Peace on earth?

When I was in college, I joined a group called, simply, World Peace Organization. We were a small group with fundamental goals. Our main objective was to bring about peace on earth.

Kids these days aren't as naively optimistic as we were then. Kids these days have seen bombings, massacres and times of seemingly endless war. More significantly, they've seen that our generation--a generation with our own share of political assassinations and war--was unable to change anything.

World peace. What a wonderful idea. And completely impossible.

We won't have world peace. Not in this lifetime. There will always be someone who stirs the pot and creates turmoil.

But we can work for peace. Starting with inner peace. Being satisfied with our own selves, while continuing to strive for improvement. Then we can move to peace within our families and our communities.

We can't have world peace. But we can do our best to live in peace, in our own little areas of the world.

By the way, I did find peace. I found Islam.

Enjoin what is right. . .

One of the most powerful stories I have ever heard was about the man who was punished because he did good but did not encourage good in others.

We cannot stand by and allow evil to triumph. We must do our part, whether in our families, our communities, our cities or our governments.

Machiavelli said that the end justifies the means. But for Muslims, the end means nothing. The end is with Allah. What matters is what we do to get there.

Be good. And encourage good. With your hearts, your tongues and your hands.

Democracy

Do you believe that democracy is important? Should a government be governed of the people, by the people and for the people?

Then don't let our leaders get away with using illegal methods to spy on the people.

Happy Holidays?

I haven't celebrated Christmas since I became a Muslim more than twenty years ago. But I can never escape the Christmas season. Crowds in the stores. Christmas songs on the radio. Heart-warming commercials on TV. Decorations. Sales. Sometimes it's enough to make me want to scream out, "Bah, humbug!"

Getting through the holidays is a special challenge for those of us who used to celebrate and no longer do. I will be teaming up with another convert to discuss "Surviving the Holidays" in a live dialogue on Islamonline.net.

If you have your own challenges for getting through the holiday season, please talk to us at www.islamonline.net. The dialogue will be held live this Tuesday night from 8 to 10 (Eastern).
Please check the website for GMT.

A Noble Ideal

Thank you for sharing that, Abu Muhammad.

What prevents us from striving for the noble ideal? Are we too busy? Too distracted by the obligations of life? Is mass entertainment to blame? Or are we just too lazy?

Believing men and believing women. Working together to make life easier. Worshipping. Cooperating. Giving. Caring. Sounds like too much work, doesn't it?

I've often heard it said that Islam is too much work. All that praying and fasting. Putting on a scarf every time you leave the house. Watching what you eat. Being careful of what you say.

But consider the alternative. Alienation. Exploitation of women. Obesity and other health issues. Courtroom battles. Addiction. Violence. Emptiness. Sounds great, right?

Muslims are not immune from these problems. We fall prey to everything modern society has to offer. But only when we don't practice Islam.

Don't settle. Keep striving for the best, the noble ideal.

Connections

One of the most interesting things about people is how much we need each other.

From birth to death, we yearn for connections with others. To belong and be a part of something. It is a basic human need.

So when we pray together, shoulder to shoulder, it is a very special experience. Connected to Allah. Connected to one another.

We have to work hard to maintain our connections. And we must remember to reach out to those who feel disconnected.

Brotherhood. Sisterhood. A major part of what Islam is all about.

My Website

Please check out my new website at:

http://jamilahkolocotronis.writerswebpages.com

Drop me a line or two. I look forward to hearing from you.

Patriotism

Does patriotism mean to blindly follow the leaders, doing whatever they tell you?

Or does patriotism mean standing up for what is right, even when the leaders are doing wrong?

Is patriotism about flags and parades?

Or is it about the greater good?

None of these statements is new. But I think people are starting to get the message.

Words

The sermon at today's prayer was about talking. The imam started by pointing out that Prophet Muhammad (S) was a man of few words. The Prophet's khutbahs were short and to the point. He spoke when necessary, and always in a positive manner.

I spend a great deal of time with words. Writing books. Writing emails. Reading websites, blogs, books, newspapers. Teaching. Not to mention conversation in general.

The sermon today made me think. In a world full of new and better ways to communicate, maybe we should spend more time being quiet.

What's Worse

Like I said, it's cold and slippery, and I'm ready for spring.

The only thing worse than winter weather is the person who complains all summer because he or she is hot. Please be quiet and let me enjoy it.



P.S.--I promise this is the last time (this week) I'll complain about the weather.