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Salma El-Gazzar
Euro-Muslims Desk
Name
Tallulah Bankhead
-
Profession
Malthusian Psychologist
Question
I have been having terribly frightening urges lately where I want to scream Allahu Akhbar at the top of my lungs from the passenger seat of my trolley in front of my fellow passengers when passing the overpass near my apartment. Is this normal?
Answer
Sorry this question is out of the live dialogue's topic, try to contact us later to be able to answer your question.
Name
Mohammad
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
After spending a few days with the Muslim students community in Southampton. Has Sheikh Amin spotted the weak sides the community are suffering from. If so what can be done during the month of Ramadan to deal with that
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Happy Ramadan from me to Muhammad and all my dear brothers and sisters who read this live dialogue. Ramadan Kareem.
No doubt that Ramadan is a unique opportunity to heal our year long wounds and shortcomings which we might have acquired throughout the year. As an Imam, I can tell you that it is not only the Islamic Society at the University of Southampton(ISUS) that is suffering from ailments, but there are problems and challenges which face all campuses where Muslim students study. Those challenges can be summarized as follows:
1. Old-yet new fresh differences regarding the beginning of the month of Ramadan, but al-Hamdulillah at the ISUS we have managed to contain those differences by following the London Central Mosque which represents the mainstream figurehead institution for all Muslims in the UK.
2- On campuses in general and Southampton, which has more than 20,000 students of which 2,000 are international from more than 100 different countries, in particular, it is not something new to spot differences as difference in part of the human nature. But, al-Hamdulillah again and again all the Muslim students at Southampton are enjoying it and Ramadan has really dissolved all differences because it is really a unique unifying factor. Ramadan here is like a melting pot where all cultures pray together, have iftar together and love each other for the sake of Allah. This is what I have generally noticed since my arrival here few days ago.
3. Lack of religious knowledge is a dangerous factor which affects students badly in this Hampshire part of the South, and I think it can be solved by having a figurehead imam to lead this wonderful community not only in Ramadan but also in other months of the year as well.
Briefly, these are some of the areas I can spot in these few minutes.
Thank you very much Muhammad for your valuable question.
Name
Hadi Morad
- Sweden
Profession
Question
Salams brother Al saued,
The Imams are playing a great role in guiding the Muslims generally, and the young generation as well, are there any instructions or guidance oriented to the Imams to be aware of the speeches they are going to give, and are there any agenda for this Ramdan?
Answer
Dear brother Hadi,
Thank you for your good question.
Imams or let?s say Muslim chaplains or pastors in this country as well as in all European countries should, as far as your question is concerned, apply the following:
1.Study well in terms of religious knowledge and not underestimate their audiences who are mostly highly-cultured and very much argumentative.
2. Read well! We need an imam who spends 3 hours of intensive reading before giving a Friday speech (khutbah) of 30 minutes.
3. Know their audience! This reflects the necessity of having home-grown imams who understand the reality and their surrounding circumstances to be better able to guide their local communities.
As for Ramadan, I can say that each imam should arrange his agenda according to the religious dose that suits his local community. However, there are general Ramadan topics that should be tackled such as the importance of Ramadan, fasting and what it means to the Muslims. Also, topics around the Qur?anic verses recited in Taraweeh should be raised. This is in addition to public interactive lectures and seminars which help promote real understanding and engagement.
All in all, the imam needs to have real engagement with people in general and young men and women in particular. He should try his best to unlock their hearts through endearing himself to them as a friend first before appointing himself as a religious pastor.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and happy Ramadan.
Name
Asmaa
- United Kingdom
Profession
teacher
Question
Salams all, I was suggesting some thing: Why don?t you organize for a gathering Iftar, where the Muslim and Non-Muslim Students can gather and re-enforce the social relationships?
First of all, I thank you so much for your valuable and honest suggestion which reflects to what extent you have a nice view of what means real community cohesion.
As Muslims, we should try our best to make use of the golden opportunity of the month of Ramadan to give our local communities and the people of other faith about ourselves and religious tenets. This should take different personal, community and national level forms. Interfaith community iftars where local council officials, policemen, local church leaders are all invited to share with Muslims is an amazing opportunity which Muslims in this country as well as Muslims world-wide need to activate and enliven. There are efforts being done, but believe me we are not advertising our Unique Ramadan product as it should be.
Last year, I lead an interfaith iftar where council officials from Portsmouth as well as police officers were present. It was very revealing and interesting, and all gather in the big hall at Portsmouth Jame Mosque and Islamic Centre to enjoy the delicious Tekka Masala and Curry with their Bangoli, Pakistani and other Muslims from all walks of life.
We are seriously planning to replicate the idea at Southampton Campus this year. Pray for us!
