Survey: Problems of the Ummah
Lets get a discussion started on a seemingly simple query:
What do you think the problems of the Ummah, at the macroscopic and microscopic level, are?
You can respond either in the comments or on your respective blogs.
Sphere: Related ContentPublished December 15, 2007 . Filed under: The Islamic Revival
Posts
Domination of many Muslim economies by just one product (oil).
December 16, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
How would you propose amending that problem?
December 16, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
Women. My sisters, your sisters.
Truth: Our women in USA and abroad are OPPRESSED. This is serious. Muslims have to first admit that to themselves before they can fix it.
Patriarchy has hijacked Islam.
Even the most modern, Amercan Muslim men when it comes to women morph into Fred Flinstone. It’s ridiculous and if it’s not fixed one of many things happen. For example:
1) women leave islam
2) they start marrying non-Muslim men
3) become cultural Muslims only
on and on…
I think we have a serious problem on our hands.
December 18, 2007 @ 3:13 am
In what ways are they oppressed? What do you think the fundamental causes of these oppressions are? What types of solutions would you propose?
(I’m trying to get a dialogue going)
December 18, 2007 @ 3:49 am
1. In many ways, it depends on the place, either physically or emotionally or mentally.
They often get the horrible end of the laws in Muslim countries etc…
In some places its fgm, in others its honor killings, domestic violence etc. In others its not being allowed to go to a mosque or something. I know these things are not limited to Muslims but many Muslims are suffering from it I know it sounds so orientalist to bring this stuff up but if we don;t admit to to our problems, how will they be solved?
2. The blurring of culture with Islam. There’s honestly nothing wrong with a more traditional culture. But when the culture starts to take precedence over the religion and gender justice then we have a problem on our hands.
3. well one solution would be not letting this stuff transport over to America. If we can’t change what’s going on abroad then at least we shouldn’t let people bring these ideas here.
These are very incomplete thoughts but just a starter.
Do you think any of these things are a problem?
December 19, 2007 @ 7:17 am
Khadija,
No, I totally agree with you regarding the nature of the problem. We have serious issues regarding domestic violence and the denial of fair access to the Masjid in our communities.
I think the solution is probably ‘ilm and tasawwuf. Even the person with the most basic intelligence knows not to beat his wife or children. The underlying cause seems to be the lack of self-restraint and submitting to one’s anger.
In terms of access to Masajid, this is a little more tricky for where fiqh meets reality. For many madhaib, its usually obligatory for men to perform certain acts of worship in the Masjid (congregational worship, jumah, Eidh, etc). Some Masajid don’t allow women to attend due to lack of space. They give higher priority to men because its obligatory for them to worship in the Masjid under certain occasions whereas women can pray at home, jum’ah is not obligatory upon them, and neither is Eidh. So I think there’s a decent fiqh argument to defend women not attending the Masjid due to lack of space. However, some Masajid seem to engage in discrimination against women and don’t want them in the Masjid at all, and I think thats a denial of their rights.
December 19, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
I would also say that another problem regarding women in our community is a complete lack of intellectuals and scholars. Where are our modern day Nana Asmau’s? Why are we producing Irshad Manjis, Asra Nomanis, Nonie Darwishes, etc? Where are our vocal traditional sisters at who have enough command of aqeedah, fiqh, and Western knowledge to debunk the arguments propounded by the heterodox?
December 19, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
How would you propose amending that problem?
When I think about it in more detail, I can understand why pan-Islamism is so attractive - for example, can Saudi Arabia ever have a decent source of income other than oil or Hajj?
December 19, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Jinnzaman,
Even i there may be a decent fiqh argument to defend women not attending masajid, that does more harm than good especially in the USA.
So I do agree with you in an ideal situation we have to make do with what we have. We do not live in a Muslim country. In Egypt I was on a camel in the pyramids and I could hear a khutba. Some women hear the khutba anyway, I dunno. For some women and converts here, jumuah might be their ONLY exposure to anything Islamic for the week. For cultural Muslims, not going means not connecting with people like Irshad Manji.
In USA in my opinion we need to make an effort to include women even though it’s not fard for them to go. let’s make do with the little space we have. And if there really honestly is no way the women could get in for jumuah, why not other mosque activities?
