On People With No Reflection

By: Nadirah Agail
YRAC Editor/Journalist

Picture this: You’re walking down the street, trying desperately to get to your destination on time, and a homeless man asks “Could you spare some change so I could get something to eat?” You know you have a few singles and some change in your wallet, but you need that for the meter and to buy snacks. You don’t want to tell the man “No.” (That would just feel rude.) So, instead, you quicken your pace and try not to make eye contact. It’s less awkward that way.

There are other times when you can and do spare change, but let’s focus on today’s interaction (or lack there of). You didn’t ignore the man to be mean. You’re not a mean person. You did it because you felt bad about not honoring his request; so, rather than look him in the face and admit that you’re not going to help, you avoided the situation entirely. This is your logic. It’s been mine, too. Not anymore.

I’ve taken no official polls, but from simple observation, it seems fair to say that most people ignore the homeless. Regardless of our reasons for doing this, it has the same detrimental result. Every interpersonal interaction we share- be it pleasant or hostile, significant or brief- works to fulfill the basic human needs of confirmation and validation. It confirms that we are in fact human and validates that we are worthy of recognition. Our friends, family members and associates are more than just support and social networks. They are the shiny surfaces that constantly reflect our images, letting us know that we’re still human, still accepted, still here.

Most of us never think this deeply about our interactions, because they’re plentiful and adequate. Imagine if they weren’t. Imagine if you woke up one day and could find no one to respond to you. At first you’d think it was joke, some type of prank they were all in on. No big deal. If it continued, though, you’d really start to doubt your sanity. “Don’t they see me? Can’t they hear me? I’m right here!” With no one providing a reflection, it wouldn’t take long for us to begin to doubt our own existence.

And we wonder why so many homeless people have mental health issues. Not that there aren’t other significant factors to consider, but our consistent disregard of their humanity– of their severe need for recognition–surely contributes to the formation of mental instability. Regardless of if we realize it or not, every time we ignore them and silently walk by, the big, bellowing message we deliver is “You don’t exist!,” as if we are the ones worthy of removing the right to life.

Maybe I’m being dramatic. Maybe I’m making you feel bad. That is not my intention, but we have to look at what we’re doing. Newborn babies can’t even survive without human stimulation and touch. Young children become mentally stunted and have problems acquiring language skills if they aren’t talked to regularly. Older children develop self esteem issues and improper etiquette if they don’t receive the right type of communication. The importance of talking to people is undeniable. We are social beings by nature, programmed to seek out and provide help. Are the homeless any less human? Is their nature any different? I’d have to say no. So, even if you can’t give money, give something better: a reflection.

Copyright© 2009

Youth Leadership and the Future

By: Halim Naeem
YRAC Aux Staff Journalist

The great Imam W.D. Muhammad is dead. May Allah have mercy on his soul. Quite frankly, I am not worried about him. He is in a better place relaxing with the God and Prophet that he loves, Insha Allah. What I am worried about is the community. I am worried because there is still a chance that Shaytan can sway us from the path of Allah. How do we stop this from happening? We have to sustain our community. The best and the only way to sustain our community is to develop our youth.

People have asked for ages how  to exactly do that. It is pretty simple. Development comes through two things: training and experience. Training comes in the form of mentorship and instilling good decision making skills into our youth. Experience comes through putting our youth in leadership positions to develop their skills. This is where intergenerational communication becomes critical. As it is, communication is horrible between generations in the American Muslim community across ages, ethnicities, organizations and regions.

The W.D. Community had an amazing conference during Labor Day and Ramadan of this year. We showed up in great numbers and displayed an enthusiasm and zeal for Islam that is nearly unmatchable. Yet, there was a major thing missing: the youth.  Though there were workshops made for the youth and topics that could even be considered “youth friendly,” the few youth who were there seemed to be held hostage or dragged there. The looks on their faces and in their demeanor read “This is not for me.” I appreciate how much work and prioritization went into the youth agenda from the W.D. conference. However, a critical formula was missing:

ownership + development = Leadership.

Simply put, if the community is to sustain itself, there need to be youth (ages 10-18 and 18-25) put on parallel tracts for the conference this upcoming year. I do not mean a few token youth. I mean whole committees of youth. There need to be concerts, dinners, sports tournaments, competitions, workshops, celebrities and much more. Once a sense of ownership is created within the individual, then s(he) needs development, which comes through healthy mentoring. Healthy mentoring comes from a relationship between a mentor and youth that empowers and does not devour. Once the youth develop to a point where they are confident in their abilities, and have created relationships in their areas of interest, they then grow into leaders. Communities who do not develop leaders for the future get replaced by Allah. In other words, the community dies.