Thanks for your question.
Name
mohd akram
-
Profession
engineering undergraduate student
Question
Assalamualaikum wrt.
Jazakumullah khair to the syeikh es syed amin for leading the taraweekh prayer in Southampton. Besides of the nice recitation, the talk given during the taraweekh are very2 beneficial and good for us muslim here to reflect ourselves. And also jazakumullahu khair kathira for the daily Al-quran halaqoh after fajr prayer. It's gives us a valueable oppurtunity to improve our recitation. May Allah bless us all and gives us istiqamah.
Answer
I have nothing to say here but JAZAKA ALLAH KAIRAN brother for your keenness to attend the daily Fajr Qur'an Halaqah. I ask Allah SWT from the depth of my heart to fulfil all your wishes and all the wishes of the Muslim students at Southampton Campus and all other UK and international campuses.
I wish that this Ramadan draws to a close while we are stronger in iman, high in spirit and closely attached to GOD!
God bless you Akram and all.
Name
Mohammad Abusara
-
Profession
Engineer
Question
After spending a few days with the Muslim Students community at Southampton Uni, has Sheikh Amin spotted the weak sides of the community life? If so, what can be done during the month of Ramadan to deal with that?
Answer
Dear brother Muhammad,
this question has been answered before. Kindly check the answers of the previous questions.
Thanks for your understanding and Participation.
Name
Jihad
- Denmark
Profession
Question
Dear brother Ameen, may Allah support your efforts and good deeds,
I want to learn from your experience, am a graduate now, as I used to participate in the charity works during the university's times, but can you suggest few works I can manage outside the university, specially in Ramdana!
Answer
Thanks Jihad for your kind words.
Kindly, accept my heartfelt congratulations for graduation hoping that Allah guides you to find a suitable job where you can invest your potentials and keep your religion intact.
Simply, you can join local Muslim institutions in your community such as Islamic societies at the local university, Mosque boards as a volunteer in running and maybe managing the donation process.
In addition, I advise you to broaden your vision of what constitutes charity. Charity is a smile you draw on a person?s face, good helping hand at times of need, good morals which represent the image of a true Muslim in a country like Denmark.
I hope this works, and I am looking forward to hear your updates soon.
Name
Selma
-
Profession
Question
Aslamo Alikom o Rahmato Allah o Barakato,
First of all I'd like to thank you for introducing this idea, it's really very nice to see how youth are welcoming Ramadan in their universities.
Such live dialogues in my opinion helping young people to contact with their mates and learn much more useful activities to share in Ramadan.
I think that catering poor people would be a very needed active in this glory month, also organizing Islamic lectures, and arranging a circles for reading Quran are very good acts .
Those are the activities I knew about , so kindly recommend me with other good deeds and activities I can do me and my friends in our universities during Ramadan.
Thank you.
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-Salam sister,
May Allah bless you for your wonderful suggestions and kind words, aameen.
In addition to the valuable points you have referred to in your question, I think the following maybe added as well:
1. Organizing community iftar where Muslims share with their human fellows their Ramadan experience.
2. Outreach programs where public lectures targeting non-Muslims are to be held by local Muslim leaders, influential figures and imams. Such lectures should be given by people who understand the culture they are addressing and are well-versed in religious knowledge to answer any tough challenging questions. Sophisticated technology, that is invading every aspect of our daily lives, should be utilized rather than traditional means.
3. Joining hands with local relief organizations concerned with HUMAN causes rather than those with hidden agendas will reflect a bright image of Muslims as people who are part and parcel of their respective communities.
4. Taking special care of new Muslim converts especially during this month by introducing Ramadan to them in a nice, appealing and sound way.
5. Those who know Arabic should try their best to voluntarily teach the non-Arabs how to read the Qur?an and before all understand its teachings.
6. Awareness campaigns through leaflets, flyers, internet where such wonderful efforts are advertised to target the real audience and achieve valuable results.
7. Taking care of kids during Ramadan to make them live Ramadan as well.
8. Special care and priority should be given to women Halaqah especially in highly conservative local communities in order to empower the role of women on different family and community levels.
I hope this is useful?. More grease to your elbow!
Name
Ibraheem Gamal
-
Profession
Question
Salams brither Ameen,
How could we as Muslims change the stereotyping of the Europeans regarding Muslims and Islam? And how could we let the state itself shares in the manifestations of this Holy month?
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-Salam
Your first question requires an 800,00 words PhD dissertation to be made which normally takes 3-4 years! However, we as Muslims should try our best to:
1. Advertise our religion in the best way through being good and kind ambassadors to it.
2. Introducing our religious teachings in a wise way which attract others to us and not make them turn a blind eye.
3. Befriending Europeans who share us the sky, the earth, the air, the class rooms, the lectures and in whose countries we live and enjoy a free life that is far more better than that we once lived in our countries back home.
