In our previous discussion, we explored the unique challenges faced by Muslim families in Western societies. Now, we'll build upon those insights by presenting practical strategies for the Islamic community to engage with and address these challenges.
I will address this by responding to a letter from one of our brothers seeking guidance. He writes, “I relied on Allah and made the decision to emigrate. Yet, I am apprehensive about facing a new society, particularly for my children who are now adults, and for my only daughter, who is in university. I’m also concerned, as one of my friends has two daughters in their thirties who remain unmarried. I fear that by moving, I may inadvertently expose my family to risks or weaken their faith. At the same time, I am aware of inspiring families whose children remain deeply committed, even more so than many in our own Islamic societies. How can I best protect my children from the challenges they may face in the diaspora while nurturing their faith?”
In recent decades, immigration from Muslim-majority countries has risen significantly for various reasons. While I am not a jurist to discuss the permissibility of immigration, I would like to focus on:
“The core challenges faced by Muslim families in the diaspora”. May Allah grant us wisdom and success in this effort.
The primary challenge for Muslims living abroad is how to fully embrace and live out our faith with confidence and pride while engaging meaningfully in our new societies? This includes fostering a strong, positive Muslim identity within ourselves and our families, one that is resilient in the face of societal pressures. It’s about more than just performing acts of worship; it’s about cultivating an environment where our Islamic values and ethics naturally shape our relationships, interactions, and contributions to the community. To achieve this, our focus should be directed toward three essential pillars:
- Strengthening Inner Faith and Identity: Cultivate a profound understanding of Islam as an all-encompassing way of life rooted in love for Allah, compassion, and integrity. This involves educating children in a manner that connects them meaningfully to their faith through knowledge, reflection, and real-life experiences, fostering a strong sense of pride in their identity.
- Building Positive Relationships: Foster open and honest communication within the family to discuss the realities and opportunities of living in a multicultural society. Such dialogue equips children to engage confidently with different viewpoints while preserving their self-assurance and sense of identity.
- Contributing to Society with Ihsan (Excellence): Inspire each family member to actively participate in their community's social and political life, demonstrating values such as kindness, honesty, and reliability. By embodying these qualities, we not only reflect the true essence of Islam but also create opportunities to build bridges and foster positive impressions.
Our goal is to maintain a balance between preserving our Islamic identity and contributing proactively and positively to society. This approach not only safeguards our families from potential challenges but also enables them to flourish as beacons of Islamic values, serving as ambassadors of faith.
Engaging with the non-Muslim community while upholding Islamic principles means embracing beneficial opportunities and staying true to our values without being influenced by negative elements. Positive, ethical conduct, setting a good example, and unwavering adherence to Islamic teachings are crucial in this regard.
Muslim families must take deliberate steps to shield themselves from potentially harmful aspects of diaspora life. This involves nurturing closeness and resilience within the family unit, remaining firm in faith, and continually seeking Allah’s guidance and protection. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of religious integrity while fostering constructive relationships and mutual understanding with others. Always remember that Allah, the Almighty, is the ultimate protector and guide in all endeavors.
Allah the Almighty states: “Say: Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds (162), who has no partner. This is what I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims (163).” (Surah Al-An’am: 162-163).
A Muslim, when motivated by a sincere intention to seek the pleasure of Allah and uphold His message, can embody excellence in all facets of life. This includes demonstrating high moral standards, fostering positive relationships with neighbors, and actively contributing to social and voluntary endeavors. These actions should align with Islamic principles, transcending habits, customs, and traditions that do not harmonize with those values. In this way, a Muslim acts not only as a participant in society but as a beacon of faithfulness, showing that devotion to Allah brings forth compassion, diligence, and authentic engagement with the new community.
From my point of view, promoting such faithfulness means encouraging individuals to align their intentions and actions with their spiritual goals, ensuring that every effort contributes to holistic well-being while maintaining their core Islamic values.
- Ensuring a Sense of Belonging to the Muslim Community:
In diaspora countries, living within established Muslim communities provides significant benefits to individuals and families, supporting both spiritual and emotional well-being. These advantages include:
- Access to Masjids: Regular access to masjids enables participation in prayers and religious activities, strengthening one's connection to faith.
- Community Support: Collaborative networks within the community offer support in child-rearing and foster positive, enriching relationships.
