|
submit
articles |
| Muslim Struggle Against
Racism Abdul Malik Mujahid Alhamdulillah, all masjids in America pray
for Muslims everywhere. Muslims from America, of all backgrounds, have
donated millions of dollars each year for their brothers and sisters
throughout the world, whether the disaster is in Europe, Africa, or Asia.
In a way, the pains of our brothers and sisters in the Ummah unite
Muslims. However, population patterns and dominant
stereotypical images of the society do affect Muslim communities as well.
Therefore, a Jihad against racism can’t just be reserved to mere
individual efforts. It has to become a solid community effort. While it
will take plenty of sincerity, dedication and hard work, it’s not an
impossible feat. Alhamdulillah, Muslims are not racist. But
our collective behavior sometimes does not match the ideals of Islam. This
less than ideal reality of Muslim community may be one of the reasons that
41% of new Muslims in the state of Illinois leave Islam within a few
years. (Dr. Ilyas Ba-Yunus, Muslims of Illinois, The demographic report,
East West Review, Special Supplement, Summer 1997, Chicago). Here is a proactive agenda for Muslim
communities and leaders to strive for a better and improved community: 1. Does you community speak out only when Zulm (oppression) is committed against Muslims? Since Muslims are oppressed all over the
world, we should be able to feel the pains of others in the best way.
Muslims constitute the largest number of refugees in the world from
Afghanistan to South Africa. The words "Islam" and
"Muslim" do not command respect even in the capitals of the
Muslim world. Our blood flows like water be it in Chechnya or Somalia. But
isn't all blood precious? All blood is of the same color. Zulm is zulm whether the victims are
Muslims or not. Muslims should stand up whenever there is a cause of
justice, whether Muslims are involved in it or not. That is the Islamic
responsibility. How is your Masjid when it comes to standing up for the
truth and justice? How can it improve in this area? 2. Open Masjid doors for all human beings What is the experience of persons who are
visiting your Masjid, specially if they are not from your cultural
background? Some anti-discrimination hotlines in
America have occasionally received calls from Muslims who felt
discriminated against by some individuals in a particular Masjid. The fact
that some of these Muslims are being excluded and discriminated against to
such a degree indicates that serious changes have to be made. In your next board meeting and general body
meeting discuss how your Masjid can be more hospitable to new persons.
Take notice if visits from people of other backgrounds to your masjids
have gone down. 3. A common language bring people closer What language is the dominant language of
your Masjid and center? What language are the Juma Khutbas, Islamic
lectures, Halaqas and announcements usually done in? Is there an effort
made to translate the information for the benefit of those who may not
understand? If not, Imams and community activists need
to work towards holding activities and lectures in a language everyone
understands. They need to remember that activities and
lectures in only one language that not everyone comprehends will result in
non-participation and feelings of hurt and exclusion from those who
don’t speak it. As well, the youth amongst the Muslims of a
particular nationality do not necessarily speak or completely understand
the language of their parents. They are more comfortable with the common
language of the country (i.e. English). This means that having ethnic
language-specific lectures and activities will exclude the youth who one
day must lead the community. 4. Hold a one-day seminar on chapter 49, verse 13 of the Quran How many Muslims in your community know the
importance of getting to know Muslims of other backgrounds? Getting to know each other can start with a
one-day seminar on 49:13 of the Quran. This verse of the Quran should be
properly explained. In addition, there should be a discussion of how the
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) treated his Companions
who were of a different ethnic or racial group, as well as the
contributions of these men and women to Islam. Such a discussion will serve to clarify the
Islamic viewpoint on the matter. In addition, it should be stated very
clearly that the mosque has a policy of openness to all races and
cultures, based on this verse of the Quran. 5. Talk about it in the Khutba Think about it: in a year how many
opportunities do Imams and community leaders have to speak about any topic
they wish? Juma Khutba time is crucial in which the
issue of stereotyping in the community and racism in the society must be
discussed since even those who are not Masjid regulars often come to Juma
prayers. 6. Check your Halaqas What language are most of your mosque's
halaqas held in? While language-specific Halaqas in mosques
are more convenient for homesick new immigrants, for instance, they create
natural barriers and inhospitable situations for new Muslims or a Muslim
