Community Participation

Diversity is part of the plan of Allah the Almighty and there can be no clash of civilizations, for we are all one people and the sons and daughters of Adam (peace be upon him). Yasser Soliman fascinatingly pointed out that in Surah al-Mumtahinah, verses 7-9, Allah the Almighty repeats the Arabic word used toward parents as in another verse to describe those who do not fight Muslims because of religion or persecute them. He also mentioned that Allah the Almighty loves those who are just. Perhaps in the present circumstances, it may be a reminder to those Muslim groups which have caused fitnah by their terror acts against innocent civilians.

What does it mean for the overwhelming majority of Muslims?

Muslims must not ghettoize or isolate themselves from mainstream society.

With global hostility and Islamophobia burgeoning, it is imperative for Muslims to participate in the community, and foster friendship and trust with those around us. While we aren’t all the same, because we have dissimilar beliefs, we can work together. Imam Mahdi Bray called for Muslims to be more active in environmental, animal rights and social justice causes, and he delightfully scoffed at the contention that we already have too many problems to solve: “I believe that Allah created us such that we can walk and chew bubble-gum at the same time.”