There is Room for All!

By Ismael Mukhtar 

Imam Al-Ghazali, in his journey of searching for reality, notes that he made an effort to put himself in the shoes of proponents of other perspectives in order to gain a better understanding of their positions.

Having been in a leadership position in a diverse community, I came to see firsthand that the most challenging aspect of a community is to foster an approach where people make efforts to understand the other, rather than living in their own world where “my views,” “my needs,” and “my priorities” only matter.

Everyone seems to see their perspective as more genuine than others.

The mosque regulars who attend Fajr and Isha see their perspectives as more important than those who are casuals because of their regular presence.

Youth who are born in Canada see their outlook as more genuine than newcomers because they have deeper roots.

Recent immigrants see their views as more authentic because their understanding is “fresh” and not “diluted” by a long stay in “non-Muslim” societies.

“Salafis” see their perspective as more genuine because they deem themselves to be true followers of “Sunnah” and “Salaf.”

“Sufis” see themselves as more authentic because they have deeper insights into the revealed text.

“Reformers” see their positions as more relevant because they are free thinkers and have no old baggage, etc.

I think this is a zero-sum situation.

If everyone makes an effort to “understand” before seeking to be “understood,” we will probably have a better world, where people can communicate better; empathize rather than ridicule; include rather than exclude; think “we” rather than “I”; think universal rather than provincial; dialogue rather than attack; find meaningful alternatives rather than ostracizing; welcome rather than alienate...!

Ismael Ibrahim Mukhtar has been one of the key leaders of the Manitoba Muslim community for over three decades. His extensive and wide-ranging community contributions include serving as president of the Manitoba Islamic Association, vice-president of the Muslim Student Association, editor-in-chief of the Manitoba Muslim Magazine, volunteer imam, and counsellor. He is an Islamic scholar, regularly lecturing and writing on Muslim issues.