Where do you call home, and where does your idea of identity fit in with that?
Home is Sammamish. Well really, it’s greater Seattle, or, if you think about it, it’s the United States of America. Identity is not really where I was born or where I live, it’s what I do. You define yourself how you live, the relationships you nurture, the things you try to get done in society. [In a way] I identify with every person in the world because we share the same basic creation. God created us from earth, and he blew the soul into us. Cultural customs, on the one hand, may help us grow; it may also help us create barriers at times.
You mentioned that as a Muslim in light of recent events you want to create a positive identity and image for yourself in the greater community. What do you think is the balance between creating your own identity and trying to connect with other people?
I don’t think identity’s something that you come up with and try to develop like I might put makeup on myself. Identity comes in by the sincerity with which you undertake activities. I don’t think the image of Muslims will change until Muslims become very engaged, contributing members of the broader society and are able to tackle problems from within. I don’t want others to define who I am by my being quiet.
You’ve described having to prove yourself as somebody who fits into American culture. Do you think there’s any duality between the identity you’re talking about and a broader American identity?
I find that American values are very much Islamic values. If you were to ask me what was the most Islamic country in the world, I would have to tell you, without a doubt, the United States of America. Why is that? Because the values in America are Islamic values of justice, freedom, liberty – they’re universal values. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Muslims had an impact when the constitution was drafted many hundred years ago. Compartmentalized existence is, in some ways, short-changing us from realizing our potential.
What do you do – or what should anybody do as their guiding principles for what we should do when we have conflicts within our identities?
I’m so thankful to God Almighty that I don’t really find the things I do at Microsoft conflicting with my American values nor my Muslim values; they’re all completely harmonious. Helping others realize their potential is a mission of the company; helping others realize their potential is what God says Muslims should do. When the prophet Muhammed was asked “What is Islam?” he said “Worship to God and service to mankind.”
Youth, especially, struggle with trying to find a sense of identity. What can help eliminate this alienation and drive interconnectedness?
Bridging the gaps – like gender, ethnic, faith, culture gaps – is really a very obvious thing for people to do, not so much to create a homogenization of people in societies, but to create bridges across islands of richness. Finding those opportunities is phenomenally important, and the youth should go and actually tackle the problem and be bridges of this understanding. In the process we will create a planet of character.
In American culture today, what two islands (or multiple islands) need bridges the most?
I think in America there’s a very weak understanding of foreign cultures and traditions. In this global economy, we have to have a much, much, much better understanding of what the emerging global forces are or are going to be. China or India – we need to understand them much better than we actually do. I think we clearly have a very poor understanding of the Islamic world, and the rich tradition Islam brings. Even in our own country there has to be better bridge building to the impoverished members of society. Why do poor people in the United States have to include a higher number of African-Americans? Why can they not benefit from the riches of this country? Let’s look at it from their point of view and accept them on their terms, rather than wanting them to change on the other side. Let’s see it from their lenses.
It seems much more challenging to build bridges in the divisive, bitter world of politics. Is there an awareness that needs to happen within the populace to change that? Or is it something that needs to happen within our political system?
Meritocracy has to be the basis for our society. If we do not have a pluralistic, diverse environment, then we will stifle many great ideas. We have to establish institutions whereby excellence is recognized, rewarded, nurtured. Politics is not bad; politics is about putting forth an idea and making sure that idea gets heard. The thing that’s missing is ethical leadership. America has to become an ethical leader in the world. America can not really make decisions in its short-term national interest, we [must] look at the broad or long-term global interest, which is also our national interest.
What is it about American culture (if it is even a product of culture) that creates the inclusiveness and plurality that you were describing?
If you look at the constitution – “We the people,” and “liberty and justice for all” – that’s bold. When the constitution was written, there was slavery there, so “We the people” did not include blacks; “We the people” did not include women. But the aspirational ideal was bold and ambitious. That’s powerful to me. We have a very lofty ideal, and we keep on making progress both in legislation and other things.
