Islamdale
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I have been living in the United States for five years. When I left my homeland as a young man, the important thing on my mind was to leave a land of "lesser opportunity" to go to a land of "greater opportunity" and "to be something." Now that I have achieved that in the sense that I am on my own two feet, a well-established scientist, have a family, I have a moment to pause and ask, "Where I am? Who I am? Where I am going?" As it has been said: "If you don't know where you are going, you are sure to end up in a place where you never wanted to be." I am going to share with you some of my observations and priorities that should be looked at by the members of a small community. (continue page 2)
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The desire to move forward and strive for the best is inherent in human nature. As long as there are plans and visions, there will be hope and victory, inchaa Allah.
I received an email from a reader asking us to write about the purpose of "Islamdale" and the future of our commu- nity. The letter raised some questions pertaining mostly to the social future of Muslims in the west, which does not reflect a bright vision. The email also asked the following questions:
"Where we are? Who we are? And where we are going?"
A vision should never be dictated by one single person. It should be discussed within a community and sculptured by a group effort and earned through strives and actions.
Future is no less important than the present. We must prepare for it, using all what we know about it from the present. We have to work hard to earn a better future for our community and all its people.
Even in times of darkness and imperfec- tion, Muslims ought to look to the future with optimism and hope. Our religion requires us to have this attitude for we must be hopeful in the Almighty, at all times. The Qur'an and the history tell us that easier times always follow hard times, and that justice and virtue are the everlasting norm while instances of vice are only temporary interruptions. With such a positive outlook and support result- ing from knowledge of the history of the edge-old struggle between vice and vir- tue, one finds security in being assured that the will of Allah shall prevail.
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ICC. 511 S. Poplar St. Carbondale IL. 62901
Ph & Fax: 618-457-2770
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Volume 2, January 2001
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