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Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
The Incidents and The Need for grass root level participation for change
Thanks everyone for joining and your words of encouragement. I thought it may be worthwhile to share what I observed in recent weeks, which inspired me to raise voice on this important subject.
I have been to two different local facilities for Friday prayers during past two weeks, organized by renown mosques from Montgomery County Maryland and Loudon County, VA respectively. As these facilities are run by volunteers, which is admirable, so there is always shortage of qualified Imams. But it doesn't warrant for the amateurs to use Friday sermon as the mouth piece of their sectarian propaganda, but unfortunately thats what I observed has been going on.
As this is the month of Rabiul Awal, when Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon) was born. So on both places the topic was to shun the tradition by a section of Muslim community to celebrate the birth of the Prophet as a festival. On both places the speakers seemed to have called the people who celebrate the birthday of the Prophet(SAW) as "followers of satan" who are "destined to hell" for their "innovation" in the religion.
Irrespective of what my personal views are on this particular matter, I found it quite ironic that people at the same places are occasionally seen talking about how much common we have with our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters, with regard to beliefs and practices. Not that I disagree with that, but why is that some among us "pretend" to show this kind of openness in views when dealing with Christian, Jewish or other fellow Americans, but when it comes to different sections of Muslim community itself, attitudes are completely changed. The tone changes from respect to utter disrespect, bigotry and intolerance.
This is just a tiny example, I am sure many of you might have observed numerous similar incidents in your localities. I strongly feel there is a need for this to change. I think if at grass root level we, the common Muslims, in the community can raise the bar for the tolerance and cohesion, only then we can change these intolerant behaviors.
All these mosques and facilities, are run by donations given by common people like us. If we can find a way to assert ourselves together to the people running such facilities and spreading hate, that they will not get a dime from us if they don't behave, it can send them a clear enough message. I am already planning to send letters to the organizers of both these mosques. But I am not sure if they will listen to a lone voice, like mine.
Any other ideas, which you think can be effective? I strongly feel we can't afford to show indifference to this and let our beautiful faith be a hostage to people who spread bigotry and hatred on name of Islam.
I have been to two different local facilities for Friday prayers during past two weeks, organized by renown mosques from Montgomery County Maryland and Loudon County, VA respectively. As these facilities are run by volunteers, which is admirable, so there is always shortage of qualified Imams. But it doesn't warrant for the amateurs to use Friday sermon as the mouth piece of their sectarian propaganda, but unfortunately thats what I observed has been going on.
As this is the month of Rabiul Awal, when Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon) was born. So on both places the topic was to shun the tradition by a section of Muslim community to celebrate the birth of the Prophet as a festival. On both places the speakers seemed to have called the people who celebrate the birthday of the Prophet(SAW) as "followers of satan" who are "destined to hell" for their "innovation" in the religion.
Irrespective of what my personal views are on this particular matter, I found it quite ironic that people at the same places are occasionally seen talking about how much common we have with our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters, with regard to beliefs and practices. Not that I disagree with that, but why is that some among us "pretend" to show this kind of openness in views when dealing with Christian, Jewish or other fellow Americans, but when it comes to different sections of Muslim community itself, attitudes are completely changed. The tone changes from respect to utter disrespect, bigotry and intolerance.
This is just a tiny example, I am sure many of you might have observed numerous similar incidents in your localities. I strongly feel there is a need for this to change. I think if at grass root level we, the common Muslims, in the community can raise the bar for the tolerance and cohesion, only then we can change these intolerant behaviors.
All these mosques and facilities, are run by donations given by common people like us. If we can find a way to assert ourselves together to the people running such facilities and spreading hate, that they will not get a dime from us if they don't behave, it can send them a clear enough message. I am already planning to send letters to the organizers of both these mosques. But I am not sure if they will listen to a lone voice, like mine.
Any other ideas, which you think can be effective? I strongly feel we can't afford to show indifference to this and let our beautiful faith be a hostage to people who spread bigotry and hatred on name of Islam.