Lead-Change, Yes....

*You must be the change you wish to see in the world.*

The lesson in this Mahatma Gandhi quote is one of the most useful things you
can learn in terms of personal development. Often with good intentions
people try and change others without first working on themselves. Trying to
change other people is often a futile exercise that just annoys them. It
leads to frustration and conflict. If the issue at hand is important to you
then change the way you are first. Change the way you are without any
conditions attached. Do this without expectation that the other person will
also change. When you are an example of this new way of being it will
transfer to others.

auf Wiedersehen, Salaams y Namaste,

Naeem

Salam,


I think that ultimately initiative is naturally taken by an individual who feel some passion to change the status quo. The methodology undertaken to adopt such change, however, is key.


The idea is not for change to be "adopted" by the group after the fact but rather for the group to be involved in determining the direction of change. The goal is not "wider impact" but the empowerment of members of the group, the assurance that the solution for change is actually one that the community agrees with. The opposite results in a few in positions of leadership creating a direction for change and then exerting their energy to get everyone involved albeit unsuccessfully. We expend a considerable amount of energy trying to "get people involved". This would not happen if people were active in deciding what the change would be.


The question you pose is interesting because it potentially forces us to generalize about the community as a whole. There is not one group dynamic or type of community gathering or group. The so-called "organized" muslim community i.e. most mosques, organizations, so-called "movements" etc. are predominantly top-down run entities with dictatorial, albeit kind, leadership. I have theories about why this is the case: 1) Immigrant male leadership often patterns the leadership "style" prevalent in their countries of origin. This leadership style is largely dictatorial. There are very few opportunities for these leaders to have learnt more democratic, flat, participatory forms of leadership; 2) There is very little trust of the average community member. Case in point is when I ran a community organizing campaign to engage 250 members of the Muslim community to determine the programmatic direction of a new Islamic Center in the heart of the city. Our goal was three-fold: 1) Create a relational culture in the new center - a sense of community, 2) Empower a large spectrum of community members in developing the programs and objectives of the center, 3) Develop priorities for future action.


We built one on one relationships with 40 informal/non-traditional leaders (teens, college students, converts, women, non-arabs/south-asians etc.) as well as a few traditional leaders. We trained them to run house meetings and asked them to host meetings of 10 - 12 friends and family members where they asked two questions: 1) What are you struggling with as a Muslim in Boston, 2) What should we do as a community to address this issue. The traditional leadership of the Center was skeptical. They felt that a) they already knew what the community wanted and needed and just had to work on 'getting the community on-board'; b) the community could not be trusted to come up with programs - wouldn't they come up with outlandish or extremist ideas that would differ with the mission and values? It was too much of a risk. On the other hand, the community members were also skeptical. They had never experienced a chance to lead and determine the direction of an organization. They didn't trust that the board would actually allow them to decide what their community should look like. As the community organizer leading the project I was in a tough position. How do I continue to empower the people and motivate around this campaign when they didn't believe that the board was "on-board". On the other hand I had to really organize around the board to convince them to really throw their support behind this initiative.


In any case to cut a long story short, yes the existing dynamics in most (but not all) of the organized community is a deterrent. But this is really only a small percentage of the actual community. Everyone knows and is friends with someone who is not in a leadership position at all but is frustrated and maybe angry about existing dynamics. There are tons of Muslims who don't attend the mosque and want change to happen but no one is organizing them. It is not appropriate for a small group to develop the change direction and then ask these people to get on board. As leaders the better thing to do would be to engage these other frustrated, yet unempowered souls. Ask them what they think the problem is and how it should be changed. Build relationships, conduct house meetings, and develop strategies with these people. Act as a facilitator and let the vision be a truly shared one. Empower the average Muslim to come together with others to create the kind of change they want to see. In some sense the existing group dynamics are extremely favorable for an effort like this. We aren't the only people who see the problems and want to change them.


Here is what I see happening:


Step 1: Train a number of people/leaders in community organizing.

Step 2: Build relationships among this trained group.

Step 3: Conduct a series of house meetings where we ask people (lots and lots of random, frustrated people): What do you think needs to change in the Muslim community? How can we work together to do that? Take notes of the issues that are mentioned as well as the assets/resources that are reflected in the answers to the second question.

Step 4: Bring together as many people as want to attend to see what the issues were that came up in the various house meetings. Use this gathering to have people build relationships between themselves.

Step 5: Invite as many people as would like, to prioritize these issues together. Invite them back to a strategy meeting where the plan for addressing the issues will be developed.