This attitude like well let’s sacrifice the women since we really don’t have room is what is creating what you call the irshad manjis etc.
So the person might be completely sincere in saying hey there’s no speace for women but that has repercussions that we in America can’t afford in my opinion. The more women are sacrificed when it comes to Islamic classes and programs and being involved in the mosques, the less religious the majority of them will become.
For me wearing hijab was first inspired by a khutba. For me, my life as muslim changed drastically from when I wasn’t and then started frequenting jumuah. It can make that much of a difference. If women don’t feel included they won’t want to feel involved.
So again while I agree with your fiqh stuff, I think we need to change the way we think about things and adapt it to what we’re facing.
In USA, we’re not getting any Nana Asmaus’ if we can’t even let our women in the mosque. Like I said, this is not a Muslim country where it is somewhat normal that women don’t frequent mosques.
December 19, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
About the vocal traditional sisters…we have a few gems but we need more.
I think that traditional Islam seems or is unaccessible to many people that don’t have money or that aren’t with one of the “in” crowds like Kharabsheh in Jordan or Zaytuna etc…
December 19, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Those are important considerations and I agree with your assessment.
I’m still not sure if I think its a major problem in our community though. In mine, I think women are fairly decently accommodated. I’ve never heard of women being denied access to a religious event. I’ve heard of separate cultural or political events, but not for daily ibadah. I’ve heard complaints about not being able to see the Imam or quarters being cramped. I think the solution to that is to build Masajid in a manner that enables women to see the imam such as using one-way mirrors.
I wonder if their are any polls or surveys on this issue.
Alternatively, why not create a separate Masjid or Islamic center solely for women sort of how like our brothers and sisters in China?
December 19, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
George,
Other than oil, what other resources or products can the Muslim world produce at this point? How does one amend decades of neglect and underdevelopment?
The Gulf states seem to be trying to develop their economies, but by importing labor from other parts of the world and not integrating those people, they’re shooting themselves in the foot.
A Pan-Islamic state would have a much greater chance of creating a stable economy in the Muslim world then the present system, no?
December 19, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
macroscopic: poverty
microscopic: malaria, viral hepatitis, streptococcus pneumoniae, cancer
December 19, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
What do you propose to solve these problems, especially the on regarding poverty?
December 20, 2007 @ 12:00 am
How does one amend decades of neglect and underdevelopment?
I think it’s worse than that - isn’t the root problem that most of the Muslim world is DESERT?
I wonder if gigantic solar power plants could be set up there (either to sell electricity to other countries, or to power desalination plants to allow an increase in food production)?
December 30, 2007 @ 8:15 am
I’m sure its physically possible to do this, but the underlying issue is how to make it economically efficient so that the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefit. I mean, all of that oil money in the gulf states could be used for massive economic development and an integrated economy… if there was a unified political order to push for it.
December 30, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Salams!
Well, at macroscopic level, I believe a lacking of a coherent unification of Muslim countries at OIC is an issue. While the creation of standing committees and organs is commendable, its pretty much meaningless if only just a few countries contribute and others remain ignorant to it. Everyone MUST get involved.
There are Science and Technology policies being implemented in Muslim countries for a decade or two, but most are at national level. A better way would be a more Ummatic cooperation about the S&T policies that would benefit everyone else too.
Mr George has pointed out about oil. The Mid East countries dependence on petroleum resources may be a double edged sword.
Alhamudulliah, it is a great gift from Him. Unfortunately, we humans have the capacity to misuse it. If the benefits of oil is limited geographically and meaning (typically $$$), then the rest of the Muslim world would not benefit.
Some possible solutions include investing the money in Ummatic level projects. I suppose the “knowledge” cities that are sprouting out in the ME is a step forward as long as the whole Muslim world benefits from them. Also, investment in alternative primary industries can ensure the stability of the Ummah’s economy in the future. Some examples of current R&D include Biotechnology, Medicine and Agriculture.
Another use from oil that it can be used is for foreign policy. If America can impose their will around the world with economic and military might, the Muslims can use oil to defend themselves. This would be useful thing to do as long as the oil reserves are there. Why not take the advantage?
Thats my thoughts, for now.
January 1, 2008 @ 3:54 am
el-wahan.
already proved through hadeeth.
January 18, 2008 @ 4:55 am