Religion, Constitution, and Human Rights: An Overview of Muslim Life and Religious Freedom in the United States
Authors :
(1)
Suci Ramadhan 
(Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Indonesia)Abstract
The United States Constitution affirms that religious freedom is a fundamental human right regardless of religion. It is upheld by every citizen and the country. However, the political policies in a particular country are often considered to paralyze fundamental rights in religion, causing various problems in Muslim life at the social and political levels. This research aims to analyze the intersectional dynamic of religion, constitution, and Muslim human rights towards life and religious freedom in the United States. This qualitative research uses the lens of political approach. Primary data are taken from the United States Constitution and policies, and supported by secondary data from various books, scientific articles, and news. The results suggest that religious sentiment (Islam) is found in the political policies of the United States. Currently, unconstitutional and discriminative policies are gradually removed because it triggers the social and political chaos. The United States constitution strives towards a pluralist and multi-religious country rebuilding that is safe and peaceful for religion as guaranteed by the constitution. In fact, the public and political spaces have been occupied by many Muslims in an effort to resolve the problems of state and human rights, including the religious sentiment issues.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDF
| DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30983/islam_realitas.v7i2.4801
References
Books
Corcoran, Ann, Refugee Resettlement and The Hijra to America (United States of America: Security Policy Press, 2015)
Fairclough, Norman, and Isabela Fairclough, Political Discourse Analysis: A Method for Advanced Students. (United Kingdom: Routledge, 2012)
Loveland, Ian, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Human Rights: A Critical Introduction, 6th Editio (Great Britain: Oxford University Press, 2012)
Pennings, Paul, Hans Keman, and Jan Kleinnijenhuis, Doing Research in Political Science (London: Sage Publications, 2006)
Journals
Asfari, Amin, and Anas Askar, “Understanding Muslim Assimilation in America: An Exploratory Assessment of First & Second-Generation Muslims Using Segmented Assimilation Theory,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 40.2 (2020), 217–34
Bacquet, Sylvie, “Religious Freedom in a Secular Society: An Analysis of the French Approach to Manifestation of Beliefs in the Public Sphere,” SSRN Electronic Journal, 9.October (2012), 1–15
Bakar, Abu, “Konsep Toleransi Dan Kebebasan Beragama,” Toleransi: Media Komunikasi Umat Beragama, 7.2 (2015), 123–31
Ernada, Sus Eko, “Issues of Compatibility of Human Rights and Islam: The Experience of Egypt and Indonesia,” Journal of Indonesian Islam, 1.1 (2007), 100–134
Fuad, Ahmad Nur, A. Arbaiyah, Syafiq Mughni, and Achmad Jainuri, “Islam and Human Rights in Indonesia: An Account of Muslim Intellectuals’ Views,” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies, 45.2 (2007), 241–87
Herda, Daniel, “Reactive Ethnicity and Anticipated Discrimination among American Muslims in Southeastern Michigan,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 38.3 (2018), 372–91
Hossain, Kazi I., “Understanding Islam in the U.S. Classroom: A Guide for Elementary School Teachers,” Multicultural Education, 20.2 (2013), 49–52
Jalalian Daghigh, Ali, and Hajar Abdul Rahim, “Representation of Muslim Minorities in Politicians’ Discourse: Jacinda Ardern vs. Donald Trump,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 40.2 (2020), 179–95