What will happen: a) people will self-select based on commitment. Less committed people will not keep coming back to each step. That's fine - they are choosing not to. b) People who can commit will be excited and motivated because these issues came from them and are what they are passionate about. c) We will be sure that these are the right issues because they are the issues that are identified at all levels of the community, not just at a leadership level. The issue in generating issues only from the leadership level is that leaders have a certain perspective. They attempt to view the community externally and politically and generate priorities that relate to Public Relations, Growth, Civic Engagement etc. These things are important but when you include all ranges of involvement people uncover issues that leaders often don't think of because leaders are generally more empowered than the average community member.


This philosophy of complete community involvement may itself be "the change" that we want to see...anyway obviously I'm an organizer so I'm extremely biased in that regard :). Please try to see the video: Holding Ground (about the Dudley St. Neighborhood Intiative)...and I'd love to share more about the wonderful, motivating experience I had with trying to organize this Center...and other Organizing experiences with Interfaith Organizing and Industrial Areas Foundation (Saul Alinsky's org. etc.).


Salam,
Aisha :)

Salam all,

I think the discussion on change in the past week or so has been great, and it did in fact bring up a number of good points. But, I wanted also to solicit your opinion on a matter that sometimes comes up parallel to such discussions which is as follows:

When we talk about change, we sometimes wonder how much of the responsibility rests with the individual vs. "the group!" It is true that - eventually - for any change to be meaningful, it has to be adopted by a "group" so that it would have a wider impact. But, how do you see the group dynamics currently in America; is it helping or stifling change? And are our community getherings and groups actually promoting or stifling innovation and initiative of change to fix what is wrong with our situation? Who should take the initiave, the group or the individual?

AA,
Iyad.

Ditto to what Aisha said.


I just want to comment on the notion of gradualism. To be gradual doesn't
mean to be slow. It should mean to not skip stages of development. Some
people, though, try to justify their lack of action or progress by claiming
that they are gradual. Some people fear any abrupt change regardless of the
scope. If the scope of our aspired change is big, then we may want to make
some serious abrupt changes at some lower levels. For example, you can't be
a doctor without going to med school and you have to pass MCAT and do your
premed to go to med school. You can't skip stages. However, if you decide to
go to med school you may want to start saving money and hence making abrupt
changes to your finances. You may want to make abrupt changes to your life
style. You may want to move to a cheaper place. If someone is observing,
they may be terrified that you are making all these changes at once but the
truth of the matter is that you have a gradual approach to reach your goal.


Salam,


Ayman.

What won't work is a few leaders in a room planning change on behalf of a community then working to get people on board. The community as a whole must engage in a participatory fashion in determining/agreeing that change is needed and the direction of change desired.

Get more grassroots. Community organizing for the win!

First, the question you ask shows a bias in the very way it is asked. The latter part of the question is detailed, while the former part of the question is vague, thus likely to be rejected.

I applaud the notion of the question, nonetheless, and the dialogue is healthy.

I would like to applaud Dr. Omeish's strong stance for change, now. What is needed here is strong leadership in the community, and that leadership may not be popular, but necessary. We need to stop making excuses and act swiftly and with certainty.

Hasn't the "gradual steps" plan already proven a failure...over several generations? Our community doesn't need more time, it needs to be honest with itself. The change is so overdue, it simply shouldn't be a part of the debate. The question is not how fast the change needs to occur (it needed to occur at least a generation ago), but how, through whom and with what message?

What does our community need to absorb? The fact that the countries that our parents' came from (the Middle East, the Far East and Africa) continue to mire in repressive states that rule in the name of Islam? Are we trying to replicate that here in the U.S., or did we come here to be free and practice our own personal Islam, as a minority, and try to improve the future opportunities for our children?

There is no unity to strive for in the community, other than being American. We are not Arab, Asian, or Egyptian or Palestinian, etc. We are Americans, who are Muslim. We need to define for the community what it is to be American, define its ideals (separation of religion and state, fundamental freedoms, capitalism, etc), and those who do not like America's ideals should venture back to the lands of their fathers.

This is a secular nation, with secular laws, which protect a inherently religious citizenry. Is there a better place to live and practice our faith?

To speak of any other unity not only fails to see the obvious, but fails the community. This so-called "unity" has been translated to isolation, and with it stagnation and a thus a breeding ground for extremism. This must stop now, and we need to bring the community off the island, and into the mainstream American fabric. None of these notions of Americanism are counter to Islam or ethnicity, and if someone is saying different, then he/she need be held accountable.

I suggest you start with the notion of Ishtihad, amongst many others, and take on the rigid 1st generation that has such a tight grip on how Islam is practiced in America and how the community is lead by fear and victimhood. If you are not willing to take on the religious establishment in the community, because we all know who controls it, then you fail from the start.

