Ads by Muslim Ad Network

Islamophobia & the Modern Psychological Battle of Badr

A Counselor's Take on the Current Challenges Facing Muslims in the West

What Should the Muslim Community Do?

As a community, we need to reach out to others who may be elderly, disabled, single moms and so forth to ensure they are okay.

There are a lot of emotions going around right now, and we must be cognizant of those who may be in need.

Starting a telephone tree or a visiting team may be valuable to some of our brothers and sisters.

Masjids should reach out to other interfaith communities for support and community meetings.

We need to have more educational gatherings in which we can talk about our feelings, our fears, our ideas, and solutions.

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

16219891328_bc1e0dccbb_o

For instance, perhaps a community may need a class on constitutional law (101) so people know their rights.

Classes on safety, communication, dawah, and imaan would be helpful.

Masjids should be open as much as possible to allow Muslims to come to pray, to hold classes, as well as form support groups for those going through trauma, depression, or fear.

Those who work in the Human Services field should be available for counseling. Masjids may wish to have an “Invite a Neighbor Day”.

These invitations may teach the community about Islam and may serve as the beginning of interfaith dialogues.

When conducting our daily business, whether in school, work, or other activities, we may come across unpleasant interactions.

It will be especially important how we respond, how calm we remain, how effectively we communicate and importantly, how to be safe; we can either turn the experience into a positive one or a negative one depending on our skills and comfort level.

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, we can connect with and learn from our Palestinian and Syrian brothers and sisters (and others) who have been suffering for decades under brutal, oppressive occupational regimes.

They have suffered to such degrees that are indescribable.

Now it is our test, Insha’Allah, we will grow from it, become better Muslims and step into the light and love of Islam, fearing none but Allah; and Insha’Allah while we are striving to be humble, kind yet strong like our beloved Prophet (PBUH), may we be pleasing to Allah SWT.

“Remember when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, “Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.”   Qur’an  8:9 (4)

***

The article is from the archive and is highlighted for its importance.

Pages: 1 2
About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.