JO - Muslims need to be visible in Ja
Jamaica Observer
Muslims need to be visible in Ja
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Dear Editor,
I would like to use this medium to encourage the leaders of Islam and other Muslims in Jamaica to make their presence felt. A typical observer or Jamaican would see one or two women or men who dress like Muslims (with scarf, etc) mingling around but somewhat aloof. This behaviour can be understood in the context that Jamaica is a mostly Christian society and not an Islamic State with the Shariah Law. It is therefore possible that some Jamaicans view Muslims with contempt and see them as "suicide bombers".
Any well-thinking Jamaican will know that not all Muslims are "suicide bombers" and that committing suicide is a religious belief embraced by some Muslims in the Far East. For some Muslims, committing suicide is not based on the teachings of the Koran or what Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, but nonetheless is a religious belief. Therefore, because of what Jamaicans might think, Jamaican Muslims are often isolated from the ordinary Jamaicans. I call on them to integrate into society and participate in every segment of the society. There is no shame in being a Muslim.
Often I wonder if the Muslims in Jamaica are a part of some secret society. There is no contact information in the phone directory of any mosque for persons who are interested in Islam to access. I thought Muslims wanted their population to increase in Jamaica. One way of doing that is to advertise as in the case of using the phone directory. Persons who are interested in converting to Islam would use that means as almost every household has a phone directory. They would visit the mosque and begin studying the religion. Muslims need to spread the Word that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) spread when he was alive. If Christianity cannot change somebody, I personally believe that Islam can.
Islam is based upon the word of Allah. It is based upon facts, not opinions or views. The Muslim community in Jamaica needs to be seen. They need to come out. Do not bow your heads in shame because of what the extremists in the East are doing. Share with ordinary Jamaicans your religion. Be accessible to the Jamaican populace. Be readily available to prisoners, students and the wider society.
Rashida Bryan
Silent Hill District
Coleyville PO
Manchester
rashida_bryan@yahoo.com
Muslims need to be visible in Ja
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Dear Editor,
I would like to use this medium to encourage the leaders of Islam and other Muslims in Jamaica to make their presence felt. A typical observer or Jamaican would see one or two women or men who dress like Muslims (with scarf, etc) mingling around but somewhat aloof. This behaviour can be understood in the context that Jamaica is a mostly Christian society and not an Islamic State with the Shariah Law. It is therefore possible that some Jamaicans view Muslims with contempt and see them as "suicide bombers".
Any well-thinking Jamaican will know that not all Muslims are "suicide bombers" and that committing suicide is a religious belief embraced by some Muslims in the Far East. For some Muslims, committing suicide is not based on the teachings of the Koran or what Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, but nonetheless is a religious belief. Therefore, because of what Jamaicans might think, Jamaican Muslims are often isolated from the ordinary Jamaicans. I call on them to integrate into society and participate in every segment of the society. There is no shame in being a Muslim.
Often I wonder if the Muslims in Jamaica are a part of some secret society. There is no contact information in the phone directory of any mosque for persons who are interested in Islam to access. I thought Muslims wanted their population to increase in Jamaica. One way of doing that is to advertise as in the case of using the phone directory. Persons who are interested in converting to Islam would use that means as almost every household has a phone directory. They would visit the mosque and begin studying the religion. Muslims need to spread the Word that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) spread when he was alive. If Christianity cannot change somebody, I personally believe that Islam can.
Islam is based upon the word of Allah. It is based upon facts, not opinions or views. The Muslim community in Jamaica needs to be seen. They need to come out. Do not bow your heads in shame because of what the extremists in the East are doing. Share with ordinary Jamaicans your religion. Be accessible to the Jamaican populace. Be readily available to prisoners, students and the wider society.
Rashida Bryan
Silent Hill District
Coleyville PO
Manchester
rashida_bryan@yahoo.com
posted by Consul-At-Arms at 12:12 AM
1 Comments:
Yes, I agree with the writer that muslims in Jamaica need to be visible. A muslim should be so proud to potray good qualities according to Islam teaching. This is also a part of dakwah for muslims to give good example how beautiful Islam when we practice it as a way of life. Peace with pleasure of Allah. As muslim is a mirror to other muslim, be a good follower of prophet Muhammad (pbuh)and never do bad behaviour that can make other misinterprete it and relate it to Islam. Allah loves you.
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