On that note, when Dr. Ghannouchi refers to civic engagement, this is necessary, but it is not the first step. How our religion is taught and practiced is the crucial first step at hand for change. When that lion is defeated, then the natural next step is civic engagement as a process of change and evolution in the community. How is the community going to engage in civics now....those who are speaking for us presently certainly don't speak for me....do they for you?

Finally, enough with the Arabic...we all speak it from our past, but it has no place in this discussion. We must pass the language on to our kids to make bi-lingual (giving them unique skills) and thus appreciate our history, but we speak English as our primary language here in America. Let's practice what we preach.

Salaam :)

Thank you for this discussion. I agree with Imran. I feel that as much as we discuss this question, only actions will dictate what the outcome will truly be. I feel that even if I, Dunia, wanted a paradigm-shift in my community's mentality, as much as I try, I cannot make it happen to the community. I feel that we have a mentality that we can somehow force a community into something and therefore either break it or make it change immediately - none of us has that power :-) for there is no God but Allah.

Individuals and mentalities will inshallah change one by one, over time. The way to change an individual is to be an example yourself and then discuss your path with others - get out there and get engaged, discuss it with those closest to you, and see who will be interested in joining. For some people it will take time and for others, it will be an immediate shift in paradigm. As for the entire community, only Allah knows.

Nobody should have a mentality that is forceful or wishes to force its opinions on others - to either shape up or ship out, so to speak. There is no compulsion in religion and there should not be in anything else. You state the path you feel is right and the other is free to accept it or not.

It is most important we are united on the bases of what it means to be a Muslim and not exclude one another because of different ways of thinking. We need to socialize with all and visit and love one another because we are Muslims. As to how to work in this country, what path to take, it is OK if Muslims take different paths, for we are people. Does it matter if we are Republicans or Democrats? Or some people's comfort zone is to work only with Muslims and for others, it is to branch out? If any one type is on the true path, then a paradigm shift in mentality will happen primarily through example and competing in good works.

As for that timeline, only Allah knows!

Dunia

Bismillah

Assalamu alaikum,

True and meaningful change will happen when we experience paradigm shifts within ourselves as individuals first. Communities are made up of individuals, and organized communities are made up of organized individuals. What America does impacts the world, and what Muslims in America will do will impact Muslims worldwide. I think a mentality shift for Muslims in this country (especially those of us who refer to ourselves as activists) is long overdue. I also think that this mentality shift has little to do with religious verdicts and/or interpretations/understandings. It is a shift from "dream land" to reality. I think we need Muslim health care professionals and doctors to solve our current healthcare debate and be at the forefront of reform. We need Muslim scientists to step up to the plate and speak in reference to nuclear weaponry and disarmament. We need Muslim educators and teachers to speak up and act in regards to failing public schools in our country and a broken educational system that has a pathetic ranking among industrialized/developed countries in the world. These areas are where real work is needed, and unfortunately where Muslims in general are nowhere to be found. On a positive note, I think that a generation of qualified Muslim professionals, who are in remembrance of Allah (swt), has arisen. As Obama stated, "we are the ones we have been waiting for." I think we just need to organize and move...

Your brother,

Imran Khan

AA

Please read all of the comments on this CNN post about the influence of the Latino community on the USA culture, politics, ..etc.

http://tinyurl.com/yfsgtm9


Is very relevant. it is a case study that can help us see that a very deep understanding have to be taken into consideration when talking about influence, impact, change..etc.

And remember, that political power is not derived only from being involved in politics.

CHANGE in any field have a domino affect on other fields. Social, religious, economical changes all lead to influence public policy and politics.

And forgive me for not checking the spelling mistakes in the previous email ;)

JAK
Fady

AA All

Jazakum Allah Khairan for your question. I really can write a who report or research papre on this. So forgive me for the length of the lines below. However, I will try ot be brief.

To answer this question, a more deep reflection is needed. The options below are not a "one size fits all" as if we have to adopt one or another. The environment we live in is very complex and every peice of the puzzle might need a different approcah, and it needs a sophisticated approach.

The most important thing is to understand: what is the Muslim community that we keep refering to? what is the change we want to achieve and in which fields? and what are teh challanges facing us from reaching this change and how can we deal with them?

First: few important questions before the conclusion:

1- What kind of change do we need the muslim community to advocate for? is it spiritual, social, political, ...etc.

