Inspiration and Spirituality

5 Good News Stories From the Muslim World

Published

October 2, 2013

No one can know the depth of pain and suffering that a true Muslim goes through. There are the usual ups and downs of life that every person on the planet goes through – failure, poverty, ill health and even death. There are the long term issues that worry anyone – economy, environment and quality of life. But for a Muslim that truly sees others across the globe as his or her brothers and sisters in Islam, there is so much more that makes us seem to be in a permanent state of depression. The news is bleak and it keeps getting bleaker.

It is important in times such as these to actively look for happier news coming from the Muslim world. This is not to distract ourselves from our very real problems, but to give us hope at a time when it is easy to fall into despair.

Here are 5 good news stories from the Muslim world:

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

The Sisters Fight Back

We are used to the clichéd stereotype of “the oppressed Muslim female.” She is supposed to sit there demurely while being alternately defended by enlightened others or oppressed by them – sometimes simultaneously. Well, lately, Muslim women seem to be flipping the script (I’ve always wanted to use that phrase.)

When a Muslim sister got fired by Abercrombie and Fitch for wearing the hijab, she decided she wasn’t about to let them get away with it. She took them to court and won her case for unfair dismissal. (Click here) In Birmingham, a college with many Muslim students decided to ban the Niqab. They even had the support of the Prime Minister. But the students campaigned against the ban and in a smart move; the college repealed the ban realizing it was fundamentally unpopular and unfair.

Muslim women are signaling that they are no longer going to let others oppress them in the name of freedom. And there are signs that people are listening. This advert from Canada speaks volumes about this growing self-confidence.

First Muslim Fraternity in the US

In American colleges there is a unique set of institutions called fraternities (or their female equivalent – sororities) that are essentially clubs for people with a shared set of ideals to socialize (or fraternize.) They are usually named after Greek letters and their objectives range from the noble to the debauched. Most of them get publicity for their depraved parties and almost masonic or cultish set of rituals used to bond members together.

So when word first spread about a Muslim fraternity being developed, there were many skeptics. Another bunch of youngsters seemed to be about to compromise Islamic values just so they could fit into campus life a bit better. Eyes prepared to roll, tongues got ready to tsk and more than a few people got ready to rail against the wayward Muslim youth of today.

But when the Alif Lam Meem fraternity was founded, the doubters (including myself) were proved wrong spectacularly. (Click here) It is early days yet but if the public statements and actions of the group are anything to go by, these guys are actually proudly Muslim, even using red kufis as a symbol of their group, having a $100 donation to charity as their initiation ritual and a strong involvement by scholars and activists from the start. Muslim youth successfully innovating on college campuses while remaining true to their Islamic principles? Now, there’s something you don’t hear about every day.

Turkey is Back

For centuries the leading light of the Muslim world was Turkey. It was the centre of cultural innovation, the first line of defense against external aggression and the seat of government. But when the end came, the collapse was spectacular and the backlash against Islam and all symbols that connected Turks to it was brutal. For the last 80+ years, the secular Turks did their best to disassociate themselves from the rest of the Ummah.

No longer. A change has taken place and this change is deep seated and (inshaAllah) irreversible. The pious majority of Turks have decided that they have had enough of isolating themselves from their brothers in faith. They want to feel comfortable in their own skin. They want their old brothers and sisters back.

In the last few years, we have seen Turks host refugees from Syria, send aid to Palestine and demonstrate against tyranny in Egypt – all of which would have been unimaginable just a decade ago. Welcome back our Turkish brothers and sisters. We missed you.

Muslims in the UK Are Most Charitable

A recent survey of the different faith groups in the UK revealed that Muslims are the most charitable segment of society. (Click here) This is despite the fact that Muslims are one of the least well off segments of society too. On average, each Muslim donated £371 ($500) a year to charity as compared to roughly £170 ($230) for every Christian (and even less for atheists.)

The research doesn’t take into account the huge amount of money that Muslims donate in charity that does not go through professional charities and is usually used to support people from their country of origin. If it did, it is likely that the figure would be many times that quoted.

While the Muslim community in the UK has a lot of areas that it needs to make improvements in (education, employment, crime rates, etc…) this is at least one statistic that we can all be proud of.

