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Meet the american muslims : true stories of new muslim

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During my twenty-six years stay in America I had the privilege and honor to interact with many American Muslims on a personal and family basis. It was very inspiring for me and it strengthened my faith immensely.
I confess, like many other immigrants in the U.S.A. I was a better practicing Muslim in America than in my native country. Much credit goes to these new Muslims.
Most of them are superior in knowledge and practice to me. May Allah let me catch up with them!
Most of the Muslims described here are only ordinary members of Muslim society in North America.
I feel that they have made a great impact on their own lives and the lives of those around them. Such local heroes should be recognized. In fact it is this positive change at the grass roots of American Society which amazes, and somewhat alarms other religions there.
For example, most violent prisoners became the best-behaved citizens and peaceful residents after accepting Islam in the prisons. These new American Muslims are seen in every nook and corner of every city in North America. They are a guiding light for the born traditional Muslims as well as for the new Muslims.
They very quietly adorn American Society day after day by their remarkable character.
Thad a lovely colleague in the mathematics department of a senior high school in America. Her name was Cindy and she happened to be a Jew by religion. Teaching at a high school is a very demanding job. Most of the teachers get very exhausted. It was customary for the members of the mathematics department to have a special luncheon for all faculty members at the end of each semester. We called this social event the unwinding process. We used to cook sloppy joe. It is ground beef cooked with tomato sauce and mild chilies. It was done in our department using a slow cooker. My American colleagues loved this sloppy joe. I once announced loudly that I would bring ground beef next time. Everybody eagerly agreed. During this luncheon I said to Cindy" "Aren't you lucky that l brought ground beef which both of us are permitted to eat?" She said, "Mr. Ahmad I am a bad Jew. I even eat pork." I did not pursue this matter to avoid sensitivity.
We had common interests in real estate since both of us were licensed real estate sales persons. She was working in the real estate brokerage owned by her husband. She told me that the market is pretty good now. She added that since her husband is a military colonel working in Pentagon (Military Headquarters), she has to take care of most of the brokerage work.
During the conversation I said to her, "Cindy how come l do not see you on duty in the basket ball games or other sports events in the evenings." She boldly said,
"The school authorities cannot force me to do this duty since I have to take my children and the children of my neighborhood thrice a week to a Hebrew school during the week days. This is in addition to the regular religious services. I have been doing this voluntarily for the last few years." This amazed me. I said to myself quietly that this young lady is a full time teacher and drives fortyfive minutes one way each school day to school. She is a part-time real estate agent also.
Besides this she has her usual family and social life.
Still she has time and commitment to serve as a volunteer for a Hebrew school, and even then she calls herself a bad Jew.
I started wondering about my personal commit-ment, if any, and commitments of many others around me who consider themselves good Muslims.
1 thank Allah (SWT) Who enabled me to put these experiences together. I also thank my wife, Dr. Sophia Ahmad, who supported me in all these activities in every possible way, in spite of many shortcomings on my part.
I am grateful to Dr. G. A. Sabzwari of Ummul Qura University Makka Mukarrama, brother Saadat Ali Chughtai, sister Umm Yahya and Athar Sirajuddin who helped and guided me with their valuable advice in compiling and presenting my humble experiences. I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts my modest efforts. Ameen.

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Ketersediaan

B01426

297 AHM m

Cyber Library Unas

Tersedia namun tidak untuk dipinjamkan - No Loan

Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

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No. Panggil

297 AHM m

Penerbit

Saudi Arabia : Madina Munawwara., 2000

Deskripsi Fisik

38 cm.

Bahasa

Indonesia

ISBN/ISSN

9960700682

Klasifikasi

297

Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

-

Subjek

Muslim di USA

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

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Versi lain/terkait

Lampiran Berkas

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