Sociological Theories on Understanding the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR)

Observation Report
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Observation Report
Introduction
Despite being a relative minority religion in the U.S, the Islamic religion is quite distinct. The event involves a live presentation by the Islamic Association of Raleigh Majid in the Ramadhan program, which highlights the growth of Islam in various parts of the world, including the U.S. The Iman unravels the brief history of Islamic community immigration and its consequential establishment in the U.S (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2020). Despite the historic immigration uncertainty among the Islamic community in the U.S., many Muslims have established their full citizenship in U. S. Some thought they could return to their motherlands, but they have now found new homes and perceive themselves as American citizens Despite several concerns, and perceived challenges such as racial and religious prejudice, 89% of Muslims are proud to be American and to be Muslims (Cooperman,2017). This paper explores the life of being a Muslim in the U.S, which is one of the most culturally heterogeneous regions, where, for instance, the video by the Islamic Association of Raleigh shows challenges facing Islam, including extremist groups and Islamophobia.
Information about Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) Organization facilitating the Event
Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is critical in Muslim organizations in U. S. IAR is found along Atwater Street, Raleigh NC 27607, North Carolina. It is an impactful organization in delivering knowledge about Islam to Muslim and non-Muslim communities. It has aligned its operations with emerging technologies; while noting the context of COVID-19, IAR has adopted online media challenges to connect with Muslim followers. It has created a wider portfolio of events and education programs exploring Muslim civilizations, values, principles, and diverse perspectives that enhance dialogue and understanding regarding Islam, Muslims, and their lives. IAR is already pioneering in religious media programs, which have played a primary role in reforming and changing the socio-religious and cultural landscapes in U.S. IAR embodies online Islamic evangelism. This Islamic evangelism focus on the socio-cultural knowledge, practice of Islam, traits, and trends of Islam. IAR has been proactively engaged in shedding light on Islam's issues in the U.S, including addressing misconceptions and myths about Islam, highlighting challenges Islamic communities face such as racial and religious bias, and problems of being perceived as terror groups. Televangelism describes a new form of religious broadcasting that embodies a modern form of religious practice tied to modern technological media allowing production, distribution, and consumption (Musthafa, 2014). Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) has deployed the concept of Televangelism to creates awareness about Islam and dispel misconceptions and myths that put the Islamic community at the disadvantaged end. It practices Islamic teachings, develops and implements social programs responsible for events, projects, and services that enhance the living conditions of Muslims in adverse situations (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2020). For instance, one of the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) activities includes health wellness and counseling services for those in need (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2021). The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) religious, educational plans and program depicts the reality of Islam in the U.S.
Information About Islam
What is Islam? According to IAR, Islam denotes literally denotes peace and surrendering one’s will to God, or Allah, at the expense of individual pleasures (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2021). The tenets of Islam were revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad through angel Gabriel, which was then preserved in the Holy Quran. Islamic followers have five main duties to perform, including bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad as His Messenger, praying, payment of Zakat, fasting during Ramadhan, and attending the pilgrimage to Mecca. Islam is about purity (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2021). The Quran empowers Muslims to choose between good and evil. They can seek God's pleasure through faith, prayer, and charity. The Muslim community is encouraged to lead a healthy supported by virtues of kindness, politeness, chastity, patience, and honesty (Islamic Association of Raleigh,2021). The Muslim community is growing. Muslims are considered the fastest-growing religious group in the globe. Its growth and regional migration of Muslims have become the subject of political debates, misconceptions, myths, bias, and negative attitudes due to the continuous effect of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and emerging extremist sects committing terror acts of violence in the name of Islam (Lipka,2017). This phenomenon has created uncertainty for many Muslims whose religious facts about Muslims are not well known understood in the U.S, where they are few. Over recent time, there has been an increasing awareness about Islam in the U.S. However, this growth has occurred amidst mixed reactions, perceptions, and attuited towards Islam and the Islamic community. The myths, discriminations, and misconceptions about Islam and Islamic followers have disrupted the lives of the Islamic community in Islamic communities. 
Since the 9/11 terrors incident, the anti-Muslimism bias increased, leading to substantial tension between Muslim and the U. S mainstream communities and individuals (Schanzer, Kurzman & Moosa, 2010). Muslim-Americans are victims of anti-Muslim bias during daily interactions, where even the media has exacerbated the degree of such religious prejudice. While issues regarding Islamic extremism have been raised, there is little change in perceptions regarding the extent of support for extremism exists among Islamic followers in the U.S. about 75 % of Muslims in the U.S show little or no support for extremism, while about one-in-six say may somehow express sympathy for extremism within the U.S (Lipka, 2017). While U.S Muslim-Americans understand and support the efforts geared towards improving security for all U.S citizens via security and counterterrorism programs, they view some of these interventions as bias. Thus, even the innocent Muslim Americans bore the brunt of the policies encapsulating terror responses, control, or prevention. It should be noted that there are low figures of radicalized Muslim-Americans in the U.S and the majority of them reject radical extremist ideology and violence (Schanzer, Kurzman & Moosa, 2010). 
The religious beliefs and practices of Muslims are variant due to intertwining factors, including where in the world they reside, but a belief unites them in one God and the Prophet Muhammad. Equally, it is universally accepted that Muslims share particular practices and rituals, such as fasting during Ramadan, which is widespread. Muslims’ conspicuousness results from the sustainable observance of noticeable tenets of Islamic religion, including prayer, which is considered the second pillar of Islam. Prayer among Islam is considered a critical manifestation of the Islamic faith. Islam, being considered one of a universal religion, through programs Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) teachers directs its followers to demonstrate love, tolerance, and sympathy for humanity Islamic (Association of Raleigh,2021). Thus, it can be argued that Islamic teaching events done by imams in Masjid play a crucia...