Recall the beloved American comic strip characters Calvin and Hobbes: Calvin is a reflective six-year-old boy, and Hobbes is his imaginary tiger friend who accompanies Calvin through his curiosities.
In one strip, Calvin says to Hobbes: “I know more about the private lives of celebrities than I do about any governmental policy that will actually affect me.” In another strip, he gets frustrated and contends:
“When I grow up, I am not going to read the newspaper, and I’m not going to follow complex issues, and I’m not going to vote. That way, I can complain that the government doesn’t represent me. Then, when everything goes down the tubes, I can say the system doesn’t work and justify my further lack of participation. It’s a lot more fun to blame things than to fix them.”
Hobbes responds: “An ingeniously self-fulfilling plan.”
Through satire, Calvin highlights the plight of a non-engaged, ordinary American citizen. How the government makes decisions can often seem confusing and complicated. As we approach local and presidential elections, we may feel ill-prepared to evaluate the candidates and their positions on the issues that matter to us. Consequently, we may vote for whichever candidate seems more popular amongst our family and friends without realizing that they, too, are influenced by alternate sources.
As Muslims, however, we are responsible for the health of our society. Even in dire circumstances, Mawlana Hazar Imam reminds us to be active and contributing citizens and to live by the ethics of our faith. Why does he guide us in this manner? Perhaps there is more underlying than a feel-good set of do’s and don’ts.
Many of us may remember exactly where we were when we heard about the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001. This was a difficult time for Muslims in America. We became hyper-vigilant and wondered how to represent our identities as Americans and as Muslims. In this intense environment, Mawlana Hazar Imam advised us to be ambassadors of Islam by being good citizens.
One might say that through this advice, Hazar Imam guided us on how to make our voices heard when Muslims felt voiceless. Being the ambassador of our faith informs policymaking because assessment, modification, and voting on proposed laws directly reflect a society's collective mindset. The impact of public psychology in shaping new laws cannot be underestimated.
Our Imam's emphasis on civic engagement behooves us to take an interest in the policies that govern our society and exercise our right to vote. A Harvard study suggests that, regarding any given policy, citizens should be able to answer three key questions: What is this about? Why does it matter to me and my community? What action do I need to take, if any?
In the upcoming weeks, inshallah, we will follow and participate in the country’s local and presidential elections. Let us take some time to become informed citizens by following three easy steps: First, consider what issues are significant to us and our communities. For example, access to quality education and healthcare is paramount to many families in our Jamat.
Second, let us learn where the candidates vying for our vote stand on the issues that matter to us and our communities. This information is publicly available to all. We need not be policy experts but can critically assess the candidates' promises and records.
Third, let us take time from our busy schedules to go and vote! Some states allow submitting a ballot through mail, while others may require voting in person. Our younger Jamati members can help folks register to vote, bridge language barriers, or provide rides to polling stations.
As we engage civically for our country’s betterment, let us remember that our voices matter: we can make a difference for our Ismaili and local communities, family, friends, and future generations.
1. Watterson, Bill. 1985-1996. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes.
2. Archon Fung, Hollie Russon Gilman, & Mark Schmitt, Strengthening Models of Civic Engagement: Community-Informed Approaches to Inclusive and Equitable Decision-Making, July 22, 2022, Harvard Kennedy School click here
