Secular Versus Islamic

1. Secular Versus Islamic Interplay of Various Parameters A.S. Hashim

2. What kind of World? • Physical: • Limited • Temporary • Spiritual: • Unlimited • Permanent • Mixed as Physical and Spiritual

3. Development of the Self • Within a few months of birth • Grows in family • Grows further in school and community • Sees differences in: • Being Religious or Secular • Behavior and Customs • Family Status

4. To Pursue • Depending on: • his genetics and • environmental Influence • a person can Pursue: • Secular Course • Spiritual Course • A Mixture of Partly Secular and Partly Spiritual of Variable Proportion

5. As a Consequence • The Path Taken Can be an Incentive: • to flourish and • innovate • But the Path Can be Negative: • Harmful and Damaging, and • Lead to Tyranny and Abuse of Power

6. Secular Identity • Built on Self-Interest • Motivation is Selfish • Greedy Demands • Can Lead to Power Overindulgence • May Lead to Corruption • Deals Indifferently with Various Faiths: • Religion is a Dilemma, Treated Lightly • Nationality Supersedes Other Identities • Appointing People of Dubious Character

7. Islamic Identity • Deals with Psychological Framework • Very Basic and Fundamental • If it is Islamic: • Belief Mandating Good Behavior • Less Corruption • Motivation is for Personal Integrity (العدل) • Deals Tolerantly with Various Faiths: • Secularism is a Dilemma, Discouraged • Nationality Accepted • Appointing People of Good Character

8. Before the Seventies • Islamicly: • Marginalized • Moving Toward Secularism • Secular Powers: • Superceding Other Identities • Alliances with Other Powers to Rule • People: • Murmuring in Discontent • Scared to Express their Islamic Alienation

9. By the Seventies • A Man of Remarkable Courage Spoke out • Awakened the Dormant Islamic Identity • Persisted in his Call for the Magnificent Change • Suffered Personally and in his Family • The Call Awakened the Religious Spirit in: • His Country • Regionally • World-Wide

10. Focused on Islamic Identity • Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or Sunni • Educate yourself about your Conviction • Focus on the Upcoming Generation • Express yourself with Conviction and Vigor • Talk with Confidence and with Pride

11. The Effect: • Like a Volcano: • The Call Triumphed Over Secularism • Established a Proud and Stable Administration • Induced High Religious and National Pride • Like a mountain: • Resisted Local Attacks: The Press or Otherwise • Undid War Against Islam • Withstood World Press Attacks • Moved Forward to Enhance the Country

12. Spillover Influence • Locally: The Country of Origin • Regionally: Middle East • World-Wide: Mainly the West • Washington Area: Potomac Maryland

13. Statistics as of 1996: SHI’A ……………………………………… …..…….. 282 Millions SUNNI • Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Millions • Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Millions • Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Millions • Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Millions

14. 1. Local Influence • Pride in Islam and Islamic Doctrine • Systematically Improving the Lot of Citizens • Tolerated the Complaining Shi’a: • Explosion of Islamic Information • Shi’a are a Complaining People by Nature • Shi’a are Crying-Happy People • Shi’a are Self-Hitting and Chest Beating People

15. 2. Middle-East Influence • Coming back to Islam • Attempts to better understand Islam • Polarization of the Islamic versus the secular powers • The Media of regional Areas bundle up Against him

16. 3. Global Influence • The World Responded Gradually • Awakening of the Deep Religious Feelings • Extremes Could Show up, Understandable • World Denies him his Due Worth • The World Refuses to Acknowledge his Influence • Politically: He Stood Unmovable • Religiously: Steadfast and Resolute

17. 4. Washington Area: Potomac • The IEC is initiated, registered, and incorporated • IEC Bought the Property • Mostazafan Foundation buys the IEC • IEC grows steadily, nourished by the new Islamic Fervor • Despite the Ups and Downs, IEC Continues to Grow Steadily

18. IEC holds on Heritage • Ghadeer Khum • Ashuraa • Ramadhan Du’aas (Supplications) • Celebration of Birthdays of the Prophet and the 12 Imams • Haj Services and Visitations of the Shrines • Reading special Du’aas (Supplications) at different occasions.

19. IEC Remembers Al-Baaqir

20. IEC and Cultural Identity • Hold to your ways but be discerning • Make effort to befriend people of your nationality • Be friendly to Americans • Explain your ways with pride to Americans • Frequent and consistent visits to Islamic Centers

21. IEC and Nationalistic Identity • Speak your language with parents • Teach children Arabic as well as your own language • Celebrate your usual national holidays • Attend meetings catering to your national aspirations

22. IEC Recognizes opportunity in America • The US is your host country that gives you freedom of expression and work opportunity • As its guest you ought to: • respect the ways fit for the Americans, but • keep your ways intact and sound • Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of your goals and aims

23. The Explosion of Influence • Because of His: • Vision • Courage • Tenacity • Obstinacy • Splendid Dedication • Who is This Man?

24. Who is This Man? • Saddam Hussein • Imam Ali • Imam Al-Husain • Khumaini • The Shah • Haroon Al-Rasheed • Khoe • Sistani

25. Finally Let us Read Surah al-Asr Together

26. Thank you and may Allah Bless you Be in Allah’s Care Dr. A.S. Hashim