SX43%LIVERPOOL.AC.UK@EVANS.UCAR.EDU (11/23/90)
Salaam. Here is an article from a newsletter I havent mentioned till now.
Relevant subscription details are included for brother Rached to add to
his list, insha-Allah.
The banner is very good, and free to boot. But you guys over the
water will no doubt have to cough up the air-mail if you wanna
subscribe !
Take care,
Fazal.
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Topic : Sorry state of Dawah effort in UK, with hints on
how to remedy the situation.
Title : 'Islam is the fastest growing religion'
Source : The Islamic Banner Oct/Nov 1990, p10.
Organisation : Muslim Youth Foundation
Contact : MYF, Floor 4
Clydesdale House,
27 Turner Street,
Manchester M4 1DY.
England, UK.
Price : No charge, excluding postage.
Frequency : Bi-Monthly (?)
ISLAM IS THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION.
=====================================
The statement :- 'Islam is the fastest growing religion in the
west' is often used and is probably true. The reason for the rapid
growth in the number of Muslims in Europe has not been due to the Dawah
efforts of the Muslim community, but simply because the muslims have one
of the highest birthrates. The sad fact is that Islam has hardly begun
to scratch the surface of the native Western population. In the case of
this country [Britain --FRE], which has a population of 56.9 million
(1987), there are approximately 15000 'white' muslims who represent only
0,026% of the 'white' community. Considering the last 30-year period,
during which the present 1.5 Million muslims have settled, it means that
on average, one 'white' person comes to Islam every day. Compare this
with eighteen hundred births each day, and seventeen hundred deaths each
day, for the UK as a whole, the results of the call to Islam on 'white'
citizens can be better described as an occasional drip rather than a
raging torrent.
This is a very precarious situation. A rapidly-growing muslim
community, which does not include significant numbers of the 'host'
community, may lead to a 'Ghetto' effect. This may be seen very clearly
in France where the increase in te numbers of muslims is being mirrored
by the increase in extremist right wing racism --the word muslim being
synonymous with being colored. When watching TV or reading the
newspapers in this country, about muslims, the stereotyped image of
muslim as being a terrorist or a backward foreigner, who cant speak
English, is always presented. This imaged is specifically designed to
alienate the Muslims even more from the native people, by showing
muslims as extremist, downright nasty, horrible people who are far from
the truth.
So how do we change the situation ? Well, Dawah in its purest
form begins and ends with your own personal example. If you wish to call
people to Islam, success lies with your being seen to be a kind,
friendlym helpful person rather than just one who hands out leaflets.
The most effective way of giving Dawah is simply to invite people to
your homes, let them share your food, and talk to them. Find that
non-muslim whom you see every day, and invite him/her back to your
houese for the evening meal. I can assure you that it will work wonders.
One of my friends and his wife (may Allah bless them both) took
boxes of sweets during Eid-ul-Fitr and gave them to every non-muslim
neighbour on the street, saying, "Hello ! My name is ....., we are your
neighbours from just down the road. We are muslims, and today is a
special day for us : it is the end of Ramadhan. To celebrate this day,
we give sweets and presents to all our relatives, friends, and
neighbours, so we have a little gift for you." As you can imagine, these
people were completely overcome with the kindness that was shown. To
them the word 'Muslim' conjures upnice thoughts and happy memories. Now
that is REAL Dawah.
The most important thing about giving Dawah is that the person
you are talking to must trust you, that way s/he will listen with an
open mind, to anything that you have to say. This trust comes only after
a friendship exists between the two of you. Only then will s/he open his
heart to you. Most non-muslims who come to Islam do so because they are
impressed with an individual's character and lifestyle, rather than by
reading something about Islam. It is a fact that, on the whole,
practising muslims are seen to be nicer people in comparison with the
rest of society.
In conclusion, don't leave Dawah to the Imams and the Dawah
organisations only. Remember : we do live in a Kufr society, led by a
Kufr government; yet there are many individuals who live in this country
who are desperately seeking the peace and serenity of Islam, yet nobody
has told them about it.
Julian.