I believe that the European Family Laws can not be applied on Muslim families. we need some rules from the shari`ah to be accomadted within the european laws? What do you think about this and how can we make this dream comes true?
Answer
First, I would like to thank you for the question, the European laws were initially made to suit the European context, but we believe that they may cover to a large extent the needs of the Muslim family, providing we deal with them appropriately; such that the Muslim family, in all its constituents can benefit from them. This is a required effort.
As for new laws that are more suited to the Muslim family as an important constituent of European society, such that it can bring up its children appropriately and protect its integrity and strength, this is a dream that we must seek to realize by pursuing all the legal and official means.
True, we cannot be optimistic that this will happen shortly, but we must work towards that from this moment onwards, in order to protect the family, and ensure the stability and harmony of European society generally.
Name
Ahmed
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Profession
Question
Dear sir
may you give us a general idea about this campaign ? and why you choose 2009 especially to work for the Muslim family in EU ?
Answer
No doubt that the family is an essential building block in society's fabric, and the stability and harmony of the Muslim family is one of the most important factors leading to stability of Islam and Muslims in Europe, otherwise its future will be in jeopardy.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said "all of you are shepherds (responsible) and accountable for your flock".
Exercising responsibility is not only in guaranteeing likes basic needs, but it seems that to other important things, such as responsibility for the religious upbringing, moral direction, and the psychological and social welfare of the family members.
In the past two decades, a number of significant obstacles and problems confronted the Muslim family in Europe. This important entity (integrity of the family unit), which we were long proud of here in Europe, had begun to suffer the disease is familiar to the European families before. Therefore this campaign was launched to remind of the importance of the family to all those concerned, in order to undertake those programs and initiatives to serve the protection of the Muslim family.
This is a call to everyone individuals, organizations, females, males, young and old, educators, and Du’at, as well as parents.
Very worrying indicators including rising divorce rates among Muslims, a deteriorating situation in terms of integrity of the family unit, degraded social and human relations, and the dangers of delinquency, drugs, and crime, all these factors were imperative in motivating this campaign under the motto of "towards a stable Muslim family, serving European society".
The choice of 2009 was due to the fact that although the need had been established years before, Muslims in Europe had not been able to address this issue until now. FIOE the leader of the initiative did not want to delay the matter any longer and with our partners individuals and organizations who wish to focus on the Muslim family in order to confront the challenges --- the right start, even though a little late.
Name
mohammed
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Profession
Question
Salaams,
Please give us an idea about the main activities of this project ? I am a Muslim living in Germany , how can I get connected to this campaign ?
Answer
This campaign launched by the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) with the participation of tens of different Islamic organizations in the majority of the European states, as well as the participation of media, Dawah and social organizations both within and outside Europe.
The campaign aims to protect the Muslim family on two levels:
„X Prevention, with the aim of establishing the correct foundations that prevent the problems from occurring in the first place.
„X Treatment, with the aim of diagnosing and treating the root problems from which the Muslim family in Europe with all its constituents suffers.
The campaign has 12 essential pillars revolving around:
1. The role of the Muslim family in the West.
2. The rules governing the relationship between husband and wife in the West.
3. The mutual marital rights and responsibilities among Muslims in the West.
4. Financial maintenance and the financial system of the Muslim family in the West.
5. Marriage among Muslim families in the West.
6. Dispute and difference in the Muslim family in the West.
7. The issue of multiple wives in the Muslim family in the West.
8. Inheritance between Islamic Shariah and European law.
9. The role of Islamic organizations in protecting and immunizing the Muslim family.
10. The Islamic responsibility towards Muslim children in the West.
11. The period of youth in the West: reality and challenges.
12. Creating awareness in European official bodies of the importance of Islam in protecting and preserving the family fabric.
These are distributed were 100 categories of action, which lead on to around 1000 different programs and activities, and so the campaign was named "the 1000 campaign for protecting the Muslim family in Europe".
As for the second part of the question in terms of participation, this is open to organizations, families, and individuals, and the wider the sphere of interaction with it, the greater its success, Allah willing.
This can take the form of a partnership contract with the campaign, or receiving the materials and programs, and interacting with them in a way suitable to the organization, family or individual.
I suggest that Brother Mohammed get in touch with the nearest partner or cooperating organization; the addresses in Germany can be found at: www.i-g-d.de, or by following the links dedicated to the campaign on IslamOnline for European Muslims (www.eumuslimfamily.net), in which all the addresses and names and useful material can be found.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Answer
This session has come to an end.
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I wonder what about the identity crisis our Muslim children have because of bein in Europe... How will the campaign help me and how can I make use of it?
Answer
Wa alaykum al-salam
No doubt that the problem of identity among Muslim children and youths is one of the greatest challenges facing the Muslim family and those concerned with it. Therefore, we are striving in this campaign through the specific angle related to children, which I indicated in my previous answer, to focus on this aspect through a programme of creating awareness among Muslims of the importance of upbringing and education (Tarbiyyah), as well as social and cultural welfare and education in order to preserve their Islamic identity.
Also, to promote among Muslim children the attitude and inclination to pursue a full and balanced education, as well as training on good social etiquettes, with the aim of protecting them from violence and negative behaviours. Also to create awareness amongst educators and teachers through modern educational techniques, and focusing on targeted educational activities.
The efforts focus on the following areas:
1. Islamic upbringing and welfare.
2. Protecting identity and culture.
3. Full and balanced education of the child.
4. Correct and good social etiquettes.
5. Caring and loving treatment.
6. Enjoying leisure time, and focus on beneficial activities.
7. Focus on the value of freedom within the Islamic understanding, for example freedom of expression and choice.
8. The UN Declaration of the rights of the Child, and Islam, points of agreement and disagreement.
These essential meanings are focused upon through a number of practical activities, example:
1. Open family encounters.
2. Targeted activities in Muslim full-time and weekend schools.
3. An effective role for Imams organisations and Fatwa committees in relation to children's issues.
4. Reviving drawing and arts competitions for children relating to expressing the positive spirit of the family, and the various objectives of the campaign.
5. Effective role for the research and studies department to undertake a number of scientific studies aimed at, for example: helping children of school, protecting Islamic and cultural identity, upbringing of Muslim children in the West etc.
