Date Posted: Friday, April 16, 2004

MAS' Third Annual New York chapter conference drew hundreds of area Muslims together in order to define themselves in the context of living in the U.S.

NEW YORK, April 16 (MASNET) - The Muslim American Society’s New York chapter held it’s Third Annual MAS Conference in order to shed light on one of the most important issues Muslims confront while living in America, trying to find a place in the intertwining fabric of American society.

Entitled “Muslims in America: Towards a Defined Role,” this year’s conference attracted over 350 Muslims from different backgrounds and different nationalities who possessed two things in common: being Muslim, and living in America.

The two-day conference, held at the Muslim Youth Center (MYC) in Brooklyn, NY, included activities and services for all members of the family, offering lectures both in Arabic and English with appropriate translational devices for non-Arabic speakers, and lectures and skits aimed at the youth. A play area was provided for younger children.

Leading dynamic, spiritual, social, and political Muslim figures, including Dr. Jamal Badawi, Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim, Dr. Salah Sultan, Br. Abdul-Malik, Sheikh Shaker Elsayed, Br. Mazen Mokhtar, Sr. Soulafa Amer, Br. Mahdi Bray, Sheikh Reda Shata, Sheikh Maher Aql, and Sheikh Mohammad Mousa, offered lectures and sat on discussion panels.

The conference addressed the deep identity struggle faced by Muslims within the United States, especially after September 11.

Questions posed included: How to preserve personal Islamic doctrines? What are personal responsibilities and duties as a Muslim American? How can Muslims implement Islam in their daily lives? How to deal with non-Muslims? What is the position of Muslim American women in society? What role do Muslim youth play in America?

The soothing recitation of the Qur’an by Sheikh Ramadan Elsabagh kicked off the conference, followed by Sheikh Shaker Elsayed’s lecture entitled: “Our Role, Defined,” which set the stage for the entire conference, making it easy for attendees to grasp information in the ensuing lectures by placing it in context.

Elsayed explained the role of Muslims in America ranging from being loyal to one’s country to improving the community, to doing daw’ah work and sharing our Islam, but urged that one must first understand Islam as a comprehensive way of life, keeping away from fiqh (law rulings) differences, improving one’s conduct, and becoming an exemplary model in all that which one does.

In a intellectual, as well as spiritual, address entitled “Unity Within the Community”, Sheikh Maher Aql spoke passionately about the unity of the Muslim ummah (community of believers), reminding all attendees of Allah’s words: “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah [stretches out for you], and be not divided among yourselves” (3:103), urging that there can be no difference among Muslims based on skin color, age, or sex, but can only be based on the level of taqwa (God-consciousness).

Aql added that Muslims should transcend their small differences and realize the many things they have in common: belief, jurisprudence, role models, traditions, feasts, and hopes and fears.

Mazen Mokhtar spoke to the youth about their role in society and encouraged them to excel, succeed, and take part in spreading the message of Islam. He said the youth are vital to any rising community for their flexibility, understanding of American society, and passionate and sincere dedication to their cause. Coupled with the correct understanding of Islam, Muslim youth can stand up and change the world, with the support of Allah.

“But, will they?” asked Mokhtar.

Dr. Salah Sultan shed light on the issue of living in Western countries, urging Muslims that they should not live in the U.S. as if they will be going back to their country of origin, but rather come to realize that living in America obliges them to deepen their sense of loyalty and responsibility for improving their society. Sultan reminded attendees that daw’ah work can never succeed unless Muslims embed themselves within the very marrow of American society.

A joint lecture given by Jamal Badawi and Elsayed entitled “Activism in Islam,” eloquently stirred attendees, making them realize that change is most successfully implemented when done gradually, asserting that Muslims must realize that if they want to change their surroundings, then they ought to start within themselves and always take the initiative.

Shaker also urged the audience to accept no deterioration in religion. The concept of knowledge specialization was also addressed, in that everybody needs to adapt a specific role in society so as to form a complete a self-serving Muslim ummah.

Sr. Soulafa Amer addressed “Defining the Role of American Muslim Women,” illustrating the challenges faced by Muslim women living in the U.S., and defined their true role as exemplified in the guidance of the four most righteous women: Maryam, the mother of Jesus; Assiya, the wife of Pharaoh; Khadija, the wife of Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) and Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Mohamed (pbuh).

Muslim women ought to be, first and foremost, servants to Allah, to perform daw’ah work through exemplary actions, seek knowledge, and be righteous daughters, wives, and mothers. They should not be affected by the Barbie-doll mentality that instills the idea that a woman is valued by her beauty and not by her intellect.

In a two-part lecture entitled “Intellectual Challenges Facing Muslims,” Badawi focused on the intellectual challenges facing Muslims in the West, especially those associated with communicating to non-Muslims, addressing various issues surrounding the Islamic perspective on non-Muslims. He pointed out flawed arguments usually used against the Qur’an and scientifically defended the Islamic stance, which holds Jews and Christians in high esteem.

The issue of “Political Activism” was shrewdly presented by Mahdi Bray, who imparted that part of being an American Muslim is caring for one’s environment and country.

Thus it becomes our duty to help improve our surroundings by taking part in the political processes, but that must be rooted in “La Ilah Ila Allah” (There is no god other then God). He reminded young people, specifically, that it is their duty to speak up and advocate for the Muslim cause, justice and for “La Ilah Ilah Allah”.

The way of giving daw’ah, a major component of our role as Muslims in America, was illustrated by Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim in “Daawah Through Conduct.”

Paying close attention to Allah’s words, “Invite [all] to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching,” especially that Allah has put wisdom before preaching. Ghoneim explained that daw’ah needs patience and wisdom, as it is not so easy to invite people to Islam. However, he reminded attendees that we can pitch in with a word here and there, and the rest is for Allah to decide.

Additionally, Sheikh Reda Shata discussed “The Parent-Child Relationship” and stressed the importance of preserving the Islamic identity of the Muslim child in the United States, while realizing that it is important for these children to become part of their society.

In the entertainment portion of the conference, three young people from Al-Ghazaly school in New Jersey performed touching anasheed, followed by a skit performed by MYC.

The conference ended as Sister Ahlam Hassan, one of the organizers of the event, exclaimed with assurance, “I can only guarantee that next year it will be better, Insha’Allah.”