I wrote this letter in 1997 in several episodes to my daughter, who is in America now and is sixteen years old. Now I am presenting excerpts from my letter so she knows her father’s reactions to a new country and new society. This letter is also meant for others, specially the younger generation.
So, I was talking about Canada, where the Queen of England still comes on visits. She has no powers according to the constitution. The Canadians mentally follow the United States. American currency is accepted there. When I went to a bank in Toronto to exchange money, the teller asked if I wanted US or Canadian currency. Canada is bigger than Russia in territory but the population is only thirty to forty million. That’s why this country accepts foreign immigrants. First came the Europeans then the wealthy people from Muslim countries. Now people from South East Asia i.e. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are being given immigration.
Let’s go back to the United States. It’s a strange country. Here water is expensive and liquor cheap. Moral waywardness is common. Children get out of control of their parents just after high school and move out of their parents’ home as soon as they turn eighteen. Normally they live with their boy or girl friend and work to meet their expenses. Honey, the Americans’ social life is ugly. You would be appalled to see people engaged in immoral acts in markets, restaurants and educational institutions. The majority of people here live a life that is against all moral values. Men and women live together for years without being married and when they marry, they divorce within no time. There is no room for modesty and shame. Since the children separate from their parents at the very beginning of their adulthood, the elderly spend their last days in sickness and solitude. Their children come to see them only at special occasions. They bring gifts and spend some time with their parents. The cost of education and healthcare in the US is unimaginably high. Those who don’t have health insurance tremble even at the thought of getting sick. Contrary to the above stated facts, there are many good things in America that one can emulate. The good aspects of life that we studied in the books of Islamic Studies in our childhood are practiced by the Americans in their daily lives.
The founding fathers of the United States have made the system such that everyone has to follow it. No one can transgress. Majority of the people follow the traffic laws. Roads are so good that they don’t break easily and one enjoys a smooth driving. Everyone drives in one’s lane and changes the lane according to law. If you are going on a long trip, get a map and follow the highway signs (Now of course everyone has a GPS). You won’t have any problems. Every fifteen or twenty miles on highways there are rest areas which have bathrooms and drinking water available. In lush green rest areas there are picnic tables. There is always a beautiful small building in the middle of the rest areas where you can get hot coffee from vending machines and buy drinks and snacks. Maps and driving direction are available for tourists making journey easy for travelers.
Collectively, Americans are organized people. After a purchase at a store, you have to get into a line to pay the cashier. No one breaks the line and there is never a cry at the slow pace of the cashier. At bus stops people wait in a queue to board the bus. If a disabled person is waiting, the bus will stop for that person no matter how crowded it might be. The bus will lean and the ramp for the disabled person would be lowered. He/she would get on the bus on wheel chair and the bus would only move when that person is settled. Education is expensive but if you are intelligent, you can get scholarships and free higher education. If a student is not that bright and wants to get higher education, the government provides loan. But the loan system is so strong that the student has to repay after completing the education. There is no escape. If you are laborious, you sure will get a return. Life has been made easier here. You can do any transaction over the phone without having to go personally to the offices of the departments.
My dear, no matter where you live, if you follow Islamic teachings, you would have bright future. In America you are free to live as you wish so long you obey the laws. I have seen such Muslim youth here who are the apple of their parents’ eyes. They are highly educated and lead a practical life along with others. They do not let go their family traditions. This up to you, whether you make your future bright by accepting the virtues of America or make it dark by following the vices. Your parents would educate you and show you the good and the bad paths. It is you who will decide which one to choose.