IAR Challenges the Triangle Muslim Community

August 28th, 2020

IAR Challenges the Triangle Muslim Community 

re: Reenvisioning Community Leadership in the Corona Years

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

All Praises be to God, Lord of all the worlds

The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Master of the day of judgment

You alone we worship and from you alone, we seek help

Guide us to the straight path

The path of those who have earned your favor, not those who have earned your wrath, nor those who have gone astray.

Surah Al-Fatihah 

The opening chapter of the Quran was recited by #JacobBlake’s father at a press conference watched around the world. While some may not have understood the beautiful words of Allah (SWT) in arabic, they could feel it. 

He recited 7 verses matching the 7 shots that wounded his child. These recent tragedies that have wounded and killed black men and women around the country are reminders that as Muslims, we have a responsibility to contribute individually and collectively for the betterment of society.

What we’re currently seeing is a transformational moment around the world. A moment where individuals and local communities are stepping up to reimagine what a compassionate world could look like. 

This is not a moment to sit on the sidelines. We’ve seen NBA, WNBA, MLS, MLB players decide to stop playing and sit on the sidelines to push for change. We all can make change, but unless we’re a sports player, it’s not by sitting on the sidelines. Some of us have been in the game for a long time, but some of us have been inactive. There is no better time than today to get in the court. Community leadership comes from utilizing the skills you have and are passionate about in a way that not only benefits yourself but the community at large. 

What does leadership look like?

It could look like an artist selling beautiful words or pictures that sends proceeds back to the over 24 million people that need Humanitarian assistance in Yemen. It could look like a group of doctors, dentists, therapists, educators, engineers, and other professionals creating a community wellness center to give access to resources to decrease the 43% poverty rate of children in North Carolina (the 11th highest state in the nation for child poverty).

It could look like a group of mothers organizing a Zoom call to talk about addressing racial justice issues and identity with their children and themselves. It could, also, look like getting involved with your local Masjid and figure out how to scale their infrastructure.

IAR is working on itself internally and wants to join to help transform the community within the value propositions of our uniquely diverse and large community of over 75 nationalities as the largest Masjid in the United States’ Southeast. IAR is continuing its important commitment to exploring ways to eliminate racism in our masjid, our community and in our hearts through discussion, action and knowledge-seeking. While we focus on ways to lead these noble causes as an organization, we want to encourage our congregants to seek out ways to lead as well. We can’t do this alone.

Want to join a community of people who also want to lead? The following is a list of resources to get you started…

SERVE

  • Are you interested in working to build cultural humility and compassion between companions of IAR through research, education, and action? We have a committee for that (est. 2018): Apply to be on the EDI Committee.
  • Are you a youth tired of virtual Zoom classes and want to find enriching ways of connection or need volunteer hours for school? Join YASEER Youth Volunteers 

LEARN 

  • Learn about racial injustice from a spiritual lense. 
  • Curious about IAR’s partnership with several organizations on committing against systemic racism? ONE Wake 

SUPPORT

    • Follow us on social media and spread the word. @RaleighMasjid (list icons) 

Most importantly….Make dua, seek guidance through istikharah, and then GO! TAKE ACTION!

Allah states that He ‘will not change the condition of people unless they change what is in themselves’. Our dear brothers and sisters, ask yourself how might we begin the process of transformational community change?

We are delighted to highlight the amazing work of our community in this impact report. 

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