reflection of american muslim Written by Madiha Najeeb
REFLECTION OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS. After 9/11 event, all Muslims are thinking that”What is future of Islam? ”, especially in America, as we are seeing in Iraq, Afghanistan what is America is doing in name of terrisiom. While seeing in present, we do not see future, but we are concerned about future as whatever we do now will affect our future. In America we are actually not first wave of Muslims who came to this country. There have been at least three waves of Muslims who came before us, but they were not able to established Islam for what ever reasons. What are they, at this time move toward and over look on them? The first wave of Muslims came or were brought in as slaves from Africa about two hundred years ago. Muslims could not establish themselves as Muslims as they were oppressed. They are chained and left on plantation in total slavery, their religion, names were changed and there social structure was broken. They were not allowed to practice their religion. So we cannot blameworthiness them for not being able to conventional Islam. Now second waves came after WW1 from Balkan state, Lebanon e.t.c. These Muslims were settled in Midwest and north east, including areas like Dearborn, Toledo, Chicago and Detroit. On that time they squander their time and life to establishing themselves as cost-effectively and socially. Religion was not on their minds at that time. They just pay no heed to it at all. It is heartening to note that many of descendants of first two waves are now coming back to fold over of Islam and helping establish Islam in collaboration with third waves, which includes immigrant Muslims coming to this country since 1950’s and constitution (60%) of six six million, present-day American Muslims. Many of Afro-Americans are now finding their roots in Islam, reverting to Islam, and asserting themselves as Muslims. But this is not enough we have to think and envisage our mistakes and try to over come on it to establish ourselves as a great Muslims. The best thing is learn some lesson from our past. A glorious Muslim empire in Andalusia (Spain), about seven hundred years, Muslims ruled that country, but we were wiped out after inquisition. If we analyze that time so we will see several reasons for them not to establish Islam in land forever. The First reason was lack of unity among Muslims. In Spain they created class structure of Muslims, and theses classes did not live on equal basis. This was against Islam. Second, they were not able to practice Islam collectively, but more individually. Islam is religion that has to be practiced collectively. Third Islamic education on an individual level was not there, but there was more emphasis was given to secular and technical education. Fourth, too much emphasis on culture in form of art, music, food or dress but not enough on defense. “Culture is necessary for survival of soul, defense is necessary for of soul, defense is necessary for survival of body.” Finally, most important reason that these civilizations were destroyed and were fail it provoke other to Islam. Invitation to Islam is not lavishness, but a prerequisite and a tool for endurance. While discussing future of Islam in America, we must examine parameters of a good future. If we judge future by numbers, yes, it is true numbers of Muslims are tremendously increasing in this country. A quarter of century ago there were about hundred thousand Muslims, and now there are over six millions. If we look at world map number of Muslims is over a billion, but regrettably they hardly have any strength in that number. It quality of Muslims that is important, rather than number itself. The quality of Muslims who were in minority and out numbered in “Battle of Badr” by three to one, but they were able to succeed with conviction “that they are best nation created for mankind”. Although our number is very similar to Jewish people in this country, we have no comparison in strength in terms of economics, politics and educational strength. We do not have any congressman or senators. We do not control university boards or facilities. We do not have a single factory or financial institution which is able to employ. Muslims in large numbers, therefore we cannot able to judge future of Islam by number of Muslims praying on earth. M any of Muslims, especially of in-migrant origin, is embroiled in preserving ethnic culture, but this ethnic culture, whether in name of social parties, music, dress shows, is nothing but passing shows. After this generation of Muslims has passed away, our children and youth of immigrant parents will not be able to sustain that ethnic culture. There will be only two cultures left for Muslims: an Islamic culture and American culture. What about our health and physical strength? In my opinion, are not keeping themselves in physical shape either. Most of our parties involve nothing but sitting down, making chit-chat and eating rich foods and then going to bed, result of that foods are coronary artery disease, diabetes and many chronic conditions is increasing. We are not doing exercise nor are we watching our diets and nutrition. I m saying all this that our neighbors decide to do ethnic cleansing, as it I happening in Bosnia, twenty years from now, will we prepared to defend our women and children? Or, if United Nations an Bosnian government request Muslims of America to come and help them, are we in physical shapes to go there and help them in their war? A healthy Muslim is backbone of a healthy community. It is true that our family and our youth future. Muslim elders, scholars, writer and leader are now in their fifties. In next twenty to twenty-five years, this generation, which is bearing task of trying to establish Islam, will pass away. Unless we have created a new grassroots leadership which will replace us, there will be a vacuum.
| | US Marine Kills Unarmed IraqiWritten by Gary R. Hess
Recent photos from NBC showed a US Marine shooting and killing an unarmed man in Falluja on November 13th. The US Marine had reported to be shot in face night before, but was able to continue fighting until siege was over.The action is now under investigation, however fellow marines state they would have done same under circumstances. Q: Does this mean his action was justified? A: No. Under no circumstance should an unarmed man be killed, even in battle. If he possessed any threat towards Marine then possible action should have been taken, but since he didn’t this is an outrage and Marine should be dealt a court-martial and sometime in military prison. Q: Is this how supposed best military in world acts towards situations under high stress? A: As far as we know US Military has done a good job for most part, but in situations like Abu Ghurayb and this case should be an indication that something is wrong with US military system.
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