Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| New Dawah Center |
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| Kathy |
| 01/19/02 at 20:00:21 |
| slm Enlighten me. Today a Muslim told me that opening a Dawah Center- with out the blessings of the local Mosque was wrong and we should not do it. We should and have to ask permission. There is a need for a dawah center and this mosque has been here for over 30 years and never did it. So we(members of this mosque) finally did it.- we made it clear it was a compliment to the Masjid- not a competition. Is he right? |
| NS |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| Kashif |
| 01/19/02 at 20:09:50 |
| assalaamu alaikum Why weren't the masjid happy with it? Perhaps they see it as a rival to them? In which case its important that it doesn't become that. Kashif Wa Salaam |
| NS |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| Kathy |
| 01/19/02 at 20:13:52 |
| slm That is what I heard they thought. There was some comment about Muslims being tribal. We surely aren't- how can a dawah center be a rival to a mosque? I can't even imagine how that is possible. |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| se7en |
| 01/20/02 at 01:30:34 |
| as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllah, This is a problem that permeates a lot of different areas of Islamic work. I've had some experience with this sort of thing trying to set up youth groups in different communities, working in a national organization. We were often times considered outsiders and trouble makers that were trying to start things without the consent of the elders of the community. It's a challenge, most definitely, but it's a situation that needs to be handled tactfully and diplomatically. Just from my own experience, when you start something new, whether it be a daawa center, a youth group, a conference, etc, it's a good idea to try to get the approval of the people we usually call in unofficial slang terms, "the old heads" - basically the people who hold sway in the Muslim community. If these people resist or dislike your idea, they can really make something that's good and beneficial very difficult to put together. The key here is *how* you speak to them. In this instance, I don't think it's so much the need to ask their permission, but to get their approval and their involvement. If that's not possible (which is sometimes the case) it's just good to keep good relations with everyone involved, and to try to prevent any sort of hostility from emerging. Something that Hamza Yusuf says in his Agenda to Changing our Condition comes to mind here: [color=black]Do not see other Muslims, whether organized groups or individuals, as competitors or antagonists. Rather, see them as brothers, and work with them or work seperately with amicable relations, the least of which is giving greetings with a smile. [/color] May Allah reward you for your efforts sis. :) We've been toying with the idea of opening a daawa center in our area as well. It's very much needed at this time. wAllahu a'lam. wasalaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllah. |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| BrKhalid |
| 01/20/02 at 05:08:27 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) On the face of it, if the Dawah Centre is not under the umbrella of the Masjid, then why are they complaining? From a legal point of view, can they do anything to stop the Centre pursuing its activities? I would take the point if they were concerned over the religious instruction that was being given at this Centre (but assuming there is nothing at fault here) I don't see a problem from an Islamic point of view. Does anyone have the right to hold a monopoly over Dawah ??? Obviously the big question is whether this Centre will lead to division within the Community and whether this division will lead to greater harm than the perceived benefit of the Centre? Oh that we had the answers sometimes instead of having all the questions! Allah knows best Wasalaam Br Khalid |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| BroHanif |
| 01/20/02 at 08:30:56 |
| AWW, [quote]We were often times considered outsiders and trouble makers that were trying to start things without the consent of the elders of the community[/quote] Hmm, know the feeling. Sometimes being called a devient is quite heartbreaking. [quote]Does anyone have the right to hold a monopoly over Dawah [/quote] I wouldn't say monopoly but power. Some people just love the power they have. Anything else is just fitnah and splitting the community. Theres so many projects that we can do as a community, yet people stick to the old guns. Not everyone is the same, listening to bayaans in the mosque and then going home. If the youth, the backbone of the future Islamic community are not allowed to grow within an Islamic environment that caters for them, we've already lost half the battle. Salaams Hanif |
| NS |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| humble_muslim |
| 01/21/02 at 07:30:45 |
| AA Kathy, just ignore the people who are trying to stop you doing this. It's nothing but politics and control freakiness. Trust me, you will NOT be able to change the view of these people. Say Bismaillah, Tawakalto Allah, and go for it! |