- Ease of Social Connections: These communities facilitate social interactions, including meeting new people, finding potential marriage partners, and building strong, supportive networks.
- Islamic Environment: Social activities, such as community trips and gatherings, align with Islamic values and offer an environment free from influences that may contradict religious teachings.
- Sense of Pride: Being part of such a community nurtures Islamic identity and instills pride through shared religious and cultural heritage.
- Moral and Material Support: The community provides crucial assistance during challenging times, ensuring families have the necessary support systems.
Although living in these communities may sometimes require longer commutes or come with higher costs, the benefits often far outweigh these considerations. Choosing to live within a strong Muslim community can profoundly improve one’s quality of life and promote spiritual well-being. This sense of belonging positively impacts mental and emotional health, fostering a resilient and confident Islamic identity that thrives amidst external challenges.
- Housing Close to the Masjid:
The Masjid represents the center of Islamic social activities, serving as more than just a place for prayer. It is a hub for community gatherings, educational programs, and social support networks. The Masjid fosters unity and engagement through events, discussions, and activities that align with Islamic teachings, promoting a sense of belonging and shared values among community members. For families, it becomes a focal point for nurturing a strong Islamic identity and maintaining cultural and religious connections, which is particularly significant in diaspora settings.
It is highly recommended to prioritize living as close to the Masjid as possible and to regularly pray there. While some jurisprudential opinions suggest that attending the Masjid is an obligation for those living nearby, this is often discussed within the context of Muslim-majority countries, where even a small percentage of residents attending would fill the space. However, in diaspora communities, the situation is different. Actively attending and supporting the Masjid is essential to maintaining its vitality and presence.
Praying in the Masjid not only fosters a stronger connection to the community but also instills this practice in children, making it an integral part of their upbringing. By choosing housing near the Masjid and emphasizing participation in its activities, families contribute to the spiritual growth and cohesion of the community, ensuring that the Masjid remains a vibrant center for worship and communal support.
- Children and Islamic Center:
One of the most crucial methodologies for ensuring the safety and well-being of the new generation is raising them within the environment of an Islamic center, which serves as an ideal incubator for Islamic parenting. Islamic centers provide a nurturing space where children can develop strong religious and moral foundations, surrounded by positive influences that align with Islamic teachings. This environment supports holistic development, fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their faith.
Growing up in such an environment allows children to absorb essential Islamic values through structured activities, community events, and role models who embody the principles of compassion, respect, and responsibility. The support system offered by Islamic centers also helps parents reinforce these teachings at home, creating consistency in the child's upbringing. This approach is vital for building resilience and self-confidence in young Muslims, enabling them to navigate challenges while maintaining their Islamic identity and contributing positively to the wider society.
- Islamic school or home schools:
Public schools, while free, often present challenges that can be detrimental to nurturing an Islamic identity. Therefore, choosing an Islamic school is not merely an option but an essential measure to protect children from potentially harmful influences and to foster an educational environment that aligns with Islamic values. Islamic schools play a crucial role in shaping students' knowledge, culture, and pride in their religious identity, as well as promoting academic excellence and moral development.
However, due to limited support and financial constraints, Islamic schools may be beyond the means of many families. In such cases, I advocate for the formation of community groups to manage and organize home-schooling initiatives. These home schools can offer a tailored curriculum that upholds Islamic principles, allowing parents to collaborate in providing a well-rounded education that maintains religious and cultural integrity. This approach not only makes Islamic education more accessible but also strengthens communal bonds and shared responsibility for nurturing future generations.
In diaspora communities, the pursuit of enhanced material well-being often leads to Muslim women entering the workforce. While this can contribute to financial stability, it frequently results in unintended consequences. The strain of balancing work and home life can lead to a decline in marital relationships and family cohesion, with the absence of the mother having profound effects on children.
As an Islamic family counselor, I stress that a wife's employment should be a choice driven by necessity, specifically to meet basic needs, and should ideally be part-time and for a limited duration. This ensures that she can return to her most significant and demanding responsibility—nurturing and managing her home. Preserving the mother’s presence in the household is critical to maintaining a stable, loving, and spiritually grounded family environment.
