The dialogue with the other is a "fard", said Abu Sway

By Dina Rashed, IOL Correspondent

CHICAGO, December 29 (IslamOnline.net) – Two of America's largest Muslim advocacy groups concluded Sunday, December 28, an annual conference, in Chicago, on the conditions of Muslims living in the West, casting a harsh and clear light on the importance of reaching out to the other.

Organized by the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), the four-day event was held under the theme of "Muslim Citizens of the West: Rights, Duties and Prospects" and brought together African American Muslims, Arab immigrants and groups of different religious backgrounds.

"I believe it is in the hearts and minds of eight million Muslims in America that we must dialogue with open hearts with our fellow Americans," said Imam Yehia Hendi, Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown University and head of MAS Dawah department.

"It is the mission of Muslim American Society and Islamic Circle of North America," he told the gathering at the Grand Ball room of the Hyatt-Regency East Tower.

Scott Alexander, a panelist and Director of the Catholic-Muslim Program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, cited pieces of advice given by Pope John Paul II to enhance dialogue among humanity.

He said dignity of every human being should be respected and the solidarity of the human family enhanced, let alone the natural law, which Alexander considered as parallel to fitra in the Islamic context.

"When nationalism is used to raise a fraction of the universal family in terms of economy, social service and military sphere then this is the nationalism that contradicts the fitra and the natural law," Alexander added.

Professor Mustafa Abu Sway, the director of Islamic Research Center at Al-Quds University in occupied Jerusalem, said the dialogue with the other has now become a must for all Muslims after the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Given the global age where we live the dialogue "is a fard (obligation)," added Abu Sway.

MAS President Souheil Ghannouchi highlighted how important it is for Muslims in the West to spread the message of Islam in the West.

"Da`wah is not an option, it is a necessity and an urgent necessity," said Ghannouchi.

Islam And Immigrants

Kim Bobo, a panelist and the National Director of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, said the Muslim community in the U.S., around eight million, could help in meeting the challenges facing immigrants to Uncle Sam.

Bobo listed a number of prime challenges facing immigrant workers, chiefly discrimination and low wages.

She put forward a number of steps where the Muslim community can help law-wage members to overcome "sweatshop conditions".

She suggested that mosques hold awareness educational sessions in which the workers are to learn more about their rights.

Bobo also said that one of the most effective ways of combating injustice or discrimination in the work place is through finding the right communication channels with the political representatives.

Mohammad Eissa, Professor of Arabic Studies in the University of Michigan, said that the conference with the number of attendees is sending a strong message about the Muslim presence in North America.

"It shows to fellow Americans that we are here to stay," Eissa told IslamOnline.