Kahera, Akel Ismail, “Urban Enclaves, Muslim Identity and the Urban Mosque in America,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 22.2 (2002), 369–80
Karibi, Rhoda Asikia Ige Nee, “Religion, Human Rights and the Challenges of Freedom,” Peuradeun, 3.1 (2015), 39–54
Kartini, Indriana, “Dinamika Minoritas Muslim Di Amerika Serikat,” Jurnal Penelitian Politik, 2.1 (2005), 97–107
Liebert, Saltanat, Mona H. Siddiqui, and Carolin Goerzig, “Integration of Muslim Immigrants in Europe and North America: A Transatlantic Comparison,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 40.2 (2020), 196–216
Malaka, Zuman, “Ham dan Demokrasi dalam Dunia Islam,” Al-Qanun, 12.2 (2009)
Mark, R. Shulman, “The Four Freedoms: Good Neighbors Make Good Law and Good Policy in a Time of Insecurity,” Fordham Law Review, 77.2 (2008), 555–81
Milia, Jana, and Yusnarida Eka Nizmi, “Kebijakan Luar Negeri Amerika Serikat Terhadap Kelompok Terorisme Al-Qaeda Pada Masa Pemerintahan Barack Obama,” JOM FISIP, 2.2 (2015)
Muhtarom, Ahmad, “Diskursus Islam dan Hak Asasi Manusia (Kajian Universalitas dan Kasus Pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia),” FIKRI : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya, 2.1 (2017), 113
Peña, Aisha, “Protecting Muslim Civil and Human Rights in America: The Role of Islamic, National, and International Organizations,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 27.3 (2007), 387–400
Purwanto Joko, Adi, “Sekuritisasi Terhadap Imigran Negara Mayoritas Muslim Di Amerika Serikat Era Presiden Donald Trump,” Spektrum, 18.1 (2021)
Ropi, Ismatu, “Konstitusi dan Nomenklatur Kebebasan Beragama: Pengalaman Berbagai Negara,” Jurnal Ilmu Ushuluddin, 7.1 (2020), 57–82
Saputri, Oktoviana Banda, “Diskriminasi Ras dan Hak Asasi Manusia di Amerika Serikat: Studi Kasus Pembunuhan George Floyd,” Jurnal Sosiologi Pendidikan Humanis, 5.2 (2020), 120
Takdir, Mohammad, “Contestation and the Roles of Islam in The Public Sphere: A Sociological Analysis of Religious Secularization in Indonesia and the West,” Afkaruna: Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Studies, 20.2 (2020)
Thontowi, Jawahir, “Kebijakan Presiden Trump dan Respon Masyarakatnya Terhadap Larangan Muslim Arab Tinggal di Amerika Serikat,” Jurnal Hukum IUS QUIA IUSTUM, 24.3 (2017), 369–92
Tiolina, Jessica, “Analisis Serangan Drone dalam Aksi Counter Terrorism Terhadap Hubungan Amerika Serikat dan Pakistan Pada Masa Pemerintahan Presiden Barack Obama,” Journal of International Relations, 4.4 (2018), 858–67
Utomo, Adhika Isthianto, “Kepentingan Amerika Serikat dan Prancis dalam Intervensi Kemanusiaan di Libya Pada Tahun 2011,” Journal of International Relations, 4.4 (2018), 822–31
Waikar, Prashant, “Reading Islamophobia in Hegemonic Neoliberalism through a Discourse Analysis of Donald Trump’s Narratives,” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 38.2 (2018), 153–78
Zulian, Ibnu, “Analisis Pengaruh Islomophobia Terhadap Kebijakan Luar Negeri Amerika Serikat di Pemerintahan Donald Trump,” Jurnal PIR Vol.3 No. 2 Februari 2019, 3.2 (2019), 140–55
Online Database
“Religion and Constitution,” Legal Information Institute [accessed 19 April 2021]
“U.S. Muslims Concerned About Their Place in Society, but Continue to Believe in the American Dream: Findings from Pew Research Center’s 2017 Survey of U.S. Muslims,” Pew Research Center, 2017 [accessed 17 April 2021]
Agencies, Al Jazeera and News, “US ‘Muslim Ban’ Set to End ‘on Day One’ of Biden Presidency,” US Elections 2020, 2020 [accessed 15 December 2021]
Anderson, Stuart, “Muslim Travel Ban: Less Immigration And Few Waivers,” 2019 [accessed 15 December 2021]
Editors, History.com, “Freedom of Religion,” History.Com, 2018 [accessed 19 April 2021]
