elan Gets Personal with Reza Aslan

Internationally acclaimed writer and scholar, Reza Aslan, author of No god but God and the recently released Beyond Fundamentalism sat down with elan: The Guide to Global Muslim culture to discuss his book, his experiences and, yes, his personal life. We dug deep in our questions to show you the man that so many have learned to love through his writing.

Well on his way to becoming a media mogul, Reza also started Aslan Media (make sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook!), which provides information and news on topics he thinks you need to know about regarding the Middle East.

Lets begin.

In Beyond Fundamentalism, you argue that a cosmic war is not about something tangible, like land, resources, etc, but is an issue with identity. What role does identity play in a cosmic war?

No matter what religion you’re talking about, religion is more a matter of identity and a belief of who you are. It’s a sense of self – it defines our politics, our social view, and our economics. It’s only natural that religion plays a role in our war. It’s not strange or unexpected that we would define wars about land, politics, money, in these cosmic terms, or the battle between good and evil.

The problem is when you talk about “war” as an issue of identity. You are talking about wars that can’t really be won. What’s at stake can’t really be won. What’s at stake is your sense of self, so losing is unimaginable. Negotiating is unthinkable. Surrendering is unimaginable. If this is the triumph of good over evil, then that’s not going to happen any time soon, is it?

In a post 9-11, highly globalized world, what advice would you give young Muslims trying to “find themselves”?

I would give the same advice to anyone in any religion, even young Muslims, that the world is slowly becoming a single space. The borders are beginning to fade away. Unless you’re ready to live as a citizen of your state and of the world, you’ll be left behind. Muslims in a way, are already hardwired for this. We are taught to think of ourselves as individuals and as an Ummah, a global community of faith. Be aware of what’s going on around you, recognize that what happened in Indonesia, or Sudan, or an election in Nigeria, does affect you! The best advice I can give is pay attention, because it does matter, it does affect you.

You have said that transnational identities will be something more apparent. Why is that so?

As the borders that separate us begin to break down into nations and ethnicities, we see new communities begin to arise. The definition of society since the beginning has been “who is next to me, who is around me?” We are now at a place where community or society is not geographically defined. My community may be a kid in Malaysia, and a kid in the Philippines. Our community maybe online – on Facebook, or on Twitter. But what binds us as a community is not language, or culture, or space. What binds us is that we listen to the same music, like same books, post-materialist values, creating new kinds of virtual communities around the world. Transnational identities are beyond the usual borders of just states.

How do young Muslims fit into transnational identities?

The Ummah is literally becoming virtual. Even before the destruction of the caliphate, the concept of the Ummah, the idea of the worldwide community of Muslims bound together as a single collective has not been a reality. The Ummah has been fractured into geopolitical groups, sectarian, and ethnic lines. What’s fascinating about the rise of the world and technology, is the new opportunity to recreate the Ummah online.

The Ummah has always been a virtual idea, now it’s literally a virtual idea. It’s a different kind of Ummah, basically “Micro-Ummahs”. Ummahs that are formed along different lines of movies, music, ideals, or aspirations you have. I’m okay with multiple Ummahs being formed. Which is better than no Ummah, which is what we had before.

You mention in Beyond Fundamentalism, the use of language. With President Obama’s concept of “mutual respect”…how do you think he’s doing so far addressing the Muslim world? Do you think its helping?

It does help to have a Muslim in the White House, that’s for sure! Just kidding! Joking!

One thing you can say about Barack Obama is that he’s completely changed the rhetoric and the narrative between Muslim states/communities and the United States, regardless of his politics. This is a president who can say with confidence that he has Muslims in his family, that he knows and studied Islam. And that he’s not going to play the clash of civilizations game any longer.

This has had a huge effect on how Muslims have begun to think about the US’s role in the world. However, Obama admits that actions speak louder than words and until his actions begin to also reflect his new narrative between US and Muslims, then there still will be this mistrust, that hesitance on the part of Muslims to trust the US. He is already moving forward: winding down the war in Iraq, stronger stance with Israel, working with Muslim communities to create better socio-economic development in occupied territories, etc. But he has a long way to go to reverse the actions and the momentum built by previous administration.

What role do you think the Internet or social media will play in changing the lives of the upcoming Muslim generation?

The greatest affect the internet has had on young Muslims, regardless of where they live, is that it has empowered them to think for themselves. To recognize that they’re are just as qualified as an Imam, to interpret and read the Qur’an to define what Islam means in their own lives. Spiritual guidance is important, but just because someone is wearing a turban, doesn’t mean they can tell you what to think. That is your responsibility. You now have access to all this information, so make up your own mind.

What is Reza’s personal status? I find a lot of people are curious…mostly your female fans!

Reza is in love with his girlfriend, Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva.org, a microlending website. Kiva has profoundly altered the world – I mean literally pulled people out of poverty. When people ask me what they can do to help people around the world, I say go to Kiva, to lend money. I’m very proud of my girlfriend Jessica (said lovingly).

What is your fondest memory of Iran, the short time you lived there?

I’ve got so many! My favorite is what Iranians call memooni (family party). Every single night, it doesn’t matter what night of the week, there was some family get together at someone’s house. We would eat dinner at 10 and would stay up until 2 in the morning. That close family bond doesn’t exist in the United States.

What is your favorite story to tell of growing up in the United States as an Iranian American?

I grew up in the US. I came in 1979 and grew up in the early 80s which wasn’t the best time to be Irani or Muslim. So I spent much of 1980-1983 pretending to be Mexican. I learned how to break dance, spoke a little bit of Spanish and passed myself off as Mexican.

What is the most powerful experience you’d had traveling overseas after your first book came out, No god but God?

I guess the most powerful experience happened in Germany. No god but God, the book was a huge best seller in Germany and unbeknownst to me set off a large culture war in Germany. What had happened was, the German government promoted No god but God, and issued a cheap paperback version of it so that everyone could read it. There was a huge uproar between anti-Muslim groups in Germany, that the government was promoting Islamisation in the country. I came to Germany for my two week book tour. I entered into a country that was completely divided by those totally for the book and others who were mislead. I had launched a mini civil war.

How have your parents reacted to all of your fame and success? Are they typical Muslim parents and announce each achievement?

Of course they are! They tell everyone they know and don’t know about me. My father regularly goes on Amazon.com and buys 2-3 dozen books and hands them out to his clients (he’s an accountant) or just anyone he comes across. Which is remarkable because none of my parents are Muslims. My father is antireligious and my mom converted to Christianity. Ideologically, my parents are so different from me, but they are so proud of me. They’ve done nothing but support me throughout my career and education.

Rapid fire – tell us the first thing you think of with each of the following:

Celebrity crush?

Zoey Saldana

Blonde or Brunette?

Brunette definitely!

Boxers or Briefs?

Boxer briefs

Fear or Respect?

Respect

Christmas or Ramadan?

Neither

iPhone or Blackberry?