On reshaping the emuslim community

Confronting oneself is VERY difficult. When you learn about Islam, one should (ideally) be learning about oneself. If we KNOW that Allah is watching and knowing at all times, then we cannot hide. So if for instance we are prejudicial against people based upon superficial qualities (appearance, ethnicity, cultural group) then Allah knows this. We should strive to do better. If we strive to do better we improve not only ourselves but the Ummah as a whole.

Israfil, you raised a good point about how kids are growing up in the west often become like other kids in the west. Many parents are in a a state of denial about this. One of my parents had three kids here. Her niece, 15 got pregnant (unwed). She sent her kids back to Kenya. Where she could work here she did not like the moral values that her kids were being raised with. Said they can come back when they are adults.

I too agree wit Herj and Maryah, we need to make small efforts to improve the world. For some it is cooking meals for some, for others it is working with youth, for others it is the elderly (a growing crisis in the west) or for others it is helping to improve the environment.  If we all do what we can, we will make a difference.

Israfil wrote: Bismillah (In the name of God the infinitely good, and merciful may God have mercy on my soul Ameen). Thank You Maryah for adding another perspective to the issue but I wish to also address that race is not my central focal point here but an important one nonetheless. Maryah, I can say when going to school studying from different professors it always astounded me how the people in the times of Jesus, Noah and Muhammad reacted the way that they did, I mean those who were in denial of revelation. Since then it does not astound me now that since the revelation and the advent of our prophet has passed we still continue to do otherwise. I'm the first to say that I find "little" things that I still do now (which I'm trying to change) that I did before when I was in a state of Kufr (disbelief). I pray to God for more wisdom and guidance on many of my endeavours....Ameen. What I see in our brothers and sisters of other ethnic groups is that they still cling to old traditions and solidify this by pointing out reasons why they choose to remain isolated from other ethnic groups. I was definitely surprised that sister UmmAminata pointed out that in the book "The reliance of the traveler" the Sheik wrote that Arabs must not marry non-Arabs. I mean, its almost like behaving like the Quraysh all over again. you see, there appears to be a parallel in behavior from the quraysh in Muhammad's time and the people now in contemporary times. We have our elders clinging on to old marital traditions and teaching their children their ways, which,m is fine to me. But when it comes to making life decisions especially marriage one must not use ethnicity as the sole reason of choosing a mate. In my personal philosophy we all need to learn different cultures. If we choose to continue this endogamous philosophy we will never fully understand diversity and enjoy the traditons of others. More importantly, we go against what the Prophet said in his last sermon to the Muslims in his time. If there is anything I can do to end this is to mention it to other Muslims. Some choose to not look at this reality and some do but more importantly these issues definitely need to be addressed in the forums. I mean, if we are so easy to criticize other people's countries why are we so hard pressed to acknowledge the ills within our community? In the bible, Jesus made an analogy from this. "Why point out the needle in your brothers eye when you have a needle in your own eye? Of course imperfectly I quote Brother Jesus (Alayhi Salaam) but the point is we shouldn't be quick to criticize others when we have ills of our own. I think its important to definitely address these issues and practice their solutions in our own homes.

Salaams,

Soccer then?  Street hockey?  Homework help?

Yeah, my kids have that paper from DARE.  Are you a presenter with your job as a police officer?  Great.  Keep up the good work.

What good is the community if all that is offered is advice?  I'm talking about having a community center outlook form the mosque.  About not just listening and acknowledging problems, but reaching out our hands and doing the Islaamically preferrable thing and DOING something. Visit the sick:  the sick in heart, the sick in body, and the sick soul.  Visit the healthy:  the child without a big family in town, the man whose family lives in another town, the lonely, apparently well-off single guy who needs Islaamic companionship.

So much to do, so little time.

Israfil wrote: Yes there are programs such as D.A.R.E. and others but the point here is to in fact pin point those issues and tackle them. In your mind you'd love to void those issues and focus on kids playing basketball which is fine but I'd love to solve current crisis right now. You (as I have seen in your post) have no trouble in commenting on political issues but why when I speak, its a "paralyzing" thought because I'm analyzing the issue? I'm merely point out the problem that we must should be aware of. Awareness is key.

Assalaamu alaikum Brother Israfil,

Nice to see you again in the forum.

I do agree on you on many points. I invite any doubting members to read the latest copy of Islamic Horizons (official magazine of ISNA)and read the matrimonial ads and you will see what we mean. In this same magazine you also see articles denouncing Islamiphobia..hmm... to an American who is a non-Muslim this would seem hypocrytical..Why? Many leaders and prominent folk in the American Ummah promote the diversity of Islam..while these ads are a sword in their words.

Get a copy, read em, and you will see.

I am not trying to criticize or demean my fellow members of the Ummah, just make a point that they don't see. Thank you Brother Israfil for standing up to this issue. Sister Jenni has also remarked about the racism within the Ummah.If you are not arab, southeast asian, we seem to be out. hmmm,..I wonder why most of my friends are African, african american...I have overheard arab sisters state in the prayer room that they do not want to share space  with whites or blacks...maybe they should leave?

Doubt my words? I invite all to read a copy of the publication called Islam by choice, by Debra Dirks..

See what these American born sisters have to say.

And then look around with a fresh perspective. True not all are like this, but there are too many for comfort.

ma salaama