Islamic School is the Best in France

When the French decided that liberte, egalite, fraternite (Liberty, equality, fraternity) translated into not allowing Muslim girls to wear a hijab in schools, there was a storm of protests. One group of Muslim parents decided to start up their own private school where their kids weren’t made to feel like criminals due to their faith. On the opening day, the number of reporters outnumbered the students and staff.

Things have changed dramatically with the school being highly sought after. It is exemplary in many ways with parents taking a keen interest in the running of it. A few years later and this experiment is not only flourishing but, in a recent report, the “Lycée Averroès” in Lille topped the rankings! (Click here) What’s the French for “Suck it, Sarkozy?”

The tragedies of the Muslim world are huge and all encompassing, but they are not the whole story. Amidst the rubble and despair, the anguish and oppression, there is hope. And Allah knows that at times like these, we could do with a bit more of that.

Reddit10

10 Shares

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

Related Topics:charity hijab Muslim Muslim Female Muslim Fraternity Muslim School refugee Turkey uk muslims

Up Next

MuslimKidsMatter | How to Be a Super-Hero During the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Don't Miss

Allah Sees the Best In Us

Dr Muhammad Wajid Akhter

Dr. Muhammad Wajid Akhter - National Council Member, Muslim Council of Britain | mcb.org.uk - Lead, National Muslim Covid Response Group | covid@mcb.org.uk - Council Member, British Islamic Medical Association | britishima.org - Founder, Charity Week for Orphans and children in need | charityweek.com - Co-Founder, Islamic History Channel | islamichistorychannel.org - International Director, FIMA Lifesavers

22 Comments

Yasmeen

October 2, 2013 at 2:26 PM

Very true, good article

Reply
Read

October 3, 2013 at 5:24 AM

26:63. And the servants of ((Allah)) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!”

Reply
- Fatima Ariadne
  
  October 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM
  
  And they reply with actions, not just protests. And in the end, actions speak louder. :D
  
  Reply
  - O H
    
    October 20, 2013 at 4:23 AM
    
    Prophet (peace be upon him). said “A believer does not allow himself to be stung twice from one (and the same) hole.” [Bukhari]
    
    The believer tries to handle situations with justice, dignity and courage as we learn from the Seerah (biography) of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He (peace be upon him) was generally merciful and lenient but also strict & bold in situations which demanded so. This fine balance requires hikmah (wisdom) which Allaah grants only certain slaves.
    
    “He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” [Surah Baqarah]
    
    Reply
  - Dghg
    
    December 29, 2013 at 2:26 PM
    
    Very true I agree a lot
    
    Reply
Mahmud

October 3, 2013 at 2:28 PM

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

AWESOME article, nice to see a pic of Nouman Ali Khan(I think that’s him in Aleef Lam Meem) and the rest is pretty good too.

I don’t like the Abercrombie and Fitch thing, but that’s a minor point.

Alhamdulilah, I totally needed to hear this. May Allah accept it from you.

JazzakAllahu khair

Reply
- Hyde
  
  October 5, 2013 at 8:48 PM
  
  Yes good article, but A&F, come on ? Sorry, but nobody feels bad that a Muslim girl was fired from that store. Look at their catalog, their sales pitch, their audience and you really should not e suprised why you got fired from their. With all due respect I would have fired the girl from there too. There are other stores available.
  
  Reply
  - WAJiD
    
    October 6, 2013 at 6:24 AM
    
    Walaikum asalaam,
    
    JazakAllah khairun for your comments. About the Abercrombie and Fitch story, I think the issue at stake isn’t whether a Muslim should work there but whether anyone should be fired based on their faith… or indeed any factor that isn’t work related.
    
    Reply
    - Hyde
      
      October 7, 2013 at 11:31 PM
      
      Pretty sure if she was wearing a cross or a virginty ring, they would not fired her. But still the onus lies on her in this predicament. (Not be too terse, but would anybody feel sympathetic if a bearded *practising* Muslim complained about being thrown out of Hooters for making the other customers feel uncomfortable ?)
      
      Reply
  - Mahmud
    
    October 6, 2013 at 5:13 PM
    
    I agree with you about the Abercrombie and Fitch incident Hyde. What is wrong with one who does that??? Honestly, there are numerous other stores. Abercrombie and Fitch doesn’t even sell stuff I would call halal. I wouldn’t blame a bartender for firing a worker for wearing a hijab!
    
