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Salam Alykom,
Brother Ajmal, after I've seen the program, I've a comment: are you sure that bringing non-Muslim guys -who have ever heard of Islam- and teaching them the principles of Islam , like fasting, praying, wear Hijab …..ext, would help in changing the stereotyping of Islam, or that would reinforce the wrong image!!
And what are the concrete results of this program tell the moment??!
Answer
Salam,
The purpose of these programs was to help a group of non-Muslims experience Islam and gain understanding of both Islam and the Muslims. As a Muslim one would practice the basic aspect of Islam on a daily basis such as pray five times a day, fast, give zakat/ charity, stay physically clean, wear modest clothes, abstain from drinking alcohol or drugs and of course illicit relationships. In a non-Muslim environment keeping up with these basic practices are difficult. Even many Muslims fail.
Through this program the non-Muslim participants gained a better understanding of the challenges the Muslims face and through practicing the basic features of the faith they gained insight into the faith that reading a book or listening to a lecture would fail to provide. You saw that the non-Muslim participants were put through these basic practices however what you did not see is the hours of explanation that went before, during and after. You only saw a snippets of the three weeks practice and the overall outcome was each of the participants were left with very positive understanding of Islam and the Muslim community, some even contemplated converting and all them found the experience life-changing.
Of course as Muslims our duty is to share our faith with the world through good examples and people of the world wish to embrace our faith that is entirely their choice. Our duty is not to convert people. In conclusion I think the overall impression of Islam in the eyes of the Non-Muslim communities has been very positive.
Name
Lubna
- United Kingdom
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
I really respect that the efforts you are making in the series of Make me a Muslim are entirely in order to help people to see what a beautiful way of life Islam is. I watched the first in the series and although I thought your method of explanation in a slow, calm and simple tone was greatly encouraging, I also had a few concerns.
- Do you actually believe that any of the participants are taking the whole thing seriously? Most of them seem to be people who basically just want to have a chance to be on TV!
- Do you not think that the introduction you give to these people about Islam as a faith and way of life should be a little more subtle and less demanding? Doesn't pressing people normally have a back lash effect more than anything else? In the prophet Muhammad pbuh's time people were very used to drinking alchohol, so it was not prohibited straight away because nobody would have listened. Instead, Allah swt prohibited it gradually. In the same way shouldn't the people you are guiding come to the teachings of islam gradually seeing as what they are used to is extremely unislamic?
- For things that are not necessarily totally wrong that could cause stigma which could otherwise have been avoided, such as the wearing of pink shirts for men, shouldn't things like this be avoided? I know many young men who wear pink shirts but are still model Muslims, mashallah. Pink isn't totally an effeminate colour nowadays, especially in the UK. Won't this just put more people off when the list of 'thou shalt nots' seems to them to be never-ending in Islam?
May Allah reward your efforts, thank you.
Answer
Yes you are absolutely right that our way of introducing Islam to anybody should be through best conduct, wise words and most importantly it should be a gradual process. The program brought together a group people to live like a Muslim for three weeks and each of the participants signed up to the program with the full knowledge that they would be expected to put in practice the basic features of Islam and that would require their full commitment.
Accepting and practicing the basic features of Islam for a Muslim comes naturally. Of course it would hard for a non-Muslim to accept these similarly. However if we stick to the program remit the idea was to take a group of non-Muslims and help them live like a Muslim. This pre-supposes that they have already gone through the understanding part and now they wish to live like a Muslim.
I spend three weeks with these participants and explained to them in details the feature of the faith, the philosophy that underpins it and most importantly how Muslims live it. You only saw the summery and only those bits that make good TV.
I am pleased with the overall outcome and all the participants found the experience greatly rewarding and life-changing. I am sure I could have done better. I believe we do our best and we leave the rest with Allah.
Name
C.K
-
Profession
Question
How are they coping? and is any of them afetr these weeks or in the middle of them still thinks of muslims and islam as a terrorist threat? is it too much obligations for them?
Answer
I am in touch with some of them and I hear they are doing well. All of the participants have said that the experience was an eye opener and certainly had their Impression of Islam and Muslims change for the better. I know for sure they do not consider all Muslims terrorists. I know this experience will remain with them for the rest of their lives and pray that they find their way to Islam one day.
Name
Aisha
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I'm a Muslim, and I thought this program is absolutely non-sense. It doesn't make any sense trying to make a non-Muslim live the life of a Muslim because Muslims choose to do the thing they do because they believe.
But for a lot of Muslims these things are very easy and we love it. I think aim of this program should have been to get non-practicing Muslims to start practicing, or to teach non-Muslim about the beliefs. What do you think?
Answer
Salam sister Aisha
Thank you for your comment.
Let me share with you some of the feedback I have received so far. I have received many phone calls and emails since the program. Over 90% of the feedback has been very positive. Here is an email I received from a non Muslim viewer - "I have watched the TV program - "Make me a Muslim" and think it was a fantastic program but felt sorry that people involved didn't really fully embrace this opportunity but you did a great job showing Islam as a positive. Well done!!