This act of injecting youth into the core is not hard to do logistically. However, it is extremely hard to accomplish internally. This is because many of the people in previous generations are defined by and melded to specific positions, be they those of prominence or experience. This is why, in the last verse of Surah Asr, Allah says  “And strive together in patience and consistency.” We need to be patient with each other and open our hearts to one another. If we maintain the bitterness between generations, we will go nowhere. Let us find new leaders and give them multiple opportunities to develop our community towards the place Allah and his prophet have set out for us.

5th Annual Muslim Day October 24-25, 2009

By: Na’Aisha Malika B.
YRAC Aux Staff Journalist/Photographer

Picture this: It’s a beautiful sunny autumn day around noon. The children are smiling, energetic backseat drivers! Predicting the every turn, bump and curve of my vehicle‘s path. They know their designated time to arrive at the park is coming soon. It’s Muslim Day, and they’ve been waiting all year for this wonderful family festivity! But wait, I suddenly look at the gas gauge and forgot that I was in dire need of gas. So, I pulled over at the big gas station a block away from the park. As I unscrew the top from my gas tank, I look around, surveying the other gas pumping folks, looking for a recognizable face. I see no one. Then I am momentarily drawn away from pumping gas to clean out my son’s car seat for a minute. Suddenly, when I glance back at the gas pump, I see that the numbers in price and gallon are escalating far higher than I need or desire to pay. I know my tanks capacity is 12.5 gallons, but the gauge is showing 14.0 gallons pumping! What happened to the automatic pump that stops when the tank is full?

“Oh my goodness!” As I rush towards the pump exploding gasoline four feet into the air, I am interrupted (and saved) from performing the unwanted task of pulling the spewing pump out of my car. It was a Muslim brother who quickly shouts out the greetings, and makes his way in between my car and the gas pump. Very carefully and meticulously, he pulls the pump out, and somehow manages to avoid stepping in the 1.5 gallons of vaporous gas surrounding the wheels on the right side of my car.

I am disoriented and in shock from the incident, and probably the toxic fumes! After calling the attendant, getting me a refund caused by the defective pump, he then backs my car up away from the gasoline, so as not to ignite any fumes and cause a potential gasoline fire while my children were innocently and eagerly sitting in the car. Visibly shaken, I looked up towards the sky and uttered an ironically relaxed, “Allahuakbar, thank you…so much!” The brother gives a humble greeting and replies, “No problem sister. I am glad that I was able to help you. My name is Zaid. As Salaamu Alaikum! I pray that you enjoy the activities at the park with your children.” And he walks towards his car, opens the door, gets in, nods his head at me one last time, then drives off. I have not seen him since.

I will forever remember Muslim Day 2009. I was a firsthand witness of the miraculous beauty of Allah swt, that is everywhere surrounding us, at times when we least expect it, and when we need it the most. Incidents like this make me remember Imam WD Mohammed and his vision for the unification and charitable deeds towards humanity in our community. These words can only partially convey my gratitude and pride to be a Muslim living in America in such a beautiful community, and in an era that is the catalyst for global change.

The spirit for change was felt amongst the crowd at the historic Grant Park, although significantly smaller than previous years due to weather and other city events. Last year’s crowd was over 5,000 Muslims. Impromptu games of volleyball, football, soccer and even foot racing were starting everywhere I turned. Hundreds of children enjoyed the 5 large inflatable playhouses to their little hearts’ content. Mothers, such as myself, and older siblings looked on proudly at their childrens’ incredible feats of jumping 2-3 feet into the air! The delectable aromas of the finest and freshest halaal cuisine that Atlanta has to offer, permeated my nostrils with every blow of the wind.

Muslim Day featured a mini health fair, family picnics, a great bazaar area, and much more!
A live performances from an all muslim jazz band got everyone on their toes, including a refreshing performance from new teen crooner Saif-Allah Jackson, performing his local hit, “She Be Rocking Hijab.” There were many other performers, including Spoken word/HipHop artist Mustafa Abdul-Basit. The performances were concluded by presentations from Atlanta’s mayoral candidates Kasim Reed, Jesse Spikes, Lisa Borders, and Mary Norwood. This intimate discussion gave viewers an opportunity to listen to the candidates view points ranging from city budget proposals, crime reduction, and diversity. Quranic recitation and nasheed competitions were also held, featuring some of our finest young reciters! The spirit of camaraderie, unity, and peace was all too prevalent. Muslims from all communities in Atlanta were in attendance at Muslim Day 2009.

Performer at Muslim Day

Couple at Muslim Day

Believer capturing the moment

Children enjoying themselves

(For more information or to assist with next year’s planning go to www.muslimday.org.)