Transcript Creativity Session

Secular Versus Islamic
Interplay of Various Parameters
A.S. Hashim
Secular Versus Islamic
What kind of World?
1. Physical:
a. Limited
b. Temporary
2. Spiritual:
a. Unlimited
b. Permanent
3. Mixed as Physical and
Spiritual
Secular Versus Islamic
Development of the Self
Within a few months of birth
Grows in family
Grows further in school and community
Sees differences in:
Being Religious or Secular
Behavior and Customs
Family Status
Secular Versus Islamic
To Pursue
Depending on:
1. his genetics and
2. environmental Influence
a person can Pursue:
1. Secular Course
2. Spiritual Course
3. A Mixture of Partly Secular and Partly Spiritual of
Variable Proportion
Secular Versus Islamic
As a Consequence
1. The Path Taken Can be an Incentive:
a. to flourish and
b. innovate
2. But the Path Can be Negative:
a. Harmful and Damaging, and
b. Lead to Tyranny and Abuse of Power
Secular Versus Islamic
Secular Identity
1. Built on Self-Interest
a.
b.
c.
d.
Motivation is Selfish
Greedy Demands
Can Lead to Power Overindulgence
May Lead to Corruption
2. Deals Indifferently with Various Faiths:
a. Religion is a Dilemma, Treated Lightly
b. Nationality Supersedes Other Identities
c. Appointing People of Dubious Character
Secular Versus Islamic
Islamic Identity
1.
2.
3.
Deals with Psychological Framework
Very Basic and Fundamental
If it is Islamic:
a. Belief Mandating Good Behavior
b. Less Corruption
c. Motivation is for Personal Integrity )‫(العدل‬
4.
Deals Tolerantly with Various Faiths:
a. Secularism is a Dilemma, Discouraged
b. Nationality Accepted
c. Appointing People of Good Character
Secular Versus Islamic
Before the Seventies
1. Islamicly:
a. Marginalized
b. Moving Toward Secularism
2. Secular Powers:
a. Superceding Other Identities
b. Alliances with Other Powers to Rule
3. People:
a. Murmuring in Discontent
b. Scared to Express their Islamic Alienation
Secular Versus Islamic
By the Seventies
1. A Man of Remarkable Courage Spoke out
a. Awakened the Dormant Islamic Identity
b. Persisted in his Call for the Magnificent Change
c. Suffered Personally and in his Family
2. The Call Awakened the Religious Spirit in:
a. His Country
b. Regionally
c. World-Wide
Secular Versus Islamic
Focused on Islamic Identity
1. Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or Sunni
2. Educate yourself about your Conviction
3. Focus on the Upcoming Generation
4. Express yourself with Conviction and Vigor
5. Talk with Confidence and with Pride
Secular Versus Islamic
The Effect:
Like a Volcano:
a. The Call Triumphed Over Secularism
b. Established a Proud and Stable Administration
c. Induced High Religious and National Pride
Like a mountain:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Resisted Local Attacks: The Press or Otherwise
Undid War Against Islam
Withstood World Press Attacks
Moved Forward to Enhance the Country
Secular Versus Islamic
Spillover Influence
Locally: The Country of Origin
Regionally: Middle East
World-Wide: Mainly the West
Washington Area: Potomac Maryland
Secular Versus Islamic
Statistics as of 1996:
SHI’A ……………………………………… …..…….. 282 Millions
SUNNI
Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Millions
Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Millions
Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Millions
Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Millions
Secular Versus Islamic
1. Local Influence
Pride in Islam and Islamic Doctrine
Systematically Improving the Lot of Citizens
Tolerated the Complaining Shi’a:
Explosion of Islamic Information
Shi’a are a Complaining People by Nature
Shi’a are Crying-Happy People
Shi’a are Self-Hitting and Chest Beating People
Secular Versus Islamic
2. Middle-East Influence
Coming back to Islam
Attempts to better understand Islam
Polarization of the Islamic versus the
secular powers
The Media of regional Areas bundle up
Against him
Secular Versus Islamic
3. Global Influence
The World Responded Gradually
Awakening of the Deep Religious Feelings
Extremes Could Show up, Understandable
World Denies him his Due Worth
The World Refuses to Acknowledge his
Influence
Politically: He Stood Unmovable
Religiously: Steadfast and Resolute
Secular Versus Islamic
4. Washington Area: Potomac
The IEC is initiated, registered, and
incorporated
IEC Bought the Property
Mostazafan Foundation buys the IEC
IEC grows steadily, nourished by the new
Islamic Fervor
Despite the Ups and Downs, IEC Continues
to Grow Steadily
Secular Versus Islamic
IEC holds on Heritage
Ghadeer Khum
Ashuraa
Ramadhan Du’aas )Supplications(
Celebration of Birthdays of the Prophet and the 12
Imams
Haj Services and Visitations of the Shrines
Reading special Du’aas )Supplications( at different
occasions.
Secular Versus Islamic
IEC Remembers Al-Baaqir
"By Allah our Shi'a is: he who obeys Allah, is
pious, and upright. He
obeys Allah, is pious, and upright.
Our Shi'a are recognized for their modesty,
humility, excessive worship, frequent
offering of Salat, observance of fast,
and they honor their parents.
Our Shi'a care for neighbors, the
disadvantaged, the needy, the indebted,
and the orphans,
Our Shi'a always speak the truth, recite the
Holy Quran, hold their tongue against
speaking ill of others, and
Our Shi'a are trustworthy in all matters of
social and spiritual relationship.
‫وهللا ما شيعتنا إالّ من إتقى هللا‬
‫وأطاعه‬
‫ُعرفون إالّ بالتواضع‬
َ ‫وما كانوا ي‬
‫والتخشع وأداء أألمانة وكثر ِة ذِكر هللا‬
‫والصوم والصالة‬
‫والبرِّ بالوالدين وتعهُّد الجيران م َن‬
‫الفقراء وذوي ال َمسْ كن ِة والغارمين‬
‫واأليتام وصِ دق الحديث وتالوة القرآن‬
‫وكفِّ األلسن عن الناس إال من خير‬
Secular Versus Islamic
IEC and Cultural Identity
Hold to your ways but be discerning
Make effort to befriend people of your
nationality
Be friendly to Americans
Explain your ways with pride to Americans
Frequent and consistent visits to Islamic
Centers
Secular Versus Islamic
IEC and Nationalistic Identity
Speak your language with parents
Teach children Arabic as well as your own
language
Celebrate your usual national holidays
Attend meetings catering to your national
aspirations
Secular Versus Islamic
IEC Recognizes opportunity in America
The US is your host country that gives you
freedom of expression and work opportunity
As its guest you ought to:
respect the ways fit for the Americans, but
keep your ways intact and sound
Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of
your goals and aims
Secular Versus Islamic
The Explosion of Influence
Because of His:
Vision
Courage
Tenacity
Obstinacy
Splendid Dedication
Who is This Man?
Secular Versus Islamic
Who is This Man?
Saddam Hussein
Imam Ali
Imam Al-Husain
Khumaini
The Shah
Haroon Al-Rasheed
Khoe
Sistani
Secular Versus Islamic
THANK YOU
Be in Allah’s Care
Dr. A.S. Hashim