I read today that in August of 2006, Dr. Ingrid Mattson was the first woman elected as President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). But what really took me by surprise - but not really - was that she is also the first native-born North American, and the first Muslim convert to hold that position.
ISNA was established in 1963, so it's been a long time coming! I have to say that even ten years ago, it didn't seem like this was about to happen anytime in the foreseeable future. While I think it's a step in the right direction, I also shake my head at the fact that it's taken 43 years.
Monday, December 18, 2006
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What's the chance that it is a case of politically correct Muslim "affirmative action" as it were?
Oh I don't doubt that she is qualified. She does have a doctorate in Islamic Studies, is familiar with non Muslim culture, having grown up as a non Muslim. She has children, etc. Her life experiences lend themselves to such a position. I suspect that, if anything, she is not the first convert, native North American or woman who has been qualified for the position.
I am not disputing her qualifications I am just wondering if it may be PC tokenism to some degree. . .
I don't know, Emerson Avenger. Maybe. Maybe it's something that should have happened years ago, but the leadership of ISNA was slow to realize they needed to start having perspectives other than those of immigrant males. I think it would be appropriate to examine why the previous 42 presidents were elected - were any of those issues of tokenism?
It's entirely possible that there were previous instances of tokenism of various kinds.
Peace for the U*U Society of North America in 2007?
In light of UUA President Rev. William G. Sinkford's Holiday Message of December 13th, 2006 the following email was just sent to UUA President William G. Sinkford aka Rev. Bill Sinkford by Robin Edgar aka The Emerson Avenger. It will be most interesting to see how President Sinkford responds to it or indeed *if* President Sinkford responds to it.
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 19:44:19 -0500 (EST)
From: "Robin Edgar" robinedgar59@yahoo.ca
Subject: An Invitation To Dedicate Yourself To Waging Peace With Me In 2007
To: "Bill Sinkford" bsinkford@uua.org, "William Sinkford" wsinkford@uua.org
CC: AllOtherUUs@UUworld.org
Dear President Sinkford,
You And All Other Unitarian Universalists aka UUs Are Cordially Invited To Dedicate Yourselves To Waging Peace With Me In 2007
Sincerely,
Robin Edgar
R.S.V.P.*
* Répondez s’il vous plaît
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