Epigraph:
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:7-9)
Source: Los Angeles Time
Op-Ed by President Barack Obama on Feb 17, 2014
The United States has made significant gains against terrorism. We’ve decimated the core al Qaeda leadership, strengthened homeland security and worked to prevent another large-scale attack like 9/11.
At the same time, the threat has evolved. The al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen actively plots against us. Since 9/11, terrorists have murdered U.S. citizens overseas, including in the attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Here in the United States, Americans have been killed at Ft. Hood and during the Boston Marathon.
In Syria and Iraq, the terrorist group we call ISIL has slaughtered innocent civilians and murdered hostages, including Americans, and has spread its barbarism to Libya with the murder of Egyptian Christians. In recent months, we’ve seen deadly attacks in Ottawa, Sydney, Paris and Copenhagen.
Elsewhere, the Pakistan Taliban massacred more than 100 schoolchildren and their teachers. From Somalia, al-Shabaab has launched attacks across East Africa. In Nigeria and neighboring countries, Boko Haram kills and kidnaps men, women and children.
In the face of this challenge, we must stand united internationally and here at home. We know that military force alone cannot solve this problem. Nor can we simply take out terrorists who kill innocent civilians. We also have to confront the violent extremists — the propagandists, recruiters and enablers — who may not directly engage in terrorist acts themselves, but who radicalize, recruit and incite others to do so.
This week, we’ll take an important step forward as governments, civil society groups and community leaders from more than 60 nations gather in Washington for a global summit on countering violent extremism. Our focus will be on empowering local communities.
Groups like al Qaeda and ISIL promote a twisted interpretation of religion that is rejected by the overwhelming majority of the world’s Muslims. The world must continue to lift up the voices of Muslim clerics and scholars who teach the true peaceful nature of Islam. We can echo the testimonies of former extremists who know how terrorists betray Islam. We can help Muslim entrepreneurs and youths work with the private sector to develop social media tools to counter extremist narratives on the Internet.
Our campaign to prevent people around the world from being radicalized to violence is ultimately a battle for hearts and minds.
We know from experience that the best way to protect people, especially young people, from falling into the grip of violent extremists is the support of their family, friends, teachers and faith leaders. At this week’s summit, community leaders from Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Boston will highlight innovative partnerships in their cities that are helping empower communities to protect their loved ones from extremist ideologies.
More broadly, groups like al Qaeda and ISIL exploit the anger that festers when people feel that injustice and corruption leave them with no chance of improving their lives. The world has to offer today’s youth something better.
I think Op-Ed is risky business for the President.
FOX news will be checking the grammar of the article and will let us know about the mistakes and then rather than real life issues they will spend a week on pros and cons of good grammar.
Inviting People With Wisdom And Beautiful Preaching
By: Dr. Norlain Dindang
slam as a perfect religion and a way of life gives us the best guidance on how to invite people to Islam in the most effective way. To be successful Du’ât, Allah I commands us to invite people to Islam with hikmah (wisdom) and beautiful preaching. Allah I says:
“Invite (all) to the Way of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” (16:125)
The above verse serves as the approach or methodology of doing Da’wah based on the Qur’an, which is the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.s). We, Du‘ât must follow the Prophet (s.a.w.s) how to invite people with hikmah and beautiful preaching.
1. Pray and aspire for eloquent speech and wisdom
2. Speak with confidence
3. Be friendly and show kindness in your approach
4. It is always best to invite people to Islam with kind words instead of evil words or bad language
6. Speak good words and do not insult
10. Explain the meaning, beauty and excellence of Islam: its rationality, completeness and practicality in the most logical and simple way. Always stress that indeed, Islam is easy. http://wisdomislamic.info/texts/Da%27wah_files/Da%27wahHikma.htm
Great President of a great Country.
Effective Public Speaking In Islam
Dr. Norlain bint Muhammad Dindang and Dr. Mamarinta-Omar Mababaya
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
April 14, 2004/ Rabi’ Al-Awal 24, 1425
1. Effective Public Speaking in Islâm: An Introduction
2. Basic Principles of Effective Public Speaking in Islâm
3. Guidelines on How to be a Successful Program Moderator
4. Useful Guidelines on Public Speaking
4.1 Improving Self Confidence
4.2 Organizing and Preparing the Speech
4.3 Platform Appearance, Conduct and Performance
5. Common Errors in Public Speaking and How to Overcome them from the Islamic Perspective
6. Wisdom Forum
Some Enlightening Khutbahs (Friday Sermons) O you who believe! Why say that which you do not? Grievously hateful is it in the sight of Allâh that you say that which you do not.”
(Qur‘an 61: 2-3)
Abû Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “I have been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy)…”
(Bukhâri 9/127)
Abdullah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said, “The best talk (speech) is Allâh’s Book (Qur’ân) and the best way is the way of Muhammad. And the worst matters are the heresies (those new things which are introduced into the religion). And whatever you have been promised will surely come to pass, and you cannot escape (it).”
(Bukhâri 9/382)
‘Abdullah Ibn Umar (r.a.) narrated that two men came from the East and addressed the people who wondered at their eloquent speeches. On that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “Some eloquent speech is as effective as magic.”
(Bukhâri 7/662)
Malik (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Who believes in Allâh and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e., abstain from dirty and evil talk, and should think before uttering).”
(Bukhâri 8/157)
http://wisdomislamic.info/publicspeaking.htm
Very Wise message from president Obama requires a follow up work also.