Muslim Notions of Strangeness and Eminence Pt. 1

This previous Friday, the khateeb mentioned the all to famous quote on Islam, Muslims, and strangeness. A reminder that Islam and Muslims were seen as strange and that being seen as strange is not something to be seen as problematic.

Yet there is another notion of Islam and Muslims that is oft repeated. The history of Muslims academic, military, cultural, and political eminence - reminders of us to walk and talk with pride with others of our past and revive it.

On face value, these two seem conflicting opposite visions of what Muslims should live like... After all, to be accepted as the eminent authority in a field is exactly to leave you as the stranger.

I will continue part 2 - Feel free to leave preliminary thoughts on your own views below.