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A Minneapolis Muslim Encounters Coffee Shop Problems

The Etymology of a Sociological Schism

Omar Alansari-Kreger
Not too long ago, I went into a unique coffee shop located near the University of
Minnesotas West Bank and encountered a few interesting yet dismaying discoveries. Right
above the register, the emblem of the Ottoman Empire was mounted on the wall above the drink
menu. I asked the guy working behind the counter if it was for sale, but he flat out said no. He
did not appear to be the owner. In all honesty, he was not really moved or very interested in the
basis of my question. I came to the pre-imminent conclusion that he was just working an
afterschool job. I argue that gives us the plausible deniability we need in order to distance
ourselves from an obscure question. It comes handy with the territory of a temporary job.
Nevertheless, in a nation like the United States that produces sycophantic contenders for national
leadership, I generalize that most Americans could not recognize the emblem of the now defunct
Ottoman Empire if their lives depended on it. After all, the Ottomans have been removed from
the world map for nearly one hundred years!
Then, I turned around. Suddenly, I encountered a bookshelf that contained an array of
distinct collectables that catered to a Near Eastern theme. There were postcards of Istanbul, the
Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. Suddenly, I encountered something that was really
troubling to me. I noticed a myriad of ceramic coasters that contained beautifully composed
Arabic calligraphy on each one. There was a set of three different coasters. Each coaster set
displayed about three of the ninety-nine names of Allah (swt). Now, as a conscientious Muslim,
here is my first question; what kind of respect is being shown to the name and sovereignty of
Allah (swt) if we use one of the ninety-nine names of Allah as beverage coasters? Doesnt that
qualify as a blatant example of desecration to the name of Allah? Of course, someone can claim
blissful ignorance, but at that stage, isnt ignorance a matter of choice? It especially seems so if
someone goes out of their way to acquire distinct specimens of Arabic calligraphy for purposes
of sale and display.
Apparently, someone somewhere is not too concerned about how the ramifications of this
display set could be seen as disrespectful to Islam. Hence, why not display some other word,
message, or meaning on each set of ceramic coasters if the underlying interest in question was
rooted squarely on the equation of Arabic calligraphy? If one has the desire to display the
calligraphy of another language as some kind of showpiece, shouldnt one know or understand
the underlying meaning, significance, and degree of reverence that accommodates the
cultural/ideological wordage of something that is otherwise foreign to the naked eye? Doesnt
respect come with the territory of human diversification when classifying the cultural variables
of language? In this specific case, it seems that a general lack of interest can cause neglect
toward the decipherment of language. As a result, such things can cause divisive barriers which
can create unexpected consequences.

In the Free World, we would like to believe that freedom of expression should NOT
insinuate the abuse of freedom! From a sociological standpoint, this can occur both in the name
of religion and culture. With that in mind it must be maintained that the first amendment is a
wonderful provision of social expression. The likes of which represents one of the most
cherished prizes of democracy. However, what is being done about the passive abuse of the first
amendment? There are people out there that carelessly and recklessly believe they have an
indisputable right to say whatever comes to their mind. Yet, that sentimentality pays little to no
attention about the long term consequences of free speech. The solution does not rest with
remedies of political correctness; fringe moralities are imposed on us through the devices of the
latter. Fairness in speech is best disseminated when laws mirroring the first amendment adopt the
principle of the golden rule as a constitutional objective.
Failure to appreciate the potency of ideological words and cultural gestures will inexorably lead
to a world of divisive polarity. A world where one antagonism is inevitably exchanged for the
hegemony of another.