| NS |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| saadia |
| 01/21/02 at 09:02:14 |
| Salaam Alaikum, Kathy, i lived in bing for about 5 years and it's about time they had a Dawah Center. I congratulate you on your work and may Allah bless all of you for your hard work. |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| Kathy |
| 01/21/02 at 11:59:22 |
| slm [quote]In this instance, I don't think it's so much the need to ask their permission, but to get their approval... [/quote] Ah... this is what 'gets my back up' - to get their approval. Must be a cultural conception. Who do they think they are- that I(we) need to go to them and ask if it is ok to set up a center? [quote]... if the Dawah Centre is not under the umbrella of the Masjid, then why are they complaining? From a legal point of view, can they do anything to stop the Centre pursuing its activities?[/quote] No- they can not stop us and we are continuing it- feesabe Allah. It would be much better if they embraced it and we worked together. For example if a person called the mosque- with questions- it would be nice if they referred them to the Dawah Center. As I have aged I have finally realized people's perceptions over a same sistuation vary- especially with in different cultures. This is why I am asking you these questions. I do not understand why they are complaining. [quote]Obviously the big question is whether this Centre will lead to division within the Community and whether this division will lead to greater harm than the perceived benefit of the Centre?[/quote] If this was to happen- I would not be a part of it. Already our community (a small one) has split into 3 seperate areas for Jummah prayers, with in a 5 mile radius. When I have spoken to those who split- they all had the same reasons- disatisfaction with the Masjid's executive committee. Our Eid Prayer this year was full- but with mostly all one ethnic group. I was so saddened to see so many of the other races missing. I feel stongly tho- to keep the community together- and even tho most of the Muslims I know better have gone elsewhere- it is not right. [quote]Hmm, know the feeling. Sometimes being called a devient is quite heartbreaking.[/quote] Yes, this part has not happened yet- at least to my face. I just don't want to be known as the rabble rouser. Just as a Sister who cares about Islam and fears her Lord swt. [quote]If the youth, the backbone of the future Islamic community are not allowed to grow within an Islamic environment that caters for them, we've already lost half the battle.[/quote] Masha Allah! This is so true. I talked to a bunch of teenagers and they were so excited about helping us with the Museum... Being older I have seen the last generation of our area teenagers- now in their late 20's, not excited about Islam or feeling connected with our community. Probably because now I have a son- I understand the significance of the above statement. Humble and Saadia- thanks for your words of encouragement. It all boils down to this- I want to please Allah swt. |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| Kathy |
| 02/08/02 at 09:28:09 |
| slm Next Saturday we are going to do the Hajj Experience! I am so excited- we already have kids that are excited to come. Insha Allah it will be a wonderful learning program and FUN! We will have all the stations of the Hajj complete with miniture ihram robes for the kids. It will be a hands on- by the kids for the kids. This is a well planned, well thought out program. So I called the president of our Masjid and asked him to announce it at Jummah prayer. He said no, they won't announce anything not mosque related. Hmm... and they wonder why our youth are slipping away. I feel like I have been kicked in the stomach. :( |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| eleanor |
| 02/12/02 at 06:24:47 |
| slm Kathy that's horrible! I feel so sad for you :( What a mean thing to do/say..and he's the *president* of the Masjid??? Why don't you ask the other mosques to announce it? I know you don't want to split the community but enough is enough already.. wasalaam eleanor |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| Kathy |
| 02/12/02 at 16:11:17 |
| slm It's the only mosque in town. There are jummah prayers on the college campus and a group who have split- but I am not ready to do that. The weird thing is all I asked him was to announce a children's program about Hajj. I just can't imagine why- especially since the masjid is not doing anything. Allah who Allum- we are full steam ahead and will be doing it on Saturday. A church group has actually signed up to come as well as the press! I am just so greatful to Allah swt that this Dawah center opened! It gives me an opportunity to do "cool" activities with the kids. |
| Re: New Dawah Center |
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| eleanor |
| 02/13/02 at 05:16:42 |
| slm [quote] I am just so greatful to Allah swt that this Dawah center opened! It gives me an opportunity to do "cool" activities with the kids. [/quote] Alhamdulillah :) wasalaam eleanor |
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