Falcon29
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- Apr 13, 2013
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I've been wanting to talk about this for awhile. But, I wonder, why aren't we looking inward and focusing on self development and improvement? This will work to our benefit much more than pointing finger elsewhere will. Or consuming ourselves with hatred of 'the other'. Some of my quick advice for Muslims and would like others to answer the question in OP with their perspective. So here is some brief advice:
1.) Muslims need to stop being loud:
By this I mean we see too many Muslims online rambling about non-Muslims or how they are misguided or how so and so country is evil or the West this and that. We sound very unhinged and edgey. Why can't we just have a consistent policy with non-Muslims. Every adult knows religions share different beliefs and each religion believes they are right. We believe our religion, and no need to try going out disproving every other religion or belittling non-Muslims. Or attacking their beliefs. Instead just observe our beliefs and faith on our own and respect and be good to everyone else.
2.) Muslims need to withdraw from online scene(like Youtube, social media, toxic events):
There is lots of discussions about Muslims and Islam online with too many Muslims thinking they are helping our cause but actually make it worse. Let toxic people online remain to themselves and speak among themselves. Don't adopt their ways and try to get back at them. The more you withdraw from the toxic online scene the less suspense and attention will be attracted to Islam and Muslims. Eventually people will tire of it and move on to something else. So don't give them the fuel they need by trying to get back at them and instead just focus on ourselves. Lots of these toxic people want to bait you into getting dragged into this toxic scene to keep you as center of attention. It is in your interest to withdraw from this scene and let mentally ill frustrated people have to find something else to bicker about or else risk coming off like a broken record.
It will also show people that you are keeping to yourselves and have your mind set to being more productive and having a healthier outlook on life and this is where people will see something smart done for once by Muslims and withdraw their negative perceptions or stereotypes on Muslims, or at least some of them.
3.) Muslims need to keep religion more private
As in, in public in a majority non-Muslim country, don't discuss religion at all between non-Muslims even if you are religious. I see too many Muslims very open about discussing everything about their religion publicly. And sharing all their beliefs. You are not obliged to. And you don't need to convert everyone. Learn from the Jews who keep their faith to themselves and make sure they aren't coming off as Jehovah witnesses annoying everyone. People don't want to hear much about Islam. And don't let that offend you or depress you. The way you approach this situation is keeping religion more private amongst yourselves. Remember, the less Islam is the center of attention, the more likely peoples minds will be consumed with other things and peoples perspective of Muslims will improve. If you keep trying to remind everyone that you think they are misguided or that they are bad towards Muslims or what not, the more they think about you and develop negative perceptions.
So keep your faith to yourselves, withdraw from peoples minds and focus on self improvement. There's no need to try hard to make people know you are Muslim. And remember, don't be offended or think these are extreme suggestions. Some matters require unusual approaches. We are in unusual situation which requires us to think out of the box even if it includes making some sacrifices. And all these suggestions will help us.
4.) Muslims need accept things aren't going well for them and be patient
Things aren't going well, we know. It's okay, don't freak out, don't lose your mind over it. This is part of life and God gave you ability to adapt. We adapt by calming down, looking inward, having discussions between Muslim think tanks, human rights orgs, and other experts and their advice on how to approach social issues in the Muslim world. And we need to do more critical thinking. Brainstorm, and implement new strategies for our societies. It will take some time and this is okay. It will be exhausting, but that is okay. It will take hard work, and this is okay too. Losing our minds and rambling all the time and insulting everyone is what's not okay. And what achieves literally nothing. Except increased negative perceptions of us.
We have resources, minds, talented people, good hearted people, and everything else needed to brainstorm, plan and implement steps to solve things like extremism, corruption, hypocrisy, lack of education, low quality of life, failed governance, etc.... All we lack is the right guidance. And inability to accept self critique and insistence on blaming everything on the 'other'.
....
....
....
These are just some brief set of advices. There is more to it and I would to hear others input. So please contribute and give me constructive feedback. And give me your perspective as well.
