Building a bridge of Understanding btwn different faiths? at College?

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shudnt_have

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:sl: :sister: and :brother:

I am in really in need of some of your suggestions here. Id like some ideas on how to introduce the Religion of God Almightly-Islam to our Local College Bi-Newspaper? As far as I know, this would be our first Islamic Column in our 'Recreational type' newsletter? [keeping in mind, 99.8% of the readers will be non-muslims!] :)

How do I break this block of ice? Where should I begin? With the biography of Prophet (saw), especially after the current hyprocr chaos around the world? How do I kindled the spark of love in the hearts of non-beleivers whom they've never KNOWN our beloved Rasullahu walle wasalaam?

I need an EFFECTIVE and wise approach, please. Bearing in mind, for more approvals [from the readers and the newspaper committe] and building bridge of understanding with different faiths? :sister: :brother:
Dislikes:
I dont wish to come across as if I am writing a hate speech, nor I want to be misunderstood as if this kind of 'blamesphy' provoked a reaction out of me? :rollseyes

Sooooooooo Where do I start?

:w:
 
Wa Alaikumussalaam! Oh Masha Allah!

Hmmm.. indeed the focus of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is very important since there has been alot of misunderstandings about him (pbuh). Maybe write a bit about what Islam is?, Who is Allah?, Who is Muhammad (pbuh), Who Muslim are? I'd say your key focus should be the Prophet (pbuh) write about his maners, Characteristic etc etc.

Insha Allah other members would give you a good input :)
 
yea i agree

u could do an article on either:

1 - Prophet Mohammed (his life and sayings)

Or

2 - Introduction to Islam (basic stuff)

but i think the #1 would be better
 
I don't know what country you are in, so I have to ask does the newspaper let you do an article on anything you like? Or does the government impose restrictions on what you put in the newspaper?
 
:sl: :brother: :sister:
Jazakullahu Khairan for the input! I forget to mention, I attend one of North-American College. Canada to be precise! We also have MSA-Muslim Student Association, unfortunately our MSA hasnt taken any action at all. We are a DEAD MSA-I am stating this statement with full conscious. We have low recognition in the College as Muslims and zero-nil-nada activities for Muslims to attend to. Just the regular annual iftari Dinners. [for now, I dont wish make the revival of our MSA my top priority.]

Our bi-weekly newsletter is where everyone has a chance to state their opinion on worldly current issues or even small issues which may affect us on individual basis. parking, food etc.. It is published for anything, but everything.

*I want to make it simple and easy to digest material.[avoid controversies among muslims and non-muslims.]
* I dont have strong writing skills either. [I am a sciency student, so I have no liberal arts background:skeleton: ,
*but I will try my best to make this article interesting and informative

I have thought about the Title of the article:

One word, one message:Peace

  1. Introduce: the Current situation: Denish invasion of Islamic belief...
  2. Intro. to Islam: explain the root word in the Word,:'Islam'-peace
  3. Intro to Taqwa: Onesss of God in all major religions
  4. Islam's mesage of Peace with other religions [quote relevant Quranic Ayah]
  5. State the reason, why is it wrong to depict pictures of Rasullahu Walle wasalaam?-Islamic prespective on this issue on "drawings"
    however I will KEEP In mind, not to discuss the politicial propoganda in such matter-ie, the european govt and their sole interest..

So how does it sound? Feel free to add anything..
:sister:
 
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Greetings and peace shudnt_have;

I will pray that your efforts of working for greater interfaith understandings bear fruit; I am a Christian and would certainly be interested in reading any interfaith articles that strive towards peace.

Do you just want to write articles or were you thinking more of trying to bring people together?

May God bless your efforts

Eric
 
If you're really concerned with building a bridge between faiths, might I recommend you offer some sort of column that is not completely Islamic in nature.

In discussing Islam for example, why not discuss the similarities it holds with other faiths and some of the common grounds that different faiths (which includes non-believers) share.

I find that there is too little dialogue on campus between the different religious associations and more importantly, the agnostic/atheist/pseudo-religious majority. Instead of discussing our own views and idealogues with those who hold the same views, I believe we need more open dialogue with one another.
 
Yes, that's true, the only way to unite one another is to interact with everybody.

