Generation Islam
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generation Islam is a grass-roots nonprofit organization whose members are North American born/raised Muslims ('second gens') and North American converts to Islam. The organization was formed in September,2006 as a tool to give moderate North American homegrown Muslims (the "silent majority") a voice, a supportive community and a means for effecting change towards creating a more inclusive and moderate masjid environment. Members are known as genIs and the group uses a lowercase g in its name generation Islam.
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[edit] Mission, Vision and Objectives
[edit] The Mission
- The group's website says: "The mission of generation Islam is to support the needs of Muslims born or raised in North America. We will fulfill this mission by providing a network of open dialogue, communication and support in order to ascertain and address their specific needs at the local, regional and national levels."[1]
[edit] The Vision
- According to the group, their vision, or long-range goal is: "generation Islam will be a widespread network of North American born Muslims, both second generation and converts, which will give that silent majority a voice in the continued evolution of Muslim society in North America, creating institutions which are genuinely inclusive and fostering an environment which is both authentically Muslim and comfortably North American." [2]
[edit] The Objectives
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- To ascertain the needs of North American born or raised Muslims through open dialog and discussion
- To give a platform for North American Muslims to connect, support one another, voice their concerns and take collective action in order to address these matters
- To foster an environment where women are encouraged to take a spiritually equal and significant role in our masjids and communities and to assure prayer space for women that is conducive to Islam
- To promote an environment that draws our youth into Islam through fellowship to stem the tide of alienation
- To support critical Islamic study and scholarship for our homegrowns in order to ensure our future leaders are well equipped for the challenges we face as a community in North America
- To bridge the gap between the generations through intercultural and intergenerational dialogue
- To provide a springboard for identifying and defining the North American born or raised Muslim and to understand their challenges and needs
- To transform the negative image that Muslims have in North American society by encouraging random acts of kindness and by creating initiatives that benefit the entire North American society
- To provide guidance to receptive masjids on how to implement ideas and projects which address the needs of North Americans
- To define the Model Masjid by understanding the context in which we live and through a critical study of history
- To align ourselves with organizations which support our mission and objectives
- To ultimately ensure the growth of widespread moderate centers/masjids for North American born or raised Muslims [3]
[edit] History
The generation Islam movement was formed in September,2006 by a chance meeting between co-founders Rabia Saeed and Dr. Jeffrey Lang following one of Dr. Lang's speeches in New Jersey. Mrs. Saeed approached Dr. Lang with a very rough outline of an organization that had been brewing in her mind for several years, and which was partly inspired by Dr. Lang's book Losing My Religion. Dr. Lang encouraged her to get started and signed on as an advisor to the project. The organization began as a Yahoo group, which grew to 100 members within two months of its debut. generation Islam quickly moved to their own site and forum located at http://www.generationislam.com. In December, 2006 respected scholar Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl joined generation Islam's Advisory Council along with Dr. Lang.[4]
[edit] Values
The core values of generation Islam are based on solid Islamic and North American shared values, and include:
- Perseverance
- Teamwork
- Compassion
- Diversity
- Honesty
- Critical Thinking
- Moderation
- Self-Awareness
[edit] Membership
generation Islam members are known as genIs.
[edit] Second Gens and Converts
generation Islam's members, community leaders and board of directors are Muslims born or raised in North America ("second gens") and converts to Islam in North America. The group has a forum for genI's to engage in open discussions, get to know one another, to listen to the community's needs and to start working on solutions. [6]
[edit] First Gens
First generation immigrants in North America ("first gens") who are concerned with the next generation, the youth, the converts and the future of Islam in North America are encouraged to post in the public (non-member) forum Intergenerational Bridge and Intercultural Learning. [7] First gens are eligible for Advisory Council positions and are appointed by the Board of Directors.
[edit] Non-Muslims (Interfaith)
Interfaith conversations are important to many members of generation Islam as many of the members personally have interfaith extended families. A public (non-member) area for Interfaith Understanding is provided on the group's forum. [8]