from a smaller ethnic group. This gives Shaitan an opportunity to give
that person the impression that others are not willing to mix with them
because they speak a different language, while this may not necessarily be
the case. If you don’t want to completely drop the
language-specific Halaqas, establish one or two common language ones, so
that those who don’t speak the lingo of one Halaqa can acquire knowledge
from another one. Let's make sure this one is taught by an experienced
teacher so that those who need the most, youth and new Muslims, get the
best. 7. Don’t have separate weekend schools Do you have Islamic weekend schools for
kids which are segregated by language? While having language-specific activities
for adults can be tolerated, this problem should not be passed down to the
younger generation through weekend schools. In a few instances, some weekend schools
have one day where they teach kids of Arabic background and another for
kids of Urdu background, although both are, ironically teaching their
students in English. This kind of separation should not be
encouraged. Weekend schools should operate in the common language of the
community (which is usually what most of the younger kids speak and feel
comfortable with anyway). Studies show that children learning, playing and
working together toward common goals develop positive attitudes about one
another. 8. Have competitions between mosques of different ethnic neighborhoods Who do you laugh and play with? It’s usually those who you feel
comfortable with, and sadly too often that translates into those of the
same ethno-linguistic group. On a community level, if your city has a
number of "ethnic" mosques where the population is predominantly
of one background, leaders and activists need to organize fun activities
to bring the groups together. These can include common Eid dinners and
picnics, as well as inter-Islamic center competitions on Islamic knowledge
or sports. Whatever activity you decide on, remember
that the point is to create love and respect between Muslims regardless of
differences in race, language, ethnicity or culture. 9. Start Muslim moms’ playgroup How can Muslim moms with small kids and
some free time help foster the unity of Muslims of different backgrounds? It all starts when you’re young, so even
before kids reach the age of attending Islamic weekend school or regular
school, start a playgroup for Muslim moms of all backgrounds. The playgroup will not only allow kids to
mix with other Muslims their age but of different backgrounds; it will
also allow moms to share parenting strategies. After all, Muslim
motherhood is not a topic of concern exclusively for African-American,
Caucasian, Arab or Indo-Pakistani Muslims (perhaps a seminar on this topic
can be one of the group’s activities). 10. Assure cultural interaction in Islamic schools Islamic education is not just about
curriculum. It’s also about interactions between students. One of the
saddest issues in American public schools is the racial and cultural
segregation amongst students. Don’t let this happen to our Islamic
schools. Teachers and principals must ensure that kids mix with those of
other backgrounds in the cafeteria and in the playground not just classes. Make it a firm rule that no child is
excluded or teased on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, accent,
gender, disability, or appearance. Help children recognize instances of
stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. Train teachers so that they
make sure that children know how to respond to such attitudes and
behaviors when they see them in action. According to recent studies,
encouraging children's critical thinking ability may be the best antidote
to prejudice. When a personal conflicts do occur among
children, encourage your's to think about how the other person might be
feeling. 11. Make an inclusive Board of Directors on your Masjid or school Who calls the shots at the local Masjid?
Who sits on its Board of Directors? Because of the ethnically dominated
neighborhoods, there are Islamic centers and mosques where people of one
ethnicity alone are running the place, and board meetings, for instance,
are held in their language. Stop this phenomenon. Get Muslims of other
backgrounds on the board. Apart from making it more ethnically mixed the
presence of Muslims of different backgrounds will also, Insha Allah, serve
to unite the community. When Muslims from different backgrounds see
that someone of a similar ethno-racial or cultural group is represented in
an authoritative body, they will be more willing to participate and help
with the mosque or Islamic center than if it’s made up of people of only
one background. 12. Organize an open house Organize an open house by inviting all
neighbors to Masjid. Make your Eid festivals open to all. Communication
helps takes down barriers. 13. Hold joint board meetings with other Masjids It always helps to share ideas and experiences. Masjids in one neighborhood may have an experience that is different from your experience. Why not once in a while have joint meetings of the decision-makers. Source: Sound Vision |