4. Promoting peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
5. Making them feel that this is our land and that we care for it in the same way they care for it, and even more.
6. Reacting to provocative acts wisely, and not violently.
7. Respecting their personal life as they are, and admitting that they are different.
8. Calling them to our religion with wisdom and fair exhortation.
9. Focusing on common grounds and attempting to melt out differences.
10. Showing them that we are really good people among ourselves in order for them to respect us.
As for the second question, I think that a country like the UK is doing many efforts to promote community cohesion. I myself have participated in a 5-year program sponsored by the FCO under the title: Engaging with the Islamic World and I have seen wonderful efforts being done to de-radicalise the Muslim youth and eradicate all forms of extremism and promote peace and tolerance. We as Muslims should reach out to others and join hands with them. If you look for such efforts and their likes you will surely see them in your local council, why don't you try.
Thanks.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alykum brother Ameen,
Would you give us and the readers a briefing about the main activities of the Muslim Community at the University of Southampton during the Holy month of Ramadan?
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-Salam
First of all, I am so thankful for the Euro-Muslim website to help me promote this wonderful idea hoping for our work to reach out to as many UK and Euro Campuses as we can.
According to my knowledge, this is the first time that the Islamic Society at the University of Southampton(ISUS) is having a specific prayer hall solely offered by the University Council for the Taraweeh during the month of Ramadan. This is in addition to another permanent hall for Muslim prayers known as 'The Muslim Prayer Hall', and you can easily notice it along the main university notice signs on the main road leading to the University. A third hall is reserved weekly for the Friday Prayer because of the big number of students that is estimated between 500 to 600 hundred both males and females. Moreover, the Taraweeh hall caters for both male and female students who flock to the Prayer hall few minutes before the `Isha Prayer. A great number of them break their iftar in this hall especially single students who share in ordering the food from local halal restaurants in the city. All the financial matters related to running the worship affairs of the Muslim students are theirs with no intervention or interruption from anybody or institution inside or outside the University even from local Mosques. It is an amazing student experience in the campus, really.
In this unique technological and engineering haven of the UK South (i.e. Southampton) where the famous icon Ship TITANIC once started, there are wonderful activities run by the Islamic Society at the University of Southampton which really make the students from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, and different geographical locations love to have their courses uninterrupted by taking a short break to live Ramadan back home.
The activities really enable them to live the true spirit of Ramadan in a free student Muslim environment that many of us in the Arab world, for example, may not have the chance to enjoy. To mention a few of the activities, I can say:
- Daily Qur'anic Halaqah after Fajr where the rules of the Qur'anic recitation are explained while individuals are reciting. You can imagine that up to 15 students represent 15 nationalities set together after Fajr to recite the Qur'an in the month of the Qur'an and know its rules, and the number in on the increase, al-hamdulillah.
- Sister's Halaqah offered by my wife who has a relative experience in giving talks, and masters the rules of recitation. For sisters, the same number shows up and even more.
-Kid's time which is held at the prayer room every other day after `Asr prayer where young kids learn how to pray and listen to simple talks about Ramadan and the Qur'an.
-Student Community Iftar open for all students males and females who break their fast, pray, eat iftar, and then pray nafl salah and read the Qur'an while waiting for the `Isha and the Taraweeh prayers.
-The Taraweeh prayers is the HIGHLIGHT of Ramadan here. Although it may last up to 10: 45, the students are keen to pray the Taraweeh. The students who accompany their families really enjoy it with their kids in the prayer place merry making in an enjoyable and peaceful atmosphere.
-All activities go digital as advertisement about the schedule of talks and lectures is forwarded to people through their e-mail groups and there are volunteering persons who look after that.
Name
islamic shaksiyah foundation class 5
- United Kingdom
Profession
students class 5
Question
we are in class five and are around 8-9 years old we are going though qs and ans sessions to learn about this holy month... we want to know what age should children start fasting and when are they accountable for it . are we rewarded even if at this point we are not accountable.
Answer
My dear beloved team at islamic shaksiyah foundation class 5,
I congratulate you for such wonderful commitment. You are really giving me assurance and believe me I am about to shed tear now. I wish I could hear your voice now to tell you how much you really embody the real example of young promising generation. May Allah guide you and reward you.
Religiously speaking, a boy and a girl should start fasting and prayer as soon as he\she reaches the age of puberty. However, I do encourage you to start fasting at an early stage even if you fast part of the day as such worship acts need one to apply a gradual approach.
No doubt that Allah will reward you for whatever good or religious act you will do.
