Bismillah
As Salam alaikum
"It has nothing to do with Arabizing or pakistanizing Islam."
I was not saying that Islam would be arabized or pakistanized. I was saying that some people, especially new converts, have a tendency to think that taking on the CULTURES of such places indicate a good muslim. I know brothers who act arab and tie that directly into being a good muslim. I remember wearing a thobe to the masjid and brothers saying, "Mash'Allah!" The day before I was not talked to by these very brothers. I then realized this misconception.
To dress Islamically is to cover what Allah has Mandated to be covered and avoid what Allah forbid to wear like silk. If my pants are above my ankles and below the mid shin, then they are "islamic." If my shirt is long in body, sleeves the do not come down over my hands, contain no pictures, and are made of halaal materials, then they are "islamic" as well. I am just saying that Islam comes into a person's life like a sieve. It removes what is harmful or haram and leaves the rest.
I also understand the rest of the world's desire to not be so dependent upon the US. I personally would like to see less depedence on other countries by the US. I fully support muslims in other countries doing what they feel is right to protect their deen. I just wanted to clarify that what applies elsewhere MAY not necessarily apply here.
I feel this is one of the great reasons that the US needs it's own "homegrown" scholars who understand that when they are studying, they are studying pure Islam and not bringing culture into the deen and presenting it as Islam to the ignorant. I believe this is a major problem in not only giving dawah to nonmuslims but to American muslims here. Younger muslims who were born here have thier parents trying to instill thier country of origin's Islam AND culture. These youth cannot relate to a society in which they have not lived. So the culture seems foreign in the process Islam becomes foreign to them as well.
I am going to be quiet now. : )
As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu