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Name
Doaa
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Profession
Question
Assalamu`alykum sister Dr. Mattson. Can you please tell me the biggest event that happened to you over the last year and how much impact it had on you?
Answer
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahamtullah Doaa:
Obviously, my election to the ISNA presidency has had a big impact on my life. Although I served for two terms as Vice President previously, the election to the presidency brought a lot of media attention. I have been pleasantly surprised that most of this has been positive and has provided me with a good opportunity to clarify many misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. It has shown me that there are many people who really are interested in having accurate information about who we are and what we believe.
Name
Akhtar Ali
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Profession
student
Question
Some people think women are not usually capable of heading big organizations. How could you see this in light of your new position as the first female ISNA president?
Answer
I believe women as a group have the ability to manage as well (or as poorly!) as men. We need to judge people on their individual skills and capacities, and not make assumptions about them based on their gender.
I know that many people worry that women who have heavy responsibilities such as this will neglect their families. The reality is that it is true of men as well as women. We all need to give our families and relationships the attention they need. But our families are our first, not our last responsibility. Collectively, we have the responsibility of improving the world. Allah the most high says, “The believing men and the believing women are supporters of one another: they enjoin what is good, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” (Surat At-Tawbah 10: 71)
I have been blessed by Allah that I have a husband who is my partner in our family responsibilities, as well as in our community work.
Name
iman
- Canada
Profession
Question
Thank you sister for taking my question. Could you tell me what do you think we Muslims can do to better reach our non-Muslim friends and neighbours. What do you think they need to know most about Islam?
Answer
As-Salamu `alaykum sister Iman:
We cannot blame our non-Muslim neighbors for being anxious about Muslims – look at the news they are getting! Studies have shown, however, that most North Americans who have a personal connection with a Muslim – as a coworker, neighbor or friend – have a positive view of Islam and Muslims. What we need to do first, therefore, is to be open to others. If we hide away in our Muslim communities and do not make a real human connection with others, we are wasting a valuable opportunity (not to mention our own need to learn from others).
Where Muslims are a minority, it is difficult to ensure that everyone has this positive connection. That is why we also have to organize outreach programs in our Islamic centers and other places. But it is important that you yourself are prepared to think deeply about the issues you will be asked. What do you really believe about freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the other issues most non-Muslims care about, and are afraid that Muslims neglect?
Name
Sister
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Profession
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum dear sister, I am very much impressed and proud that we have such a wonderful woman like you and you are such an inspiration.
If there was one thing you wish you could accomplish that would make you feel like you really made a difference for the Muslim community, what would you do?
And also we would like to invite you to speak in our community how can we contact you for that.
May Allah bless you for your kind words of support.
I would very much like to see each community of Muslims at the level of the local Islamic center engage is vigorous discussions about their purpose and mode of operation. Although national organizations, like ISNA, do important work, the mosque is where the most important contact is made. If the mosque is functioning well, the youth of the community will stay attached to Islam and will grow to be committed and effective Muslims and citizens. If the mosque is not functioning well, the results can be terrible.
In addition, many non-Muslims contact the local mosque first when they want to learn something about Islam, or make some outreach to the Muslim community. Often they are greeted with a frowning face, or an answering machine and they never have their call returned.
The only way to move forward is for the current leadership of mosques and Islamic centers to have a series of open community forums to discuss the vision and purpose of the mosque. What are the priorities? Youth? Da`wah? Outreach? Providing support for needy families? Or just to be a quiet place to pray? Insha'Allah, many things can be done if the community draws on the energy and ideas of all members – men and women – who are willing to contribute.
Name
IMPORTANT QUESTION
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Profession
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum. The women and girls in our town are really interested in meeting with you, how can we make arrangements for you to come to our town, Insha'Allah?
Answer
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahamtullah:
Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in having me visit their communities. I am eager to visit as many communities as possible, but also need to balance that with the responsibilities I have to oversee ISNA.
I believe it is important that Muslims have well-functioning organizations that do not depend too heavily on individuals. For that reason, I believe I need to put most of my attention organizing, managing and expanding ISNA's capacity. In addition, I am a professor of Islamic Studies, and am deeply committed to teaching the next generation of Muslim scholars.
I love visiting communities, because I always feel energized by the good work I see going on across North America. However, since my time is limited, I recommend that people look to see where ISNA regional conferences and programs will be and also attend the annual convention, where I will be speaking insha'Allah.
Name
Rashad
- United States
Profession
Communication
Question
What is ISNA's position on the United States actions in the Muslim world and most recently in Somalia?
Answer
ISNA is a religious organization that is focused on providing a platform for dialogue for Muslims in North America. To that end, we do not take positions on political issues or international events, except to encourage ethical and lawful behaviour on the part of all people.
We do encourage Muslims to be active and informed citizens, so they can engage in public discussions on politics and policies with integrity.
