Muslim community in Webster/Clear Lake? (Center: YMCA, university, professionals)

[phaedra_p]

I'm curious about something and this is the only place I can think to ask it.

I go to the EA Smith YMCA, in Webster on Hwy 3, quite often. I've noticed that a sizable number of the regulars there are Muslim (women in head scarves is the main giveaway).

I think it's great, so please don't misunderstand. I'm just curious about the demographics behind it? Is there a large Muslim community in Clear Lake? Or does the Y just attract Muslims for some reason?

As Seinfeld would say, I don't think we're supposed to be talking about this ... but I'm asking anyway.

[tstone]

They're probably going in and out of this, which is right near the Y

ASIA Center

[phaedra_p]

Good find!

+1 to you, good sir.

[Rootseeker]

I am not so sure I would call the Muslim presence huge. But I think it's great that you asked. For may people, such an observation could be a reason not to move there. Tstone, I'm not sure what the significance of those pictures is. But, the people who attend the Asia center and who are represented in those photos are not necessarily the same ones with wives and daughters and sisters attending the Y -- though they could be. The people you see in those your photos are attending a graduation for children who have memorized the entire Qu'ran. Think... Bar Mitzvah with recitation of the ALL of the books!

To answer your question Phaedra_P: In America, Muslims are disproportionately represented in medical, technical, and higher education fields. You have NASA there, a huge medical complex and a university. So those women you see, headscarf and all, are probably doctors, engineers, professors or the wives and daughters of such professionals.

Hope that helps.