How to Stop the War on Terror Series
The Goal
Everyday there is a story about Islam and the
Muslim community. All over the country and the world there are stories breaking
everyday. Yet the overall Muslim community in the United States is extremely lacking in representatives who can communicate their views in a coherent and meaningful way. The best way for integration and change to
occur is for Muslims to be active from within their own community to better
portray and explain their views and opinions.
The
goal: to find alternative ways to
communicate and increase the diversity of opinions available by networking of
individuals in the United States and elsewhere that can be trained and
organized to be effective communicators for the Muslim world.
Implementation
Areas
Viral
Internet Content:
With
the changes in technology it is becoming increasingly clear that more and more
people are getting their opinions, and forming their religious and political
views from the content on the internet. Even though many people still go and
sit with a local Sheikh or Imam, the next generation of Muslims is getting a
lot of their information from online content. Even amongst “radicals” or
“extremists” as the terms may apply, the content they are viewing is online.
Many times there is no direct content between those that react violently and
any other organizations or Terrorist entities. Therefore, the necessity to
provide positive alternative content, both audio and video, to help diversify
the online Islamic content, is clear.
The
Friday Khutbah (Sermon)
The key to change in any Muslim
community is a better message from the pulpit on Friday. The position of the
sermon in Islam is highly respected. The stature of the person who is able to
command the pulpit is paramount. Generally speaking those that promote an
integration model are considered by most, to be non-practicing or not
authorities in religious matters and unworthy of the pulpit. Creating a new
generation of Speakers that are qualified religiously to give a sermon and can
be taken as authority from the community are the keys to changing the message
the community hears.
Public
Relations (PR) and the Media
Currently there are only a few
organizations that are able to handle themselves with the Media and who can
appear relevant as subject matter experts in the US Muslim community. There is
a need to organize and develop individuals who can appear as experts in various
fields. Daily there is a need for guests on TV for commenting on news stories.
There are radio stations talking about Islam from both the left and the right,
generally without any contribution form the Muslim community. Many
organizations are looking for these Muslim individuals from Think Tanks, and
expert witnesses for court, to poets and artists for entertainment.
Community
Services
The Muslim community all across the
country is in need of services. By helping individuals on a community level to
better themselves you create and foster an environment of positive social
change. There is a need to provide conflict resolution services for the
community. Mediation of disputes, pre-marital and marital counseling, divorce
prevention and support, youth leadership and entrepreneurship are just a few.
By providing services and training we help alleviate the stresses of life for
the community. People who are actively involved in self improvement do not
resort to acts of desperation.
Concerns
The issue of concern is always what
form of Islam is going to be promoted. There is a general misunderstanding amongst
many people in the United States that there are forms of Islam. How do you stop the
radicals from spreading their message? You can not control the information
available. The best way is to develop a better message and provide more
services. To spread many different opinions from various people and let the
value of the content drive the information. By promoting alternative forms of
information and content you provide the opportunity for young and old to have
grater choice in what they chose to adhere to. Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Press.
Freedom Religion. This is the American method, with the belief that if many
alternatives are available, the messages of the extremists hurting Islam will
be diluted.
How to Stop the War on Terror Series
The Proposal: How We Stop the War on Terror with Islam. Part 1
Social Networks and Viral Internet to End the War on Terror. Part 2
Friday Khutbah Sermons to Stop The War on Terror in Islam. Part 3.
Media and Publict Relations PR to Stop the War on Terror in Islam. Part 4.
Community Service for Muslims to Change the Ideology of the Next Generation with Islam. Part 5.
Download The Proposal
Please check out our other series of articles.
Alternative Careers for Muslims To Stop Terror and Win the War of Ideology in Islam
Using Technology Internet Social Networks Trends To Understand People, the World
Saleem Siddiqui is a Political Commentator, Public Speaker, Actor
and Consultant. He is a trained Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Specialist. He conducts sermons and training for various religious and
Nonprofit organizations. Working with effort to increase Muslim and
Islamic awareness in
Communications, Public Relations (PR), Public
Speaking, Political Strategy, Media, Marketing, and many other fields
as they relate to the integration of Muslims in the United States of
America and around the world.
Saleem Siddiqui has undergrad degrees in Arabic and religion from
the Middle East and attended Law
School in Houston,Texas. He has
consulted with the FBI and testified on behalf of the District Attorney
of Virginia on cases relating to National Security and “The War on
Terror”.
Muslim Nightly Call In Radio Show.
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