The Social
Needs of North American Muslims
(1)
By Sohail Wahab
Toronto, Canada
This refers to Abubakr G. Shaikh’s
observations on ‘The social needs of North
American Muslims’ in a recent issue of your
paper.
His in-depth knowledge and articulate presentation
must be commended. Indeed, it was a revelation
to me that among the few South Asian writers there
were a few like him who could dare to analyze
sensitive matters impacting the Ummah and Muslims
in North America with such clarity and candor.
His observations make sense and should serve as
food for thought.
I agree with him that distortion of facts about
our great religion and its wrong interpretation
by extremist clerics have greatly contributed
to the present confusion about the teachings of
Islam. The Darfur tragedy is the result of our
inner conflicts and the insensitivity of Muslims
in particular and the world in general.
I am reading the history of the Sub-continent
these days. I believe that the Muslims of South
Asia were deliberately divided to deprive them
of a role in this part of the world.
(2)
By Ahsan Siddiqui
Okalahoma
Abubakr G. Shaikh’s illuminating article
on "The social needs of North American Muslims"
is both comprehensive and easy to understand.
The learned author deserves a great deal of commendation
for having highlighted the importance of the institution
of Zakat and its proper utilization. Needless
to say, the concept and practice of Zakat has
been greatly misunderstood and misconstrued.
As revealed in the Holy Qur’an, wisdom is
the source, and 'IJTIHAD' means to an end, to
resolve every worldly problem at any time and
place provided the ummah has honest intentions
to resolve issues amicably, undeterred by antagonistic
forces.
Now is the time to live! This song is sung all
the time in the 'Disney World.' Listen! It is
not without a message for the global village.
It is a clear indication of the "New World
Order". Wake up! How quickly everything is
moving today while yesterday things went on monotonously
in a routine way. I wonder if I have changed during
the night! Let me think: Was I the same when I
got up this morning? Survival of the fittest and
elimination of the weak has never been so real
and true as it is today.
I fully agree and endorse Mr. Shaikh’s point
of contention which is honest, fair and just.
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