Role of Muslim Communities and Islamic Institutions
in Highlighting the Image of Islam
Conditions of Muslim Communities in the Aftermath of September 11th Events
The consequences of the events of September 11th, 2001 affected the conditions of Muslim communities and minorities in the West in general. The repercussions of these events had a bearing on the role of Islamic institutions amidst Muslim communities in countries of emigration to serve Islam and Muslims and to strive to accentuate the image of Islam. This impact was so heavy that it defiled the reputation of the Islamic, educational and cultural work in the West and caused a great harm to the interests of the Islamic world.
The impact of the events of September 11th was all the more grave on the image of Islam in the West, since many circles, at the highest and lowest levels, started to mount smear campaigns against all that pertains to Islam everywhere, incomparably with how the situation had been before these events.
These campaigns are seriously escalating, which compels us to think over adjusting methods of work to the benefit of Muslim communities. The aim is to protect them, defend their interests and assist them in highlighting the veritable image of Islam.
The point is that it is absolutely necessary to redress the image of Islam within the Islamic world before thinking of highlighting it for non-Muslim societies. There is a fact which we ought to take as true: redressing the conditions of the Islamic Ummah, rationally managing their situations in conformity with the veritable principles of Islam which are founded on justice, concert, equality, respect of human rights and social justice, consolidating the Islamic solidarity, enhancing cooperation and coordination between Islamic countries, promoting science and developing scientific research and exhorting proficiency in work; such are the factors capable of rehabilitating the conditions of the Islamic world, strengthening the Muslim society and elevating it, fortifying the self, rising up to the level of coping with international new developments, such as might be dictated by political and intellectual maturity, open human perception and the autonomy that enables Muslim countries to stand up to their interests, defend their rights and preserve their potentialities, resources, sovereignty, independence and security of their territories.
In this way, Muslim communities in the West reflect the image of the Islamic world, and the Islamic institutions become endowed with effective means to work hand in hand with these communities to highlight the genuine image of Islam.
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