Friday, February 26, 2010
Maintaining Islamic rituals with our children
Most people come to the U.S seeking a better life. Muslims also come to the U.S for the same reason and for a better education, work opportunities, and a lot more opportunities that might only be offered in the U.S. However, they do not know that everything has a price. I think that the number one problem is maintaining an Islamic environment and following all or at least some of its rituals. This is extremely hard for families who have young children. Children that grow up in the U.S have a hard time understanding and following Islam. There are some people who struggle in with this problem and decide to go back to their country. Others try hard to influence their children by basically forbidding them from any influence that is out their. For examples, friends and T.V. However, the majority just give up on their children and just let them do what they want. Most parents lose their children because most children leave their parents when they turn 18. I think all parents should know that their is a chance that their child will leave or will not follow Islams rituals but they should not go hard on their children. Children usually go to opposite thing that their parents want them too. Parents usually expect that their children know everything about Islam especially when they are living in the U.S. We should educate our children and don't make it so hard on the because Islam and its rituals is not hard we Muslims are the ones that make it hard and complicated.
4 comments:
If we know the statistics in the Middle East for those who wish to immigrate to America we will find a huge number that will say YES without hesitation and thinking. I believe that that no one will contradict me on this view. Now we need to pause, will anyone say yes? The answer would be that it is natural that in the Middle East and especially Arab men and any person would be proud of himself. In one of Arabs Doctor Ali Alwardy in his book Nomadic Civilization It is the memory of Iraqi and Iraqi society and is proud of himself and of his country. However in the same time he thinks about escaping his country or from the reality that he is living in. This escape is important and one of the important reasons is related to this blog. Many Muslims in their countries do not follow Islam's rituals, beliefs, and rules. That is the opposite of what happens in the Western countries. An Egyptian Author Mohammed Abdu once visited Europe and when he came back he was asked what did he find in Europe he said that I found Muslims without Islam. From this we understand that as parents we have teach our children that Islam's System is a system that is integrated. We have to teach our children that they have the identity of Islam and they have to take care of that Identity. Every Muslim In a Western country has to understand that he is representing Millions of Muslims around the world. We have to talk to our children about Islam and educate them on Islam. Also one important aspect of this is that we have to let everyone know that Islam is with development and is against extremists. And If you found anyone like that it is because they are not following Islam. The problem is not in Islam but in Muslims.
I with you success.
Hani Albaldawy
Muslim parents living in the U.S. should live in places in the U.S. that have Mosques. Like Detroit, Phoenix, Nashville etc. This may be a stereotype but muslim dads are usually hard on their kids and I think they should know how to raise their children. Very good post by the way.
your Religious concerns are valuable. and I agree with You that in western Countries being ritual-laden Muslim is So Hard; there is few musques, Halal meats, and Of course Many Sins!
but I remark that we(Iranian people who Live in So called Muslim Nation-State) have lost our belief and faith... and, ironically, You( despite your Sinfull environment)have deep religious concerns...
I ask : Why and how?
I'm not an expert on this issue or maybe I'm not the one to answer you, but let me tell you what I think and what I believe is the important reason for this issue. I believe that in Iran people don't have the choice to to have faith it is forced on them. We are humans and when something is forced on us we try to do the opposite especially when it is forced on the people of Iran without any good reason. For example when you tell a kid that "this is hot don't touch it, it will burn," the kid will go and touch it because you just told him not too. But of course what we are talking about in on a bigger picture. Luckily nothing was forced on me. I have the choice to have faith or to not.
The issue is way deeper than this and I need days to write down what I think. But this hopefully answers your question.
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