Interview with Blogger Shyam Sriram

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 30th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I started my site in July or August 2006 after I took the shahada and became a Muslim. It started as a place where I can let people know about why I became a Muslim and try and answer some simple questions from the friends who read it. But, over time, it has evolved into a platform of not just my experiences, but also a place where I can post newsworthy items relating to Islam, Muslims in America, etc.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Yes, I feel that my writing has grown as I’ve continued the blog. This is very important to me because the blog is an extension of my understanding of the deen. As I continue to learn about Islam, my knowledge continues to expand so that my earlier posts look almost amateurish now because of my lack of knowledge.

Let me give you an example. During my “first” Ramadan in 2006, I posted something about fasting and how it has enormous dietary benefits. I was basically ripped in half by the commenters who said I was fasting for the wrong reasons. A few months ago when I wrote a new post about fasting – after reading Maulana Thanwi’s work on the wisdom behind the commands of Allah (SWT) – I referenced the first fasting post and basically admitted that I really didn’t understand why Muslims fasted two years ago.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
The most memorable experience I’ve had blogging occurred just a week ago when I received a random email from a woman in North Carolina who had found my blog while looking for Hindu converts to Islam. The sister, a recent North Indian Hindu convert to Islam, was trying to find a support group for converts and more specifically, Hindu converts who might have the same problems with parents. I immediately got in touch with her and have started a correspondence. But, this was the most memorable experience I’ve had because I know that my blog matters.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I try and read their blogs and post links to their sites on my blog. I also leave the occasional comment and sometimes email them to let them know I like their work.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Viral video aka Youtube/iReport (cnn.com) – the ability for anyone to record video of an event or a video of themselves commenting on an event and then post their opinion for the world to see and comment has truly changed politics forever. It is remarkable how obsessed we are with other peoples’ lives.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Yes. Since ordinary people can see other ordinary people achieve worldwide recognition for posting their videos, it encourages the public to get involved in this type of technology.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
I believe my site appeals to a diverse cross section of people - Muslims and Non-Muslims - because I have a lot of diverse interests. I feel like my blog appeals to new Muslims who seek solidarity; native Muslims who are interested in why I became Muslim; social activists who feel that I speak out against issues that otherwise remain hidden; and non-Muslims who want more information or who are just confrontational.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Talking to as many random people as possible.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
The happiest day of my life was July 21^st 2006 when I took the shahada during jumuah at Al-Farooq Masjid in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The saddest moment of my life was when my friend Kristine Noonan committed suicide in March 2001.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

Mecca and Medina – have to go on Hajj!!
Peru.
Agra, India

What is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book has to be the Qur’an since it is such an astonishing and amazing gift from Allah (SWT). It’s not just a “favorite” since it is the most important book the world has ever known.

On the other hand, my favorite novel is “Mila 18” by Leon Uris because it opened my eyes to World War II, the Holocaust and an oft forgotten episode of history, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Their accent.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you, you couldn’t write?

I think I had an English teacher in high school who didn’t think I could write well, but perhaps she was responding to my open hostility towards her? We’ll never know. I also had a college professor tell me that my writing was full of too much “rage.” She seemed to think it was a negative thing, but I found it to be a compliment.

How can bloggers benefit from blogs financially?
This doesn’t really matter to me, but I suppose one can start by using Google Ads and working up to becoming a business affiliate with a company/website that is more related to your site’s content. For example, if you blog about halal foods, then maybe join a referral program with a halal manufacturer so that every time someone clicks on a banner on your site, you get a few cents.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Not true at all.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?

Start more blogs! Write about everything and anything in every language! Engage the people who leave comments for you and respond to everyone with confidence and pacifism. Otherwise, hostility begets hostility.

Who are your top five favorite bloggers?

a) “Out of Place” – http://lanashehadeh.blogspot.com

b) “Theory of Heart” – http://theoryofheart.wordpress.com

c) “Muslim Matters” – http://www.muslimmatters.org

d) “Islamicate” – http://www.islamicate.com

e) “Diary of a Mad Muslim Woman” – http://dsrahman.wordpress.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I believe an early post of mine about the Qur’an being the word of Allah (SWT) received 44 comments! There was a genuine dialogue going on between the readers and not all of it was in good spirits.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
I have dozens of Pakistani friends and I have nothing but admiration, for the most part, for the people I do know. I also admire and respect the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I suppose the only thing I dislike about Pakistan and some Pakistanis is the same issue I have with India and many Indian Muslims – the inability to separate culture practices from Islamic practices.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Knowing as I do that http://anasarah.blogspot.com is written by a 21-year old Muslim sister, I was shocked by her outspoken language in some of her posts.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

The confidence of its residents! For example, although much of India is still under-developed, the tremendous growth in India’s economy in the last decade has allowed many Indians to express confidence in themselves and the country. This confidence was lacking previously and now puts India more in line with developed countries and less with developing countries.

What is the future of blogging?

More and more controversial blogs … Bloggers seizing more of the initiative of the classic “muckrakers” and going into areas that traditional journalists can’t reach.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

I know that my parents would probably do cartwheels and somersaults if I took down or deleted my blog because they are intensely private people and do not want the public to know what’s going on in their lives. I am exactly the opposite. I keep a blog to share much of my life with the world and also keep in touch with people whom I don’t see that enough – especially in other states and countries.

What are your future plans?

I have just started a new job as an Instructor of Political Science at Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston, Georgia, USA. I would like to start graduate work soon in public policy and then get a Ph.D.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Engage in more dawah with your Hindu friends and colleagues and Hindus in general. Much of the hostility between Indian and Pakistan, in my opinion, is rooted in a general lack of knowledge and understanding between the two dominant religions of these countries, Hinduism and Islam, respectively.