A HUGE CHANCES OF DA’WAH IN U.S: IMAM OF US MOSQUE

Jakarta, 15 Jumadil Awwal 1434/26 March 2013 (MINA) – The Imam of New York Islamic Center Mosque as well as Director of the Jamaica Muslim Center, Muhammad Ali said that the chances of da’wah in the United States of America is very huge and need many mubalighs (preachers).

“The chances of da’wah in it is very huge as well as the numbers of Americans who embraced Islam. They need the guidance of da’wah in order to lead them to understand and practice Islam, “Ali told Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) on Sunday (24/3) in Jakarta.

The man who is originally come from Indonesia said that right now the American converts increased fourfold after September 11, 2001 tragedy, which associated to Islam. It makes them want to know the truth. So they are keen to learn and finally embrace to Islam, he said.

Ali explained that the most important of those who embrace Islam is no longer the workers, and Afro-American, but they are professionals such as researchers, medicals, students, professors, politicians, military and so on.

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“The Americans people who embraced Islam nowadays are the academics and professionals. They studied Islam and discovered its truth,” said Ali.

The man who was chosen as one of five hundred most influential Muslims in the world confirmed that da’wah in U.S and other part of the world is the duty of Muslims. A Muslim should show the true face of Islam which is peaceful and compassion towards human beings.

“If nowadays, the world society are sick with the disease of materialism and worldly, then we should present in order to give them medicine to recover from their illness and find a true happiness,” said Ali.

Ali stated his optimistic that Islam in America will grow rapidly and became a part of American force for the better America.

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Today, American society in particular and the world society are devoted to the issue of same-sex marriage performed by some of its citizens. This is a phenomenon that should be the field of da’wah for Muslims. They need enlightenment and explanation to avoid damage as it was done by peoples in the past.

Syamsi Ali lives in New York and has been starting his da’wah in America since 1995. He actively manages several Islamic institutions in America and made several speeches and dialogues about Islam in churches and synagogues. He often gets the honor of an invitation from the U.S. government to provide religious services in their institutions.

In 2009, he was elected as one of five hundred most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in Jordan and Georgetown University.

Now, Shamsi Ali becomes an Imam at New York Islamic Center, the largest mosque in New York city. He is also a director of the Jamaica Muslim Center in eastern New York administered by the Muslim community of South Asia. Shamsi Ali is also active in interreligious communication in the United States, especially in the east coast of America.

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Islam becomes one of the fastest growing religions in the United States. In the year 2012 census, published in Mail Online revealed that the changing religion in the United States where the number of Muslims has swelled from 1.5 to 2.6 million people, or about 66 %, since 10 years after 11 September 2001 attacks. Meanwhile, according to USA Today reports, Muslim population in the U.S. increased fourfold from 2.6 million in 2010 to 9 million in 2012. It means that 10 % of the population in New York are Muslims. (L/P04/P015/P02/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)