Park51: Islamic Influence

Foley, Sean. "Muslims and Social Change in the Atlantic Basin." Journal of World History 20.3 (2009): 377-398. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2010.

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In the article "Muslims and Social Change in the Atlantic Basin," author Sean Foley describes Islam’s influence on America. Many people today think that the relationship with America and Islam is rather new, but the relationship goes all the back to the creation of America. Islam also reflects their heritage on Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Islam was also a vehicle for religious and political reform in the Atlantic history. The article also describes three turning points in the role of Islam in the Atlantic: the Protestant Reform, the emergence of European nation-states, and the rise of notions of universal human rights. Americans today have the thoughts that Islam has just become a factor in the U.S. since the terroristic attacks done by Islamic radicals, but Islam has been in the back ground of America since the day it has began. Because of this, Americans need to realize that the stereotypes associated with Muslims need to be reconsidered. The article helps show how important it is to take in consideration the influence of Islam in America when forming an opinion about the up and coming issue of Park51’s construction in New York City.

This article, "Muslims and Social Change in the Atlantic Basin," by Sean Foley is very important to the reader because the article shows how important Islam has been since the founding of America. With this known, Americans do not need to be so biased against Muslims and Muslims practicing their religion in the community. This article is also important because the article helps form the opinion of the reader about Park51. It helps form the reader’s opinion because it shows Americans against Park51 that Islam is also a part of American culture today. If Americans and the readers realize this, it will help them form more unbiased opinions when debating the issue of the construction of the Islamic community center two blocks away from Ground Zero in New York City, NY. This article is important to the reader because the article shows more aspects of a rather new article in politics today. It shows the influence of one culture of Islam that today we are rejecting and expressing racial tension towards. Without Islam, many culture throughout the World would be different, and Americans need to realize it.