Taking Islam to Doorsteps

Creative outreach can generate greater goodwill and a better understanding of Islam. By: Sheikh Abdul Rahman. Published in Islamic Horizons November/December 2001.

The program, which reached out to 400 schools in a population of about 500,000 people at a cost of about $10,000, allowed every child to be exposed to some Islamic values.

Muslim Americans anxious to share the message of Islam have invited their neighbors to masjids for tours and talks, joined interfaith dialogues, and made presentations at churches, synagogues, and universities.

The Islamic Association of Cincinnati, OH, (lAC), considering that it was time to take Islam to the public, has formed a dawah outreach program committee that can be replicated elsewhere in North America. The organizers were guided by the Qur'anic advice: "Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and discuss with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Lord knows best those who have strayed from His Path and those who receive guidance" (16:125).

The committee plans to educate children at all levels as future leaders and citizens. By the time they reach college, their beliefs and actions already have been consolidated. At that age, even those with a good religious background may pass through various phases of belief, disbelief and confusion, ignorance and arrogance. However, before we educate them, we must educate teachers to teach Islam impartially and help their students avoid prejudice.

The pilot project was carried out in the Greater Cincinnati area, which includes northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. All private and public schools were contacted and sent a gift package of Islamic books and videos suited for various grade levels. The program, which reached out to 400 schools in a population of about 500,000 people, cost about $10,000. This well-spent money allowed every child to be exposed to some Islamic values.

As a follow-up, the committee invited teachers to participate in free or minimum
expense education seminars conducted by Audrey Shabbazz, author of the well-respected Arab World Notebook, and other scholars. Participants received lunch, a pre and post-test, and evaluated the workshop. The workshop's booth displayed Islamic books and videos. An essay competition on subjects related to Islam is planned, and a $300-$500 prize will be provided.

Muslims should involve themselves in school activities. For example, children winners of spelling bees and other contests may be given awards ranging from $30 (school level), $50 (state level), and even $300 (national level). Valedictorians can get a college scholarship gift of $300.

Muslims can sponsor best-teacher awards-$500 for each district's best teacher. Children nominate the teachers, while judges use Islamic criteria. Sponsors should be in the schools at the time of the awards. Once a year, all champions, valedictorians, and best teachers should attend an award recognition ceremony at the masjid. This can be combined with an open house, such as an Eid dinner or a Hajj celebration.

However, before all of this, better coordination can be affected by establishing a curriculum, and having each committee member obtain 8 hours of continuing education credits in Islamic education.

Media outreach: In order to provide cultural and Islamic education to the media, Muslims must invite them to such events as weddings, Ramadan dinners, and Hajj activities. Muslims need to establish a speaker's bureau and a writer's guild composed of people who can write about Islamic views.

Public Outreach: Muslims are to be good and caring neighbors, and such conduct is the best da'wah. Masjids should arrange fundraising events for fire and police departments, homeless shelters, and other worthy undertakings. Local Islamic associations may arrange a neighborhood or community picnic. Election booths can be set up at Islamic centers, as this will allow many people to visit the center and learn that it is just like any other place of worship.

Muslim physicians can play a vital dawah role by setting up specialty booths for quick consultation on such issues blood pressure, screening, blood sugar, blood donation, and organ donation education. Local Islamic centers or associations could organize a tasteof-the-world picnic or outdoor events, where low-priced ethnic foods can be tried. Islamic literature can be made available, and Islamic manners and hospitality displayed.

Some large airports have interfaith chapels for 50-60 people. Local Islamic centers also can provide materials and work with authorities to acquire a reserved area for salat. Centers can donate hijabs, prayer rugs, and copies of the Qur'an. Centers also can request larger hotel chains to set up chapels where people can pray, meditate, and find peace. Active national Islamic advocacy organizations can help here, as well as with similar projects in large shopping malls and theme parks. The Muslim community must cooperate by using these facilities if such programs are to succeed.

Until this happens in shopping centers, a bookstore can sell Islamic and other moral books, provide free Islamic literature, and a small area for prayer. Books can be bought or donated by Islamic publishing companies. Such a program could be run as a charity by dedicated volunteers or as a profit-making venture. A non-profit organization could operate a franchised coffee shop with religious books on every table, and trained waiters could answer the customers' questions.

The American public is generally ignorant of, and thus hostile to, Islam. Therefore, Muslim Americans are obliged ta provide Islamic guidance by presenting the message and living Islam, for Muslims are ambassadors of Islam in this country. Muslims shouId understand that dawah is a slow process- but that the rewards are eternal. Therefore, a lot of prayer and patience is needed.

The school outreach is a three-faceted effort requiring self-education, following a defined curriculum (books videos, audios. special Seminars), and fundraising. This da'wah effort may be difficult, but if Muslims do not undertake it, America will continue to suffer and Muslims will continue to disappear into this materialistic society. The project outlined here will cost between $30,000-70,000 per year for a city the size of Cincinnati or lndianapolis, and will require 20-30 hours a week of dedicated and knowledgeable people to conduct tours, seminars, and workshops. However, this does not include maintenance or other usual program costs.

A. Rahman, MD, is Chairman of the Outreach Education Committee of the Islamic Association of Cincinnati, OH.