Name
Breathe
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I am aware that there are many imams in the West that preach things that go strictly against Islam such as violence and terror. How do you at ISNA work to fix this problem which is giving all of us Muslims a very bad image?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am not sure that there are "many Imams" who preach these things. That is a factual matter that would need to be investigated. I do not believe that it is the reality in North America; I don't know enough about Europe to say if, with all the scrutiny Muslims are under, that it is a real problem there.
I believe that most imams – in North America at least – are sincere in wanting to contribute positively to society. The biggest problem that I see is that most communities are not clear about what qualities and skills they want in an imam. Many mosques engage an imam because he has beautiful Qur'an recitation, but then complain because his English is not good and he is not aware of the social issues facing the youth of the community. That is not fair. We need to be clear about the skills we want in our imams, then support their education and training so they can acquire them, as well as distribute the responsibilities among other qualified individuals. At ISNA, we are working with Imams and community leaders to discuss these issues and we are offering workshops and other programs to improve the professional capacity of those who serve the community.
Name
Khalid
- Greece
Profession
Student (medicine)
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum dear sister. I am a convert for almost two years in Greece. Most of my friends know by know that I am Muslim and none really has a problem or even cares. My mother on the contrary... I have worked really hard for her to accept that I am Muslim and we get on very well. But there are times now and then that she gets angry with me and argues, never listening to what I might tell her. Fortunately the situation is much better now. I would like some advice on:
1) How to prove to my friends and family that the Islamic way of life can be co-exist with the modern way life
2)How to show to my friends (most of them are atheists and Darwinists) that being a modern scientist doesn't necessarily mean that you don't believe in God.
3)How to explain to my friends (Muslim and Christian) and my mother that Islam doesn't degrade women (since they see the situation in Greece with many illiterate Muslims treating their wives and daughters badly, they think that women are inferior to men in Islam)
As a convert myself, I can relate to your situation. I would like to share with you some of the struggles I had when I first became Muslim, and what also helped the situation.
One of the biggest challenges I had was dealing with all the conflicting advice I got from other Muslims regarding my family after I converted. Some people told me that I had to cut off relations, and others told me that I was obliged to tell them that they were living in sin and error. All that advice was bad. It is wrong to cut off relations with your family and the reality is that your family and friends are not going to accept that you can suddenly preach to them.
What is most important is that you live as a good Muslim, live your values, and over time, your family will be convinced that this was a good choice. Still, there will be lifestyle differences between you and our non-Muslim family, and that can lead to irritation at times. Be patient with your mother, and try to understand how much she has had to adjust (in the food she cooks for you, in family gatherings, etc) because of your choice. If you show lots of love and gratitude, your relationship will be good insha'Allah. May Allah bless you and give you wisdom. Please convey my greetings to your mother – my mother is a 76 year old Christian and is very dear to me. But it took time for us to establish a new and better relationship after I became a Muslim.
With respect to the treatment of women: you are right that perhaps the first thing that needs to be done is to educate Muslim men. Although we can say that Islam does not condone the mistreatment of women, if the reality if that many Muslim men do mistreat women (and further, justify it in the name of Islam), then it will be hard to convince anyone otherwise. In addition, if we truly believe that such mistreatment is wrong, then we have to do something about it.
What I suggest is that you educate yourself first about these issues, and then work to educate others about this issue. Perhaps you can prepare handouts for imams so they can discuss the issue in their khutbas. Perhaps you can organize a workshop in a local community center or the mosque on this issue. There are many things you can do, even if your time is limited. The most important thing is to get a discussion going about these issues.
Name
Muslimah
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Profession
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum, I admire you very much and look at you as one of the best role models for our girls today.
My question is that when a divorce occurs, and the mother will be taking care of the children after divorce, does she have a right to ask for a place to live from her ex-husband and to ask for alimony, to what extent is going through local court proceedings Islamic?
Answer
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah sister:
Marriage and divorce issues are especially complicated for Muslims living in North America. You should consult with a Muslim lawyer who has experience with family law in order to see that your Islamic rights are secured, as well as your civil rights. Any agreement you make will eventually have to be guaranteed by the civil court since the Muslim community has no means to enforce any agreement.
May Allah help you and protect you and your children.
Name
Afshan
- Canada
Profession
Homemaker
Question
AssalamuAlaikum! As we see that Islam is the fastest growing religion here in North America, and thousands of people embrace Islam each year, MashaAllah. What is ISNA doing to help reverts? It appears that many reverts need help that they don't adequately get from Muslim sources.
Answer
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah:
I agree, reverts (converts) need alot of support. At ISNA, we try to provide information, in the form of lectures and workshops at our conferences and annual convention, and in our magazine, Islamic Horizons. But a national organization cannot provide the social network that new Muslims so desperately need. New Muslims need friends to sit with, eat with, pray with, laugh with. That is where the local community and individuals have to step forward. I urge every Muslim family to have an open house policy of welcoming new Muslims (and even "old" Muslims who do not have family members around) into their lives.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank sister Dr. Ingrid Mattson for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We encourage our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