Some have disliked the program and I am sorry to hear that you are one of them. The idea of getting non-practicing Muslims to practice their faith as part of a program is a great program idea. This however was to get a group of non-Muslims practice Islam. And if you go by the transformation of the participants’ lives shown in the program I am sure you would agree that practicing Islam did change their lives profoundly. Some even stated they would consider converting to Islam. I believe you should not disregard the benefit that has clearly been shown in the program by the participants and term the program as absolutely non-sense.
Name
Adil
- France
Profession
Question
Salams Ajmal,
I guess one needs to start with the basics by bringing volunteers who actually have a genuine interest in Islam and Imams who can communicate clearly and understand the British culture. Why didnt you get better Imams?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Let me clarify one thing; I did not choose the Imams and I had no say over who was chosen for the programme. I only took part to the best of my ability. You said, “why didn’t you get better Imams”; I am afraid while you wish for better Imams, we have Imams of all nature in our Mosques across the country.
There are some who are able to articulate Islam clearly and logically and there are those who make a bad job of it. We have to be honest about one thing here, if our Imams are not of a standard that we like and that serves our community and country well, then why employ them in the first place? Imams must be able to present Islam well and wisely or there is a problem. if this programme showed Imams as problems then this should be taken as a wake up call for the Muslim community.
Name
Sajid
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Ajmal,
This program has done NOTHING to help us Muslims or t help non-Muslims understand Islam, except the opposite. Forget the do's and don't!! Teach them what Islam means and leave the rules for later. The prophet in his day, pbuh, would talk about god's mercy. not his wrath. He did everything in stages but kept emphasizing the love god has for us. these people did NOTHING to show that side of Islam.
Answer
Salam Sajid
I am sure you would not dismiss the positive message all participants gave throughout the programme including saying that they would even consider converting to Islam. I am sure you would not dismiss the positive outcome people found in not drinking for three week. I am sure would not dismiss the life changing impact it had on some of the participants. And I am sure you would not dismiss the positive sentiment expressed by majority of those who have communicated with me so far. Here is an email I received from a Muslim brother who watched the 3 programmes – “I wanted to offer my support and gratitiude to you as a fellow muslim who watched the "Make me a Muslim" programme on channel 4 and was inspired by your compassion and clarity of mind as well as improving the muslim profile and providing a positive image and example for ordinary muslims like myself and more importantly imams of mosques in Britain.” I hope you understand that there were many who found the programme very positive while some found it negative. I can not please everyone. But I did the best I could and I leave the reward of my action to Allah.
Name
Monzer
-
Profession
Engineer
Question
Brother Ajmal,
It is a good initiative to hold such a program, it includes positives and negatives, but no one could deny the advantages of it, so from your point of view, what is the most positive action happened in this program, and what is the disadvantages you've discovered after getting over with the episodes?
Answer
Salam Brother Monzer,
The most positive thing in the program was to see the life changes in every participant over the three weeks. I was most touched and moved by their personal stories and journeys. They were able to see that life is not all about eating, drinking and sex. They were able to see for themselves where their lives were going wrong. To be able to witness such profound life changes was most inspiring.
The most negative thing about the program was the fact that I did not have more time to spend with the participants. I wish I could have spent couple months with them and supported them in their journey. I suppose television requires instant results and material that would make good program that would keep the viewers interested.
There is always room for improvement and I am sure we could have done it better. I pray to Allah that He forgives us for our shortcomings and rewards us for all our efforts.
Name
Farrukh
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Assalam alaikum,
Somewhat skeptical about the show, but having seen it have to say that you did a fairly good job given time constraints and circumstances. How about a follow up show, perhaps on the lines of taking non-Muslims to live and practice as Muslims in say a Muslim country e.g. Malaysia, Egypt, other?
Answer
Salam Farrukh,
Thank you for your comment and kind words. I think it would be a great program getting a group of non-Muslims to live and practice as Muslim in a Muslim country. I will certainly put the idea forward.
Thank you again.
Name
Ahmad
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Salam Alikom brother,
Though i didn't watch the program but the idea is very interesting, do you have ideas for upcoming programs like this?
Answer
Salam Ahmad,
Thank you for your message.
You would be able to see the program on Channel 4 on demand if you wish. Try it from their website. I have not heard of any similar program idea but I would let you know when I hear about one.
Name
Mohammed
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salams everyone,
Where did you get the idea of this program from?? And why these team were chosen to perform the Islamic rituals, in different meaning, how did they heard of this program? And what was the motive which pushes them to apply for this program?
Answer
Salam Muhammed.
The programme idea and production was led by an independent production company. Those who took part were chosen from a wide range of people and mentors were also chosen by the programme makers.
The motive was to show non-Muslim community what it means to be a devout Muslim in a predominantly non-Muslim society. It was also to challenge the stereotype by demonstrating Muslims as peaceful spiritual and fair people. I believe the objective was achieved and participants stated their own views confirming that.
Name
Editor -
-
Profession
Answer
Dear visitors,
The session has ended. We would like to thank Ajmal Masroor for taking the time to answer your questions and we apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session.
We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
