ISLAM GROWS IN AMERICA BY ITS BEAUTY: SCHOLAR
Jakarta, 27 Shawwal 1436/12 August 2015 (MINA) – The leader (Imam) of Jamaica Muslim Center, New York, Shamsi Ali said Islam is growing rapidly in the United States because of its beauty of teachings.
“The beauty of Islam is perceived by Americans. Firstly, Its started with the Americans who are always oriented toward progress and development, Islam also teaches the progress and development. Secondly, Islam respects to all people. Thirdly, Islam respects Human Rights (HAM), especially women,” he said in a discussion themed “Experiencing Islam in America” in Jakarta, Tuesday.
The Muslim scholar who was chosen as one of the five hundred most influential Muslims in the world also said that after the 9, 11 tragedy in US, Islam has been growing four-fold if compared to prvious years.
Shamsi said, before the tragedy, Islam developed in US just about 5000 people per year, but after that, Islam has been growing as many as 20,000 followers per year.
“Muslims were accused as terrorist, than many people see the Koran, and they found that there is no one word ‘terror’ in the Koran, but they found wisdom and wise, that’s why the Koran changes US citizens,” he argued.
“Nowadays, Islam is getting known and understood by various communities and also government’s officials. Many state officials in the United States are Muslim,” he said.
The man who originally from Indonesia also said that the existence of Islamophobia in America because of the ignorance about Islam itself. The biggest challenge for us is to give right explanations to US citizens.
“To counter Islamophobia, we must strengthen the faith, don’t deal it with anger because Islam teaches noble characters,” he said.
The discussion was also attended by Indonesia famous Muslim scholar KH. Abdullah Gymnastiar “Aa Gym”, and Ustad Yusuf Mansur, housed in @ America Pacific Place Mall, Jakarta. (L / P008 / R03)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
