With the recent departue of the Arabic-only speaking religious leader, a local Mosque is now presented with an opportunity, unlike any other, to switch to an English-only prayer service. Community members have been asking and harping on this for quite sometime, and the time is ripe.
Of course, you will have the financial backers and older generation that will want to leave the sermons in Arabic. They are born in Arabic speaking countries, spoke Arabic growing up, and are accustomed to Arabic sermons. However, they are already "good" Muslims. Because of their background and upbringing; they know Islam quite well and don't really "need" the sermons; they are there out of religious obligation.
The new generation of young Muslims, born and raised in America, do not have as strong a background in Arabic, and despite all of our efforts, will learn better from English sermons.
While ToledoMuslims.com does not like to tell local Mosques what to do or what our opinion is; it is difficult to remain silent and allow, yet another generation of youth and children, to fizzle away.
Surely, one can argue that, with the departure of a very fluent and eloquent Arabic-only speaking Imam, it will be difficult for the public to accept an immediate switch to another language. In this time of change, turmoil and turnover, everyone wants to keep as many things unchanged and unrattled as possible. However, the problem with this line of thinking is that once the public gets into a habit and becomes accustomed to a new Arabic-only sermon, change will become ever more difficult. We will end up stuck in the same rut as before.
Hence, ToledoMuslims.com recommends the immediate switch to English-only prayer services. Politics, personal aggrandizement and ego should play no role in the decision making process that will affect many generations of Toledo Muslim youth.
Further, speaking in Arabic shuns away America's non-Arab Muslims. The African Americans, Pakistanis, and other Muslims who do not speak Arabic, will feel alientated and will not feel welcome. The stratification of classes or races will continue to occur. For many years, MSF has been known as the "Arab Mosque", now a tremendous opportunity has opened up to help change that image.
Further, the question must be asked, "Isn't the point of Muslims being in America to invite others and share our great faith?" Is that no longer an important objective? Aren't Muslims supposed to share Islam with others and invite others to learn and become educated about Islam? We are not talking about proselytizing; just plain education. If you can't even bring a non-Muslim to your local Friday sermon, and have him or her understand the sermon directly, what are we really gaining?
We feel strongly that MSF needs to invest its resources, energy and sweat in finding a solution to this ballooning disaster. This does not necessarily mean finding a new "Imam" to fill the vacant position, but rather, drawing on the many resources around us. We are not necessarily recommending a permanent position to solve this dilemma. Most successful Mosques in America no longer have a full-time Imam position, but rather, rotating speakers and rotating points of view. The finest example of this is Islamic Foundation Mosque in Villa Park, Illinois.
The MSA National website has a long list of speakers that speak in English that can be utilized. They are all from the Midwest, Michigan and very nearby localities. They would all accept the opportunity and chance to speak to our audience. Only then, can the future generation be saved from imminent extinction.
Note: The views expressed in these articles does not necessarily represent the views of Muslims in Toledo, Ohio nor the views of ToledoMuslims.com, it's staff, owners, editors, webmaster, or writers. The views expressed represent the views of the writer only. ToledoMuslims.com is not responsible for any of the expressed views. Please feel free to comment on our articles in the article discussion area provided.
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