Our call have to be specific, calling for broad changes to be relevant, to influence, or to impact will take us no where. The broad call for "change" takes its place as a phase to motivate people; however, the truth is that this broad call have to boil down to something specific that touches the hearst and minds of people in a continuous fashion. Translation, i.e.: changing within certain areas: changes in Social welfare = means establishing social services programs through charities; political influence/impact = policy influence through political grass root participation-lobbying work, and holding public offices; Advocay = civic engagement to protect the human dignity and rights, etc.


2- What is the reality of the Muslims community?
Given its current harsh reality, which many Muslims do not even realize the scope of the crises we are living in, we have to prioritize our focus.

We are living in a system that is [from the outside] capitalist, secular, very diverse with mixture of tens if not hundrads of different religions, ..etc.

From the inside: the 7 or 8 million Muslims, are divided as Sunni, about 1 million Shi3i's, Ismaili's, ...etc. From the 5-6 Million sunni's, they are divded baased on race as 30 % African American Muslim community which is living on its own, 60 % of Arab-Indo Pak community who is in continuous struggle to conrtol the Masajid.

Not only that, the same community [whether African American Muslim comunity or the the Arab/Indo Pak community] are divided into socail classes based on whealth. The poor class- lower income- have no means to particpate in the change process as they are struggling day in and day out to bring a meal to the table, raise the kids as single parents, try to avoid the social problems associated with living in the poorest neighborhoods -drugs, violence, crime, depression, ..etc. While the very wealth class is busy maintaining their wealth. The middl class - which we count on for the change we need- are divided among other issues of relvance to their backgounds: Religion, culture, education, political views, ...etc. And as we zoomed all the way from the 7-8 millions, allthe way to the middle call who we hope they can be part of the change we want, we are taking about a very small pecentage.
BTW: I forgot to include the secular portion of our community who have melted in the society, with no regards to a cause, or need to belong to the Muslim community.

Not only all of those divisions: Their are way more serious issues: Lack of leadership: failing of Muslim organizations promise to deliver, Muslims working against the Muslim communtiy, Islamophobes working against Islam, lobbying influence by some communities against ISlam and Muslims, and officials who think that Islam is threat to christianity, and Islam needs to be erassed from the Americans life and the list goes on.

If the system that we live is not understood, how will our leaders move us into a direction that we can have a REAL change?

Religiously: Islam is being portraied by our leaders baised on their influence by foriegn understanding from over seas: Tahreery, Ikhwany, Tableeghy, Salafi,...etc, were none fit within the USA period.

We lack strong religious direction that helps people understand Islam in its pure form and translate it into practical programs on the grounds of the USA. The current 3500-4000 Muslim organizations [Masajid, schools, centers, organizations ...etc] have about 500-700 religious leaders whom are mainly immigrants with no understanding of the USA reality nor they are qualified to move the community spiritually in a direction to understand Islam within the current context. They are still living with the hundrads of years old Ijtihads or Fatwas about the relations between Muslims and non Muslims, the level of women engagement, the need for political change, the role of the Muslim in contributing to the civilizations, ...etc. that needs to be upgraded to accomdat the current reality. [new fiqh of reality, fiqh of change, ...etc]

Politically: The very few from our community who are interested in politics or public policy are divded based on tens of issues: forigen policy, immigration, participation in government, holding public office, party affiliations, etc. So not only we are a very small minority, the more we zoom in on issue to work collectively to solve it, we find the Muslims communit divded more than ever. Politically, the Muslim communit is also divided by the current USA wars and engagement in the Muslim based nations.

Socially: Very few of our community feel the real need to be active participants in elevating any harm from the path of our fellow citizens. We are humans, humans are not perfect, so are the systems we creat, Therefore, our conditions can always be improved, and Muslims are encouraged always to improve on a daily basis on all fields of life, and to improve the lives of others as well. [Refer to the 5 Maqased Al-Sharee3a - goals of the Islamic Legislations]. Through my past work on the Muslim American Answer the call campaign, I can tell tha there are some Muslim - who are not religious committed- who have more influence in the socail field than religious Muslims.

Enough about our status as a community, to move,

IS there a chance for political, social, and religios reform in the USA and within the Muslim community? The answer is yes.

Can we over come all of the problems above? Insha-Allah we will, but we have to find the right approach with each community, work on their needs, and connect all communities through major themes and goals.

SO gradual change in some area, paradign shift into other area, and there are some areas that can be fixed temporary, there are things that we have to eliminate nad contain, there are things that we need to ignore and deal with it in the near future, ...etc

And Allah Knows Best, but insha-Allah in the near future, in another email, I will share few stories of success of how to achieve change in some areas.

JAK
Fady