Al-Mughtaribun American Law and the Transformation of Muslim Life in the U.S. by Kathleen Moore. New York: SUNY Press, 1995, 211 pp.

Abstract

The focus of this book is on "the gradual transformation of American Muslims'
perceptions and self-identification, coaxed by the ways American civil
law has penetrated and come to dominate their daily lives" (p. vii). Hence, the
book attempts to show the link between law and society by using Muslims in
the United States as a case study. It is of interest to sociologists, legal historians,
political scientists, and scholars of religion and touches on the themes of
civil rights, freedom of religion, social change, the status of minorities, and
assimilation.
Moore shows how Muslims in the United States have been affected by
American immigration law (chapters 2 and 3), religious liberty laws affecting
Muslims in prison (chapter 4), hate crime legislation affecting mosques (chapter
5), and zoning laws that affect mosques (chapter 6). The sources Moore
uses are historical: court records, interviews, magazine articles, and newspaper
stories. She points out that there has been a great transformation in the
American legal system's attitude toward Islam. In 1811, the New York
Supreme Court ruled (in People vs. Ruggles) that the "religion of Mohammed"
is an impostor religion, a superstition, and is equally false and unknown
(p. x). ln 1962, on the other hand, the District of Columbia U.S. District Court
ruled (in Fulwood vs. Clemmer) that Muslims believe in Allah as a supreme
being and as the one true god. It follows, therefore, that the Muslim faith is a
religion {p. 82).
Have American legal institutions been responsive to the Muslim community?
Has the American legal setting transformed the Muslim community? The
answer to the first question, according to Moore, is that in the 1800s, "No"; but
gradually the courts have become more responsive and continue to be more
responsive as time passes and as Muslims become more politically active. The
answer to the second question is "Yes."
How has the American legal setting transformed the Muslim community?
It has limited the numbers of Muslims in the United States (through immigration
restrictions). It has increasingly allowed Muslims in prison to pray jum'ah,
wear kufis on their heads, eat nonpork foods, and obtain copies of the Qur'an.
It has protected Muslim mosques from vandalism through stiffer penalties for
people committing such a crime. It has also restricted the establishment of ...