    Reply
Aryel Lanes

October 9, 2013 at 1:30 PM

People wouldn’t change their minds if there were no problems around. They kind of bring them around, and that’s why they’re not so bad at all. Maybe those problems just happened to teach people that everyone can overcome prejudices and stereotypes that, unfortunately, still exist. But “everything happens for a reason”. Who knows, in the near future, people will learn to REALLY respect each other…

Reply
Muslim

October 9, 2013 at 3:38 PM

Well another to you list, a muslim girl’s school in England has topped th league tables.

http://ams-uk.org/daily-mirror-muslim-school-tops-league-table/

Salaam aliekum.

Reply
azmathmoosa

October 9, 2013 at 9:08 PM

mashaallah!! truly this article made my day!!! I guess you should do a monthly series, where you dig deep and get only the good news about the ummah!

Reply
Hamiidah

October 10, 2013 at 5:03 AM

Lovely article. Made my heart swell. May Allah gladden the hearts of muslims the world over. Every little bit counts.

Reply
Ismail

October 11, 2013 at 12:32 AM

Mashaallah! Wonderful article. It just proves that if we Muslims set aside our petty little differences and work together, we WILL rise to the top.

Reply
Said Hasan

October 12, 2013 at 4:18 PM

I can learn from the Islamic french school incident:
1. Create my own system.
I don’t need to follow set of rules that is popular or social norm if it conflicts my big goal, purpose and Islamic principles.
2. I become great by starting small.
It may take time but eventially it pays off, I just need to enjoy the process.
For small good deeds accumulate to make me flourish!
3. Connect not just network with like mined person(s).
Just the willingness is enough.
Will is powerful than expertise.
4. Resort to the sunnah for guidance.
And I learn from the Auther:
5. Have spiritual and emotional solidarity with fellow Muslims worldwide.
6. Be hopeful and think positive.
Allah is Supportive protective Friend as long as I think that He will appreciate the good I do and aim to look good in His eyes rather than people’s eyes or my desires.
Then success would be mine both in my personal and professional life, and most importantly in the Hereafter.
May Allah help all those whole are struggling to shape their life in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and may He unite us in Firdaus Al’Alaa. Ameen.

Reply
- Mahmud
  
  October 12, 2013 at 4:34 PM
  
  Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
  
  The awesomeness of this comment…….subhanAllah.
  
  JazzakAllahu khair, may Allah accept it from you. This is something I should read again and again.
  
  Reply
Iqbalian

November 21, 2013 at 1:46 AM

This was a good article, Alhumdullilah. It seems that a Muslim is indeed in a perpetual state of depression. Seldom does anything good regarding the Islamic world is heard of, but nonetheless these 5 points are enough to take solace in. I would like to mention that you forgot something that might overshadow all these points and that is ‘Islamic Banking/Finance’. We are now witnessing an era where Islamic Banking/Finance is becoming quite the game changer. UK’s Cameron recently issues 2 million Sukuk bonds! That surely means a lot for Muslims!

Reply
Melanie

December 29, 2013 at 11:40 AM

SubhanAllah out of every negative story comes something positive. Negative stories about Muslims actually are the cause of people researching Islam and coming to accept Islam.

Reply
Pingback: 2013’s Head Turners and 2014’s Eyebrow Raisers | Points and Perspectives
Pingback: 5 Good News Stories from the Muslim World | I'm A Muslim and I'm Proud
Shawn

April 8, 2015 at 1:26 AM

I am not Muslim I am a regular White American man whom served for almost four years in Iraq. I saw a lot of good and bad in that time. It pains my heart to see the attacks on The people of Muslim faith day in and out. People assuming that these extremist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda represent the belief system of every Muslim man women and child. I have seen this hate first hand. The Islamic nation is not an monster or an enemy to the world. The actions of the few should not be blamed on all people of a single faith Muslim or otherwise. Tolerance and acceptance need to be the mantra of mankind. I saw awful things during the war. Some beautiful things as well that restored my faith in mankind. God doesn’t group us and love some more then others. Hate some of us more then others. He loves us all for we are his children. Yes he will judge us but it is not in the way man judges man. With hate and fear. Stay strong my Brothers and sisters of Islam. We may walk different paths and worship in different ways but we are all his children.

Reply