I would
like to address a particular area of concern I have for the
future of our Muslim student organizations and campus
activities here in the US.
Bismillah Rahman
Raheem
Salam alaykum:
I would like to address a
particular area of concern I have for the future of our Muslim
student organizations and campus activities here in the US.
Since coming into Islam over a decade ago, I have been
actively working with a number of these types of groups in an
effort to bring about a better understanding and image of the
true Islam and Muslims particularly for those English speakers
residing here in the West. I am more constantly involved today
than ever before with such activities and individuals. I love
this effort for sharing Islam (dawah) and all of those
beautiful brothers and sisters who participate along with us
in this capacity. But there are some things I feel must be
seriously reviewed and taken into consideration to insure a
continued growth and prosperity for these groups here in our
country, inshallah.
When Muslims come to this country
to learn and gain a higher education they sometimes (although
not enough) join with groups on campus such as the Muslim
Student Association (MSA) or similar types. We would like to
encourage more such participation amongst all the Muslims both
male and female.
While this is greatly appreciated
especially by those who are living here all the time, it
should be noted that all too often when they leave, they do
not take into consideration some of the ramifications that are
felt by those who remain behind long after they are back in
their countries moving on with their lives. After leaving the
campus, they can simply cancel their subscription to the
student email lists and ignore the very real situations they
have left behind.
I am referring in particular to the
influence felt in the colleges, universities and local Islamic
centers located close to these campuses. Many times the
activities and programs being conducted in these organizations
are beneficial both to the Muslims and non-Muslims in the
communities where they exist. However, there is also a
negative or "down side" to the involvement of these students
when they fail to take into consideration their efforts, work
and activities can leave a lasting impression, one that may
not be all that beneficial if they do not properly think it
through.
Without going into detail or mentioning any
particular community in the US, I would like to suggest we
consider the damage arising as a result of students who do not
properly represent the mainstream teachings of Islam or use
their organizations as a platform for some political agendas
that are not really representing the spirit of Islam nor the
average Muslims who are remaining behind and having to deal
with the image left behind by those inconsiderate students.
Often times I have seen a lot of good, hard efforts and
excellent work abandoned or destroyed simply because students
have not taken these things into consideration. Policies and
rules are put into place that may serve a temporary purposes
but without regard to the effects these will have on future
students and local groups and individuals. Many times the over
all picture and consideration for subsequent reactions to
things initiated by these students bring about hard feelings
and form difficult situations for those left in authority and
those attempting to work on after they have left. Local
masjids, Muslim schools and Islamic centers are often brought
into to assist in some activities on campus only to find out
later there is no longer support for the activities that were
established or there now exists strong opposition even from
the new organizers or even the community to these projects,
the former leaders and those who had been associated with
them.
I would like to suggest to all of our brothers
and sisters who are participating in such organizations on
campus, to stay within reasonable bounds and not use their
positions irresponsibly by attempting to influence local
community issues or ongoing relations with other organizations
both Muslim and non-Muslim in matters that are obviously going
disintegrate after their influence is gone. The entire Muslim
community may be better served if they would use their
energies to work in areas that are bringing about more light
of understanding and less darkness of single-mindedness,
inshallah.
Finally, I would like to offer a prayer for
all of those who are working to spread the truth for Islam:
"O Allah, guide us to do as much as we can to bring about
better understanding of Islam and its teachings to our
families and communities, ameen.
O Allah, open our minds to
the truth and give us understanding of this way of life called
Islam, ameen.
O Allah, open our hearts to the reality of
others around us and to serve their needs as best we can,
ameen.
O Allah, purify our intentions and make our efforts
only for You and not for showing off or any worldly matter,
ameen.
O Allah, help us and protect us from dividing and
hurting each other and from hurting ourselves, ameen.
O
Allah, forgive us and pardon us for those mistakes that we
have made against ourselves and each other, ameen.
O Allah,
You are the Guide, the Protector, the Merciful, the Forgiver;
so guide us, protect us, be merciful to us and forgive us,
ameen."
Jazakumallahu khairan for all of those who are working and
striving in the path of Islam for the sake of
Allah,
Salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
Director,
Islam
Tomorrow
http://www.islamtomorrow.com
