A Model Minority

ARTICLES OF WISDOM in a positive way, they ended up helping American society solve its problems too. In just one generation, Asian immigrants achieved the success that usually takes three generations. Their extraordinary progress gave rise to a new phrase in America: Asian work ethic. Now it is said that if you want real advancement, adopt the Asian work ethic. The same door is wide open for Indian Muslims as well. If Muslims let go of the communal disputes into which their shallow leaders have needlessly dragged them, and instead start building their lives on the eternal principles of Islam, they too could become a force for change in this country. In doing so, Muslims would not only solve their own problems but also give the nation a new standard— something that could be summed up as the Muslim work ethic. When that happens, Muslims will become an asset to the country, instead of being a liability as they are today. So far, Muslims in India have remained busy running demand-based movements in search of a “cultural identity.” In my view, all such efforts are completely useless, because cultural identity is established through inner strength—it cannot be gained by making demands. The more correct approach is for Muslims to aim for moral identity. They should make the adoption of Islamic ethics their mark of distinction. If Muslims are able to establish their identity on moral grounds, then they will naturally