Boston Bureau

Rotarians learn about Muslims in Massachusetts from Bilal Kaleem

Young Muslim Talks to Rotarians about Islam
There are 120,000 Muslims in state and 70,000 in Boston

By Libby Hughes, Boston Bureau of Cape Cod Today

The Rotary Club of Boston meets weekly at the 80-year-old Boston Park Plaza Hotel in the heart of the city. Beneath gold leaf ceilings and ornate chandeliers, history oozes from the footsteps of celebrities and U.S. presidents who have crossed through its lobby. Every meeting room on the fourth floor has the name of some historic personality such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The Rotarians meet in the Alcott Room, named for the 19th century author and teacher of transcendentalism, Bronson Alcott. His daughter, Louisa May Alcott, was equally famous as an author of the classic novel "Little Women."  These philanthropic and dedicated Rotarians invite speakers of interest and note for its members and visitors.

After a three-course hearty luncheon on April 16, their speaker, Bilal Kaleem (on right), Executive Director of the Muslim American Society, Boston Chapter, gave a brief overview of Islam and Muslims in the Boston area.

Personal biography

With a pronounced American accent, the young and handsome Mr. Kaleem gave a biographical sketch of his life thus far. His parents came from India, He grew up in Zambia and Nigeria before living in New York between the ages of nine and eighteen. He majored in computer science at M.I.T and worked for Oracle and Goldman Sachs briefly before becoming involved with the Muslim American Society.

Muslims in the West

Kaleem gave an honest assessment of Muslims living and working in a Western Society. "Muslims are not engaged in public service. Usually, they are doctors and engineers, but absent from the media or law or politics. Although they are masters of religion, they are struggling to find their identity," he acknowledged.

As Executive Director of the Muslim Society, Kaleem is attempting to change that dynamic by organizing a community for guiding young Muslims under the age of thirty. A Freedom Foundation would engage in civic affairs. Finally, an Outreach Center would be responsible for educating others about Islam, including Hollywood and the media.

What is Islam?

In a short time, Kaleem tackled the big question, "What is Islam?" "There is a Creator that brings meaning and purpose to life and allows us to grow to our full potential-spiritually and morally-by seeking guidance through God. Improving ourselves and serving others is worship. By coming closer to God means complete justice and accountability. Every prophet has brought core teaching within this framework," he said.

Muslims in Massachusetts

After giving this capsulated definition, Kaleem moved on to more localized comments. "In Massachusetts there are 120,000 Muslims and in Boston, 70,000. Some are indigenous-coming as slaves from West Africa. From 20% to 40% of those slaves were Muslims. The rest of Muslims here today are more diverse and come from Pakistan, India, Bosnia, Turkey, and other distant places," he stated.

Muslim desires

Muslims want to be educated and use their talents. "If they work hard, Muslims feel that they can get ahead. Fifty percent of Muslims make over $50,000 in a yearly income and feel they have achieved the American Dream. However, Muslims are very materialistic and want the finest things in life," he admitted. "Only six percent of polled Americans feel they have achieved the American Dream."

Selfless service

"We want to help the elderly, young people, and to become involved in the political process, but we have challenges. In a survey by Gallup,  40% of average Americans feel that Muslims should have ID cards. The public has a lack of perspective about these challenges," he said.

Recommending a book

There were several questions. One questioned whether Muslims educated in the West can be correctly compared to Muslims living in the region of the Middles East."There are no easy answers," he replied. However, he did recommend a book, titled What do a Billion Muslims Really Think by John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, based on six years of data from Gallup polling.