Category Archives: Ijtema Authors

Buddy, it’s About Oil; but What Way Forward?

Posted on by
4

Let us welcome the freedom of the Kosovars from tyranny. Let us also thank the United States for ensuring that Kosovars are safe from human rights violations, at least for now. Kosova is also unique in some sense in that this majority Muslim population is pro-US. Much of the freedom struggle was funded by the Saudis- with support from US.

The Oil Factor

Given it’s shiny human rights record, history of war and occupation- it’s difficult to believe Washington’s commitment to democracy outside it’s own country. Their backing of Kosova has nothing to do with commitment to either democracy, freedom or human rights. You guessed it right- it’s about oil. Again. Continue reading →

Helping the Ummah, Bit by Bit

Posted on by
3

We feel angry and frustrated about the problems that the Ummah faces, and often complain about them. Nobody listens, which leads to yet more frustration.

But to complain alone is a mistake. To solve a problem, we must not stop at pointing it out. Rather, we should offer a solution and work on it. Thus the following is a humble attempt at offering such a solution, based on the advice found within the Qur’an and Sunnah.

The future of the Ummah? [Source: dlemieux]

Continue reading →

Keep Praying

Posted on by
13

Another exclusive Editor entry written for the readers of Ijtema. Sorry it’s been a while since the last one. Insha’Allah, we’ll try to be more regular in the future.

As Muslims, we believe in the power of prayer. That Allah hears our silent whispers; our pain-filled cries. Night or day. In public or in private. He hears us, and He helps us.

But sometimes we forget. Not even out of a sense of despair, but rather, due to a misunderstanding of the manner in which prayers are answered. Sometimes, we expect it all to be very black and white: you pray for a promotion, you get the promotion. You pray for a child, you’re granted a child.

But what happens when you don’t get what you want?

Continue reading →

To My Neighbour

Posted on by
17

I don’t blame you for having a skewed image of me. Every day, it seems like there’s another story that undoubtedly affects your perception of the Muslim community. Whether it be the ridiculous response to offensive cartoons, or the nearly daily attacks that take place in our war-torn countries, it must be difficult for you not to think we’re just a little bit suspicious. The murder case here at home, which has dominated headlines this past week, certainly does not help our case.

I know that all of our condemning doesn’t change a thing. I’d like you to know how much I am sincerely saddened by what is happening. Whether or not our sister Aqsa was murdered for hijab or not is hardly even relevant to me; she was killed nonetheless, and this is something that cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Please don’t think we are lessening her death because the hijab link is, at best, tenuous. She was meant to be loved and cherished as any daughter should, and it pains us that we could not be there for her when she needed us.

I know, you’ve already read this. You’ve already heard us say how Islam means peace and that such actions have no place in Islam. I’ve heard you, when you sarcastically make mention of our “religion of peace”. You wonder how we can keep echoing this refrain, even when not a day goes by when this statement is not challenged. Continue reading →

The Art of Integration – Muslims Case in Denmark

Posted on by
5

When Muslims outside in the West are asked what comes to their mind when hearing of Denmark, there is a big chance that they will refer to ”the Cartoon Crisis”. An incident that sparked outrage and political turmoil, finally putting Denmark on the world map and into globalization; ahead of famed Danish products like Hans Christian Andersen, Lurpak, and the giant philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard. (Oddly enough, his works are read only in small circles within Denmark, compared to other countries).

After the crisis, after the foreign media forgot all about us and we disappeared to our little andedam, many questions remained unanswered, and many of us were left soul-searching. Maybe it was best they left us alone and let the opportunity for the future PhDs to do all the analysis. However, it’s a shame and a mistake that the world left us alone; because if there is something we can export and be proud of, that would be how to integrate a large Muslim group (2 % of the population out of 5.4 millions) in a Western country.

During the crisis, it became clear that the Muslim population lacked the strong resources and organizations necessary to stand up to the media. Typically, those with strong resources are in the minority, and most of them leave the country as soon they get higher education, eventually settling down in England, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Despite that, the Muslims still managed to find spokespersons for their cause, with a few Imams taking the responsibility to speak on behalf of the community. Unfortunately, most of them lacked the understanding of the culture and social structure of their host country, and it did not help matters that the primary spokesperson had not yet mastered the Danish language.

One study showed that 80% of the Danish population has no daily contact with ethnic groups. In face of these challenges of integration, two Muslims sought to prove that you can be a Muslim, be integrated, and still be Danish. Both of these Muslims used different approaches, but ended with the same disappointing results.

Continue reading →

A Millenia of Science

Posted on by
2

The Earth was at the center of the universe. The movement of the stars above the moon decided the fate of the world below. This was the science of Aristotle.

The scholars of the new Islamic empire, established when the Roman Empire had given way to the Christian Byzantines, began to translate Greek books. They were astonished by the originality of the Greek sciences in measuring and determining the orbit of the stars. Whereas the Christians of that era had been extremely suspicious of such “pagan” texts, the Caliphate had been continuously absorbing books and sciences from Greece, Rome, Persia, India and else where, since the early days of its inception. During this time, the Greek sciences were subject to criticism and development; a process especially highlighted when they became difficult to reconcile with religion.

Continue reading →

The Muslim Bashing Must End

Posted on by
16

This is the second offering in our newly introduced series of original content written by Ijtema editors. A warning to the readers: in keeping with the tendencies of the blogosphere, this entry is a rant in every sense of the word, and was written in the “heat of the moment” after witnessing some quite horrendous behaviour. So please excuse the emotional tone. I pray it’s a rant worth reading, though.

—

I’m getting pretty fed up with Muslim-on-Muslim bashing. No, i’m not referring to the Shia versus Sunni violence prevalent in Iraq, nor the Sufi versus Salafi rhetoric found on countless forums and blogs spread across the net. Rather, I am referring to this kind of talk:

“Oh, the Muslims are so stupid…”

“Oh, the Muslims are so lazy…”

“Oh, the Muslims are so backward…”

Blah! Blah! Blah!

All from the mouths of everyday Muslims.

Don’t you guys get it?

YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT YOURSELVES.

Continue reading →

Finding Our Voice

Posted on by
5

This is the first in a series of original content which will be posted exclusively on Ijtema.net by our editors. While Ijtema’s focus will remain on highlighting the best of the Muslim blogosphere, we hope to share our own thoughts with you on the process. Your feedback is much appreciated!

Just a few years ago, finding good content from Muslims on the Internet was a rather futile endeavour. Between the popular media and the emerging blogosphere, the image of Muslims on the Internet was distorted, polarized, and inaccurate. But in the last few years, the Muslim community has embraced the blogosphere wholeheartedly. Not just the youth who grew up on the technology, but Muslims from all walks of life have subscribed to the medium: scholars, activists, professionals, artists, the East and the West. And as more and more content is created every day, it is becoming harder and harder to find the best content. And as new bloggers join the fold on a daily basis, it is increasingly difficult to get noticed with everything else out there.

Continue reading →