Following the recent wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and vandalism of Jewish cemetaries, some Muslims offered to help guard Jewish sites.
Through acts like this, American Muslims can start to change the world. But it it will take one big change in the heirarchy of Shia Muslim to truly establish it.
Since the dawn of Judaism, then Christianity, and then Islam, these religions have looked and prayed to "the east." The core of their faith, relied on their prophets' messages, who came from that part of the world, and so it seemed that from that point on we had to look for interpreters who did as well.
Over time, authorities outside that region shaped those religions. Most obviously example being the Catholic Church and the Vatican in Rome. And other example is the North American Reform Jewish movement.
The religion of Islam is the youngest of these three religions, by far. One of the most positive potential developments, in my opinion, is how Muslim Americans can reshape their religion. Actions such as the offers to guard Jewish sites is promising example of that.
Ayatollah is a high-ranking title given to Usuli Twelver Shī‘ah clerics. They answer to the Grand Marja', commonly known as Grand Ayatollah. In other words, the Grand Marja' are the supreme legal authority for twelver Shia clerics. The bulk of Grand Marja have been out of Iran, Iraq, India, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia, and even the UK. But NONE have EVER existed in the United States. That needs to change!!
Muslim clerics in the the United States need to be able to take their authority from a Grand Marja here in the USA. One who grew up here, and who truly appreciates American values and loves what America stands for. And when this happens, American Muslims will change the world, for the better. But I don't expect the Marja in Iran will agree in my lifetime. I hope they prove me wrong!!