The field doesn’t show the value of the Arabic language and that it is an essential component of the Islamic identity. As scientists say, language is the pot of religion, so care must be taken not to use the foreign language entirely at home, and to direct children not to use the language of the diaspora except for study or with foreigners only. Many Arabic YouTube channels teach Arabic language, Islamic history, and Muslims' scientific contributions, through cartoons to scientific lectures and in proportion to the different ages of the children.
- Participation in Islamic social activities:
Beyond the role of the masjid, the Islamic Center serves as a hub for a variety of cultural, social, scientific, and sports activities. It is vital for Muslims to actively engage in these activities, contributing either financially or through administrative support. Such participation fosters a sense of belonging and reinforces the individual's role as an integral part of the community. This engagement not only bolsters the presence and influence of Islam within the diaspora but also strengthens the practice of da'wah (the call to Islam), benefiting both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Involvement in these community activities fulfills more than a social or religious duty; it addresses deep psychological needs by reinforcing a sense of purpose, identity, and connection. Active participation helps Muslims cultivate resilience and pride, essential in navigating the challenges of life in the diaspora. It also serves as a model of positive interaction and collaboration, showcasing Islam's principles of unity, generosity, and social responsibility. Through meaningful involvement, Muslims demonstrate the values of compassion, cooperation, and dedication, inviting others to understand and appreciate the teachings of Islam.
This sense of shared purpose strengthens emotional and mental well-being, building community cohesion and fostering relationships that are vital for psychological health. It also enables Muslims to be ambassadors of their faith, embodying the values of peace, inclusivity, and the common good, and fostering trust and respect among broader society.
- Empowering Islamic Centers in the Diaspora: Building Bridges through Community Engagement
Islamic centers in the diaspora play a pivotal role in promoting active engagement within the community’s social fabric. To make a meaningful impact, these centers should embrace a diverse range of activities—spanning social, sports, political, cultural, and scientific endeavors—while preserving and promoting an authentic Islamic identity. This active participation enriches the broader society and opens channels for meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. Through these efforts, Islamic centers can:
- Showcase the True Essence of Islam: Counter misconceptions and stereotypes by exemplifying Islam’s teachings of peace, compassion, and justice.
- Highlight the Value of Women in Islam: Emphasize generally sex equality and according to the differentiation of each sex there is a specific and vital role for each sex in family and society.
- Commit to Environmental and Social Responsibility: Reinforce that environmental care and social responsibility are fundamental aspects of Islamic principles.
- Foster Understanding and Dialogue: Offer clear, thoughtful responses to common questions about Islam, creating spaces for open and honest discussions.
- Build Connections with Non-Muslim Communities: Promote mutual respect and understanding through bridge-building initiatives.
- Serve as a Platform for Shared Experiences: Create opportunities for Muslims to share their stories, including challenges and achievements.
- Empower Active Community Involvement: Encourage Muslims to be engaged, contributing members of their broader communities.
- Instill a Sense of Belonging in Youth: Foster identity and pride among young Muslims, crucial for their development and confidence.
By adopting this proactive approach, Islamic centers can become beacons of hope, guidance, and unity, reflecting Islam’s inherent beauty and wisdom.
Moreover, these activities meet a vital psychological need by enhancing the community's sense of belonging and self-worth, essential for mental and emotional health. They build resilience and cultural pride, enabling the community to withstand the external pressures often faced in diaspora settings. Outreach efforts help bridge gaps, foster trust, and create an environment that demonstrates how Islamic values align with universal human principles like peace, mutual respect, and the common good.
Conclusion:
Finally, empowering Muslim Families: A Community-Led Approach
- Establish support networks: Create forums for families to share experiences, receive guidance, and find solidarity.
- Cultural sensitivity training: Educate community leaders and members on the nuances of Western cultures and their impact on Muslim families.
- Youth programs: Develop initiatives that cater to the needs of young Muslims, fostering identity formation and resilience.
- Interfaith dialogue: Encourage open communication with non-Muslim communities to promote understanding and cooperation.
- Family counseling services: Provide access to culturally sensitive counseling, addressing mental health and relationship concerns.
Together, let's work towards creating a supportive and vibrant Muslim community in the West."
Allah is the Arbiter of Success
--------------------------------
Dr. Yehia Othman
Marital Relationship and Family Counselor
+1(416)997-4377
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
===============
Sources
- Narrator: Abu Huraira| Updater : Muslim | Source : Sahih Muslim, page or number : 145 | Summary of the updated verdict:
