A Brainstorming Session on Muslims “Contributing to the Change”
Participants in the brainstorming seminar entitled “Contributing to the Change”
Chicago: In the backdrop of President Obama’s initiative to reach out to the Muslim community in the US and around the world, a large number of activists gathered together on March 7, 2009 for a political brainstorming seminar entitled “Contributing to the Change” on the invitation of Dr. Abidullah Ghazi, executive director of IQRA’ International Educational Foundation and president of World Council for Muslim Interfaith Relations, USA.
The purpose of the seminar was multifold: mapping strategies on how Muslim-Americans can respond to the president’s initiative; what Muslim-Americans should expect as far as the government addressing their concerns; and, what policies the government should adopt towards wider Muslim world. Ideas discussed in this seminar ranged from Muslims taking their own initiative to open interfaith dialogues to establishing reading rooms, research centers and educational institutions for the larger community.
The inauguration of the World Council for Muslim Interfaith Relations/USA Chapter (WCMIR USA), was the high point of the seminar. The WCMIR endeavors to resolve interfaith and intercultural tension on both global and neighborhood levels through dialogue and interchange. While participants understood that dialogue must continue on through the Obama administration's term and beyond, they came out with specific plans of action for the Muslim-American community for the creation of fiscal fair dealing, religious tolerance and communal harmony.
Speaking to the audience president of the WCMIR, Dr. Abidullah A. Ghazi, stated that “from the Declaration of Independence to President Obama’s promise of change we find echoes of the Qur’anic verse, ‘Never will Allah change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves.’” He appreciated the various dimensions of the campaign promises of President Obama and the promptness in which he is trying to honor them. Dr. Ghazi urged community leaders to show their appreciation of the president’s efforts and to let any differences that may arise be addressed in a responsible manner.
Dr. Irfan Ahmed Khan, the founder of WCMIR explained his motive for establishing the organization: “Being a Muslim means being a well-wisher to humanity. The Qur’an invites all human beings who believe in trust, peace and socio-economic justice to work together.”
Dr. Wasilluah Khan, chancellor of East-West University stated in his address that “the best way to present ourselves to Western society is to sincerely follow the Sirah [life] of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and to be proactive, not reactive, to the challenges of the society in which we live.”
Methods of being proactive were mentioned by Dr. Tasneema K. Ghazi, co-founder of IQRA’ International Educational Foundation, with her all-inclusive plan of Islamic education for America, which she said has the potential to reach communities around the world.
The other speakers included Dr. Marcia Hermansen, professor of theology at Loyola University; Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, an associate professor at the University of Chicago; Dr. Ahmedullah Siddiqi, professor of journalism and public relations at Western Illinois University; and Dr. Ashraf Toor and Dr. Mujahid Ghazi, both community activists, who moderated the day-long event.
The attendees of the seminar appreciated IQRA’s and WCMIR’s proposal and concurred to maintain dialogue regarding President Obama and the change he has promised to bring to this country.
The transcripts of each speaker’s address from the March 7 th political seminar will be available online at www.iqrafoundation.com as soon as possible.
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