Editors, Shareamerica, “Biden Akhiri Larangan Imigrasi Diskriminatif,” Share.America.Gov, 2021 [accessed 17 April 2021]
Editors, Voaindonesia, “Sampaikan Pesan Ramadan, Biden Kutip Surat An Nur,” VOAIndonesia, 2021 [accessed 18 April 2021]
Febrian, Ramdan, “Larangan Masuk Warga Negara Muslim di AS: Digagas Obama, Dimanfaatkan Trump, Dicabut Biden,” Voice of Indonesia, 2020 [accessed 19 April 2021]
Fuchs, Chris, “Obama Nominates Possible First Muslim-American Judge to Federal Court,” Nbcnews, 2016 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Hibbard, Laura, “André Carson, Indiana Congressman, Says U.S. Public Schools Should Be Modeled After Islamic Schools,” Huffpost.Com, 2012 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Hussin, Utami, “Sadaf Jaffer, Muslimah Pertama Yang Menjabat Walikota di Amerika,” VOA Indonesia, 2019 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Johnson, Jenna, and Abigail Hauslohner, “I Think Islam Hates Us’: A Timeline of Trump’s Comments about Islam and Muslims,” 2017 [accessed 15 December 2021]
Lipka, Michael, “Muslims and Islam: Key Findings in the U.S. and around the World,” Pew Research Center, 2017 [accessed 18 April 2021]
Maulana, Victor, “Ibrahim Baycora, Muslim Pertama Jabat Kepala Polisi di Amerika Serikat,” Sindonews.Com, 2020 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Mohamed, Besheer, “Muslims Are a Growing Presence in U.S., but Still Face Negative Views from the Public,” Pew Research Center (the United States of America, 2021) [accessed 18 December 2021]
Muaddi, Nadeem, “The Bush-Era Muslim Registry Failed. Yet the US Could Be Trying It Again,” CNN Politics, 2016 [accessed 15 December 2021]
Nashrullah, Nashih, “Beginilah Sosok Trump dan Amerika Serikat Menurut Umat Islam,” Msn.Com, 2020 [accessed 19 April 2021]
O’Leary, Joe, “Saud Anwar Sworn in as State Senator,” Senatedems.Ct.Gov, 2019 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Saputra, Andrian, “Politisi Muslim Akan Penuhi Wajah Perpolitikan Amerika?,” Republika.Co.Id, 2019 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Schwab, Nikki, “Rep. Keith Ellison: Being a Muslim in Congress Has Gotten Better,” Usnews.Com, 2014 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Syarifudin, “Selain Baycora, Ini 10 Pejabat Muslim di Amerika Serikat,” Sinconews.Com, 2020 [accessed 20 April 2021]
Watkins, Eli, and Sunlen Serfaty, “Rashida Tlaib Becomes First Muslim Woman to Preside over House Floor,” CNN, 2019 [accessed 16 June 2021]
Digital and Social Media
Potus, “A Post of Ramadan Kareem,” Instagram Official Account of President Joe Biden, 2021. [accessed 19 December 2021]
Statutes
Declaration of Independence (the United States of America, 1776)
The Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act 2003 (the United States of America, 2003)
The Constitution of the United States (United States)
The End Racial Profiling Act 2004 (the United States of America, 2004)
Report and Working Paper
Bagby, Ihsa, The American Mosque 2020: Growing and Evolving, Report 1 of the US Mosque Survey 2020: Basic Characteristics of the American Mosque (the United States of America, 2020)
Human Rights, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism (Switzerland, 2008)
Marks, Stephen P, Human Rights: A Brief Introduction, Harvard School of Public Health, 2014
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30983/islam_realitas.v7i2.4801
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2021 Suci Ramadhan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
______________________________________________________________________
 | Islam Realitas: Journal of Islamic and Social Studies |
: Organized by : Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi
: 
: islamrealitas.uibukittinggi@gmail.com - islamrealitas@uinbukittinggi.ac.id
