Al-Huda
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 5/120
Newsletter for August 2011
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
These are the first words that cross an average American’s mind
when they hear the word “Islam”. It has been almost ten years
since the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centers in New
York. The status of Muslims in the West took an immediate twist
since then.
The world’s focus on Islam, extremism, and violence has
surpassed that of any other political topic. At any given
moment, if an individual in the West flips through random media
channels, they’re bound to find one anchor speaking about a
particular incident involving an “Islamic Extremist” who killed
a few innocent people. What have Muslims done since 9/11 to
relay the correct image of Islam to the West? Where are the
voices of Muslim speakers, politicians, scholars, and
journalists?
Despite the fact that many Muslims are actively speaking out
against terrorism and violence, scores of Americans are not
adequately informed about the proper teachings of Islam. For
every Muslim journalist who speaks out and condemns religious
extremism, ten or so fanatics tarnish the image. This excessive
ideology creates a serious issue for Muslims living in the
United States. Our goal is to continue giving the correct
impression of Islam to Non-Muslims, yet we are challenged. There
is a lack of enough information in Western media that portrays
Islam according to its true teachings. Media has always been and
will continue to be the most prominent tool in relaying
information to the masses.
After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue the path
of journalism and media for two main reasons. The first is that
this is something I have an interest in; conveying the true
message of Islam gives me tranquility. The second reason is that
the Muslim journalists are the poets that the Arabs were 1400
years ago in Makkah, now the capital of Saudi Arabia. These
poets conveyed messages to the people and their word was
dominant and mighty. In other words, they were the media of
their time. The media of the twenty-first century is what
influences mankind. Media barons proofread, edit, and publish
based on what the people want to hear.
In order to impact an entire nation, the media must all be
presented in a similar manner. If enough news stations vocalize
ideological incidents consistently, then psychologically,
people’s minds will become accustomed to that. Most of them will
not question such “reliable” and daily sources. Similarly, if
enough Muslim journalists cover the news and present it to
national residents on a constant or near-constant basis, then
their word will be heard and more Americans will contemplate on
the global matters being discussed all the time. People are not
stereotypical by nature, nor are they born prejudice. These
traits develop and in the twenty-first century, they are at
their climax. The Muslim journalists (as well as the Non-Muslim
ones) who are combating the distorted image of Islam with an
accurate one need more assistance and need to be heard better.
I want to be a journalist to help these few activists change the
way Islam is perceived by the West, especially America, through
advanced methods, such as the television. Other than television,
one of the most influential ways to send a message to the world
is through the Internet. Since 9th grade, when I began and
completed the memorization of the Holy Quran, I took an interest
in my religion beyond parental expectations. I opened YouTube
channels for Muslims and Non-Muslims; I joined forums, took
Islamic Studies courses, and became active in my community. I
began leading the prayers at the mosque and giving Friday
sermons. But I realized that Internet aside, there was a key
reason that Americans weren’t completely informed of Islam. That
key is the English language.
Praise be to God, I was raised learning multiple languages until
secondary education, when knowledge became my responsibility. I
realized throughout those high school years that the most vital
key to bringing Islam to non-Muslim friends was proper
translation and communication of everyday Muslim rituals,
actions, and teachings. My English improved greatly over a few
years and I completed my first novel at the age of 14. My poetry
was published after winning a school-wide competition in an
internationally-sold book. Later that year, I became the student
President and ran the school’s newsletter,
The Spectator.
It was my job to find ideas for each week’s print of 100
newsletters, as well as to actually edit and finalize all
articles. This helped strengthen my language as well as develop
my sense of free writing. At this point, English became my
preferred language.
Without proper language, there is no proper communication.
Without proper communication, there is misunderstanding and
distortion. I strongly believe the most effective means of
countering Islamophobia is with powerful, direct language that
attacks the core of inaccuracies. Meanwhile, more Muslim youth
entering the fields of journalism, communications, and English
should be trained by experienced journalists and commentators.
There simply are not enough opportunities for youth, especially
Muslim youth, to be trained and brought into the playing field.
Doing so will give future generations of Muslims a stronger
grasp on how to direct the news properly while maintaining a
constant resource of anti-Islamophobia. Furthermore, Muslim
media such as
The Muslim Observer,
one of the best (if not the best) news sources, need to reach
out to youth in order to build that future generation that will
help keep Muslims in America debating actively all open
discussions and policies. As you very well know, the pen is more
valorous than the sword. The might of the pen, the spoken words,
are what influence the masses. To win a war, you do not need to
kill your enemies; you need to convince them with the power of
eloquence and truth. I personally would love to work for a
Muslim media network; being active, debating, and spreading the
accurate teachings of Islam gives me pleasure. However, at the
moment, I’m completely immersed with other matters.
I am now attending University full-time while trying to balance
a life of part-time work, community events, web-baseddiscussions
about religion, and seeking knowledge. I’m currently intending
to pursue a degree in Journalism or English, with a minor in
Psychology or Computer Science. At 19 years old, I have
completed more than two years towards my degree and initially
intended to finish in early 2011. Unfortunately, my father’s
business was robbed and this tightened my school budget, as well
as my time. I now have to work double the hours to help the
family with bills and even then it isn’t enough. But all praise
is due to God, who blessed us in the first place with all that
we had. I will still attempt to take a few courses in the next
few years, when I am given a chance to pay for a course or two.
Any and all funds from sources such as scholarships and side
business will help me immensely, and I will always be grateful
for that. Being helped at a time of need is a feeling that can
never be forgotten; similarly, the valor of the pen in a world
of swords shall never be forgotten.
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