (Lum, 2011).
Understanding the core values that drive a client will allow for successful service delivery and
strong relationships between a social worker and a client.
Conclusion
Attending the Poetic Voices of the Muslim World exhibit served as a unique immersion
into an aspect of Muslim culture that is not well known by the general American public.
Continuing to expand ones perspectives regarding Muslim Americans will result in increased
cultural competency with this population.

References

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City Lore and Poets House. (2015) Poetic Voices of the Muslim World. Retrieved
from http://poeticvoicesofthemuslimworld.org/.
Lum, D. (2011) Culturally competent practice (4th ed.). Belmont, Ca: Cengage Learning.
Smith, A. (2013) Heteropatriarchy and the three pillars of white supremacy. In Adams et. al (ed.),
Readings for diversity and social justice, (3rd ed., p. 86-92). New York, NY:
Routledge.