Now Sing with me - Y, M, C no A

[SayidSomal]

Young, Muslim, Citizen- Identity, Empowerment and Change

[SayidSomal]

Victim mentality

‘The victimization mentality amongst Muslims needs to be addressed and combated.’

Participation

‘Young Muslim people have higher levels of political participation than young non-Muslims. Activities include voting, organizing themselves, attending debates, protests and demonstrations, and approaching local MPs with concerns and opinions.’

Us and them

‘Discourse within the Muslim community that disrespects fellow citizens needs to be tackled. Muslims must not perpetuate a dualistic perspective that sees a Muslim “us” and a non-Muslim “them”.’

Social contracts

'According to Islam, one must respect the social contracts of the structured political and social community one belongs to.’

Basic social problems

‘Muslim organizations in Europe need to engage more with basic social problems such as poverty, domestic violence and the low levels of education amongst Muslim women. Many Islamic organizations fail to make use of their position and power to promote an engagement with these issues.’

Margins and mainstream

‘It is not just a matter of whether Muslims are participating in the political arena but how they are participating and in which areas. There seems to be more Muslim engagement with international rather than domestic issues. If Muslims want to be citizens in the mainstream, rather than on the cultural and religious margins, this discrepancy has to be addressed.’

Critical loyalty

‘To be loyal to a structure does not mean being uncritical of it. An atmosphere of critical loyalty to both domestic and international social and political structures needs to be promoted.’

Responsibility to non-Muslims

‘Muslims have a social responsibility towards non-Muslims. As citizens, Muslims should ask themselves: what do I, as a Muslim, have to offer to non-Muslim citizens in Europe?’

Mutual respect

‘An attitude of mutual respect needs to be promoted. “Treat humans with respect and love for they are either Muslims and your siblings in faith or non-Muslims and your siblings in creation.”’ (Ali)

Historical contexts

‘There needs to be a better understanding of the historical contexts of Islam. These contexts are often omitted from teaching within Muslim schools and mosques. This has led to a situation in which Muslims are dependent on scholars. It does not encourage individual reflection and is therefore not conducive to promoting active citizenship.’

[ElPunto]

Pointless platitudes.

[SayidSomal]

^do you only see things in points?

 

P.S. platitudes are pointless by definition

[ElPunto]

^This is especially pointless.

 

Yeah - if I post something I would like it to have a point. ie enlightening, analytical, humourous etc. Telling folks to behave like decent people is rather useless. And then to have you post it. Well.....

[SayidSomal]

^well, in that case take this post as having "etc" point

 

BTW - you missed the point of this thread in assuming that it was "Telling folks to behave like decent people". i would have adviced you visit the site and have thorough read - started with implication of the organisation as alluded to the thread title - but giving your responses so far - i would assume that would be pointless.

[ElPunto]

Well when you have:

 

Mutual respect

‘An attitude of mutual respect needs to be promoted. “Treat humans with respect and love for they are either Muslims and your siblings in faith or non-Muslims and your siblings in creation.”’ (Ali)

I shouldn't be remiss if I intrepreted it to mean behave like decent people. What do you think is the point of your post and the larger organization? It seems to be yet another one of those 'community groups' that serve to feed off the naive generosity of the state. Hence the platitude filled list above.

 

Here's your opportunity to enlighten folks.

[SayidSomal]

^The point of this thread is quite simple - in a nut shell it is -

Imitation - bad

Innovation - good

 

but i don't expect you to understand.

[ElPunto]

^Why? Do you believe I'm incapable of understanding simplicity? Or are you alluding to something else?

 

How are they innovating when they post items like:

 

Us and them

‘Discourse within the Muslim community that disrespects fellow citizens needs to be tackled. Muslims must not perpetuate a dualistic perspective that sees a Muslim “us” and a non-Muslim “them”.’

I didn't know that above was original thinking. You know you don't have to defend a random website - there is no obligation on you unless you're connected to it somehow Then I won't let go with the probing questioning. I suspect there isn't much substance to this organization. At least none that you have been able to impart to me.

 

Slow day at work!

[SayidSomal]

you just proved my earlier assumptions - on the contrary - i am saying that the contents of the website and the name of the organisations are cheap imitations of other ideas and organisations of the past – with just hint of Islamic facade and twist of lemon.

 

indeed slow day at work for you.

 

have you ever heard of YMCA?

[ElPunto]

^So you posted to make fun of them?? War naga daa! You make it very hard to understand what it is you mean. I worry for your students.

 

Of course with the YMCA - a little brain freeze on my part although I was thinking about the song not the organization.

 

But why didn't you just say yes - pointless platitudes after my first post? Dhib jeclidaa. Must be a Qardho thing!

[SayidSomal]

yeah - in qardho brains do not freeze. where as Ottawa... i guess no blame there.

 

as for worrying for my students - i do too - example:

 

earlier today: 9 pupils - 6 books - you'll have to share.

 

Afghani boy: No sir, 8 people(S) - 1 girl.

 

do you get it?

[ElPunto]

^Sure - Teach!

 

I hope you didn't refer to him as Afghani. Afghani is their currency - the people are Afghans.

 

You still need work on brevity and clarity

[SayidSomal]

Pointless!

[ElPunto]

^As expected from a Qardhoite. Oddly enough rhymes with troglodyte.