Good idea Pegcityone.
 
Eric_H: Thankyou for showing interest. I am grateful to God Almighty, and pray to meet peace-lovers and humanitarian people like yourself. To be frank, I am thinking about conveying the message of peace with the power of pen for now.
But I am glad to hear an brilliant idea of 'open dialogues' btwn interfaith! I wish to learn more about my own religion and others eventually, so Id be able to qualify for such a beautiful & blessful experience.:sister:

pegcityone: Brillaint Idea~ I will definitely consider your note-worthy idea. However, I need help in understanding other individuals' stand point, before I can approach them. I would really appreciate if you can point out to me some of your personal interests? on how such matter of religions shud be discussed?
Unfortunately, from what I have observed, whenever I am with different people of faith, [they have confessed] that they havent had great experiences with somebody from diff religion.
I think, we all sense this strong 'gap' btwn us, whenever we seek to forget our differences. I ask God Almightly to erase such gaps and fill it with more understanding and love btwn us. Ameen

Iqram::sl: Jazakullahu Khairan, As our beloved Rasullahu walle wasalaam said, the only way to wipe off hatred from our hearts is to 'shake hands' subhaAllah.

Keep ur great ideas coming. I appreciate once again everyone's reply:sister:
 
shudnt_have said:
pegcityone: Brillaint Idea~ I will definitely consider your note-worthy idea. However, I need help in understanding other individuals' stand point, before I can approach them. I would really appreciate if you can point out to me some of your personal interests? on how such matter of religions shud be discussed?
Unfortunately, from what I have observed, whenever I am with different people of faith, [they have confessed] that they havent had great experiences with somebody from diff religion.
I think, we all sense this strong 'gap' btwn us, whenever we seek to forget our differences. I ask God Almightly to erase such gaps and fill it with more understanding and love btwn us. Ameen
Click to expand...

As an agnostic, I may not be the right one to talk about religious similarities. But I was raised in a Christian nation, and I took a course in Islamic studies...there's really tons of similarities between all the monotheistic religions. Prior to becoming more popular, monotheistic sects were often allied against pagans.

Anywhos...that was off topic...there's so many avenues for similarity. I mean a lot of the core priniciples of Islam - as I understand them - are universal topics. You're obviously not going to create a middle ground by discussing issues that are highly political or by expressing opinions that are based on a theological perspective.

However, issues such as charity, prosperity, faith, peace, battling poverty...these are universal...and there are both Islamic, Christian and Atheist groups that have a heavy hand in this.

This may not be much help, but I think it would be easy for you to find common ground with a little research. :)
 
Greetings and peace shudnt_have;

My thoughts are not so much to focus on what we have in common, my thoughts are to ask more provocative questions.

Is there any hope that people of diverse faiths can build bridges despite the differences?

Do you have any ideas to bring diversity together in seeking justice and peace for people of all faiths, and also to include our non- believing friends too?

When we leave college as adults we do not want to grow up in a world of fear and hate, how can we as students influence peace through diversity?

These things take place in the fullnes of time, and maybe the first person you have to inspire is yourself.

Sorry in a hurry catch up with you all later, God willing

Eric
 
I would skip the life of the prophet or the history of Islam. I would start by showing the basic tenets of Islam. This would show people of all faiths that there are more similarities than difference. Then you can expand upon that in later columns--emphasize the differences while still stressing similarities.
 
Thanks Guy for replying..

I guess, I was completely off-board when I thought of writing 300 words article would be extremely easy job.:? I guess, I underestamated the number of arrogants and narrow minded in the world today.

After reading some anti-peace things happening around our campus [in the newspaper] and in our nation discourages me to take efforts.

I dont know what is wrong, may be it has been a tough week. Never mind me, I will boost my energy with some caffiene and write up a paper and get back to you guys a.s.a.p.

Appreicate your inputs once again!
 
Bro shudnt_have,

I feel that u should start with both....ie some ayahs of holy quran which specifically speaks about good virtues, like Zakath, prohibition of interest, and others.And portions of the holy prophet's life when he dealt with non believers with compassion and love. The need is to promote islam as a tolrant religion. So ur message should be that as a muslims U have obligation to be friendly with ppls of all faith.

Thanks.
 

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