Archive of President's Messages
Our Priorities
by Hussein Ata
Through the blessings of Allah, our community is rapidly growing, and our needs are changing accordingly. This is the normal process for all communities and nations. Growing occurs through stages with each stage presenting its own needs and priorities, and our community is no exception to this rule. We look back at how prophet Muhammad (SAW) started the message of Islam in Mecca, then migrated to Medina, and finally spread the message throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Each stage had its own priorities, goals and objectives to build the perfect society and Ummah.
As we continue to grow, we face tremendous challenges, not only to maintain this growth but to protect our survival. Unless we take a hard look and make sure we choose the correct priorities we may look back in a few years and regret our failure. If we ask ourselves about priorities, we have a long list, including our youth, family, social and economical issues, among many others. But most of us tend to forget about the number one priority of protecting our existence as Muslims and maintaining our religious rights. It is true that we, in the United States, enjoy more freedom, and our rights are protected to a certain extent compared to other countries, including Arab and Muslim countries. The question is: how long will this last?
We do not have to go back far to see how our existence is greatly threatened. Since the event of 9/11 and the patriot act, the closure of many of Islamic charities, prosecution of many of the Muslim activists, and wire tapping, we can easily see where we are headed. The latest congressional election produced republican Pete King as the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, the same man who stated there are too many Mosques in the US and he would hold hearings for the Mosques and its leadership.
All indicators show that we will be facing increased scrutiny of our affairs and a decrease in our freedom and religious rights. Unless we take a hard stand and pour most of our resources, both human and financial, in changing this trend we will not survive. Look at the case of the UCC, "unindicted co-conspirators," where members of the community spent a great deal of effort to stand against this injustice and succeeded in revoking the ruling. The impact of this success is tremendous and sends a clear message to the justice system for future and similar cases. Another example is the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) case where the justice system failed and members of our community and its leadership are paying the price. What are we doing to fight this battle? This case, just like many other similar cases, is not about the organization or individuals; rather it is about our rights and existence. If we stand by and watch, the message will be that we are weak, helpless and an easy target. On the other hand, if we take a stand for our rights at least we send the message that we will not go down easily, to perhaps make people think twice before attacking our rights.
We watch the events in Palestine, Kashmir and other Muslim countries and we cry and become very emotional. We collect hundreds of thousands to help our brothers and sisters, which is indeed honorable and noble. But that is only a Band-Aid fix and soon may become forbidden as the law of the land changes. Yet when it comes to collecting money to support cases such as the HLF and others, we hold back. We watch our rights being taken away as if we do not care or there is nothing we can do.
We must understand that we have to help ourselves so we can help others. Without forgetting about the Muslims around the world, we must focus on our priorities here in the US. Our financial and human resources must be dedicated mostly to protect our rights and freedom so we may be able to help others. We have to believe that if we can make a difference here we will have a bigger impact in helping others. When we are asked to give and donate in support of organizations and projects in the US and within our communities we have to answer the call. Our community must understand that even though having our children become doctors and engineers is good, it is a must that the next Muslim generation includes the politicians, civil rights activists, lawyers, journalists and media leaders. We must encourage our bright students to direct their attention to the most pressing needs of our communities. There are plenty of doctors and engineers. Where are the journalists and civil rights leaders? Where are the TV and radio anchors and commentators? Has our community established a scholarship and the means for those who have interest in these areas?
May Allah guide us to what pleases Him and help us make the correct decisions.