Do you think our priorities are misplaced as well and that we have negative habits that we can't seem to let go of??
Do you think we need to allow more self critique of ourselves and actually correct ourselves where we are wrong instead of silencing our own people or pointing fingers elsewhere??
1.) Muslims need to stop being loud:
By this I mean we see too many Muslims online rambling about non-Muslims or how they are misguided or how so and so country is evil or the West this and that. We sound very unhinged and edgey. Why can't we just have a consistent policy with non-Muslims. Every adult knows religions share different beliefs and each religion believes they are right. We believe our religion, and no need to try going out disproving every other religion or belittling non-Muslims. Or attacking their beliefs. Instead just observe our beliefs and faith on our own and respect and be good to everyone else.
2.) Muslims need to withdraw from online scene(like Youtube, social media, toxic events):
There is lots of discussions about Muslims and Islam online with too many Muslims thinking they are helping our cause but actually make it worse. Let toxic people online remain to themselves and speak among themselves. Don't adopt their ways and try to get back at them. The more you withdraw from the toxic online scene the less suspense and attention will be attracted to Islam and Muslims. Eventually people will tire of it and move on to something else. So don't give them the fuel they need by trying to get back at them and instead just focus on ourselves. Lots of these toxic people want to bait you into getting dragged into this toxic scene to keep you as center of attention. It is in your interest to withdraw from this scene and let mentally ill frustrated people have to find something else to bicker about or else risk coming off like a broken record.
It will also show people that you are keeping to yourselves and have your mind set to being more productive and having a healthier outlook on life and this is where people will see something smart done for once by Muslims and withdraw their negative perceptions or stereotypes on Muslims, or at least some of them.
3.) Muslims need to keep religion more private
As in, in public in a majority non-Muslim country, don't discuss religion at all between non-Muslims even if you are religious. I see too many Muslims very open about discussing everything about their religion publicly. And sharing all their beliefs. You are not obliged to. And you don't need to convert everyone. Learn from the Jews who keep their faith to themselves and make sure they aren't coming off as Jehovah witnesses annoying everyone. People don't want to hear much about Islam. And don't let that offend you or depress you. The way you approach this situation is keeping religion more private amongst yourselves. Remember, the less Islam is the center of attention, the more likely peoples minds will be consumed with other things and peoples perspective of Muslims will improve. If you keep trying to remind everyone that you think they are misguided or that they are bad towards Muslims or what not, the more they think about you and develop negative perceptions.
So keep your faith to yourselves, withdraw from peoples minds and focus on self improvement. There's no need to try hard to make people know you are Muslim. And remember, don't be offended or think these are extreme suggestions. Some matters require unusual approaches. We are in unusual situation which requires us to think out of the box even if it includes making some sacrifices. And all these suggestions will help us.
4.) Muslims need accept things aren't going well for them and be patient
Things aren't going well, we know. It's okay, don't freak out, don't lose your mind over it. This is part of life and God gave you ability to adapt. We adapt by calming down, looking inward, having discussions between Muslim think tanks, human rights orgs, and other experts and their advice on how to approach social issues in the Muslim world. And we need to do more critical thinking. Brainstorm, and implement new strategies for our societies. It will take some time and this is okay. It will be exhausting, but that is okay. It will take hard work, and this is okay too. Losing our minds and rambling all the time and insulting everyone is what's not okay. And what achieves literally nothing. Except increased negative perceptions of us.
We have resources, minds, talented people, good hearted people, and everything else needed to brainstorm, plan and implement steps to solve things like extremism, corruption, hypocrisy, lack of education, low quality of life, failed governance, etc.... All we lack is the right guidance. And inability to accept self critique and insistence on blaming everything on the 'other'.
....
....
....
These are just some brief set of advices. There is more to it and I would to hear others input. So please contribute and give me constructive feedback. And give me your perspective as well.
Do you think our priorities are misplaced as well and that we have negative habits that we can't seem to let go of??
Do you think we need to allow more self critique of ourselves and actually correct ourselves where we are wrong instead of silencing our own people or pointing fingers elsewhere??
