The writer of this article begins the story with a little background information on Mr. Shata. The writer then explains how Mr. Shata made his way to leading a mosque in New York post 9/11. The conflict of this story is Mr. Shata having to find a way for the members of his mosque to keep the traditions of Islam in a modernized Western society.
The writer of this article provides quotes from sources from both sides of the conflict. Mr. Shata, an Egyptian law professor at the University of California, Mr. Moussa ( Mr. Shata’s predecessor) , a Muslim activist, a retired officer, a wife seeking a divorce and a Palestinian immigrant.
This is not a news story because it is not an article about an event that recently occurred. This is a feature story because it tells the story of an imam and his struggles to merge opposite worlds and find a common ground. The writer ends the story with “Time and again, Mr. Shata’s new country has called for creativity and patience, for a careful negotiation between tradition and modernity.” With this sentence, the writer reminds the reader of the purpose of the article. This is a conflict that Mr. Shata has faced and will continue to face as the members of his mosque modernize and are influenced by Western culture.
