North America is witnessing a burgeoning of organizations promoting Islamic education and awareness. Foremost among these is AlMaghrib Institute, offering university-level double-weekend seminars to a growing student body of 7,000 in the United States and Canada.
Why the AlMaghrib phenomena? Perhaps state-of-the-art advertising, graphics, and 21st century vernacular add to its appeal. Or, maybe it's the way reverent material is delivered with a touch of...well... irreverence.
Muhammad Alshareef, the 31-year-old founder and director of AlMaghrib Institute, says that he gets mixed reviews for his avant-garde style even though he is careful not to deviate from basic Islamic teachings rooted in the Qur'an and Sunnah (practices and sayings of the Prophet, peace be upon him).
Students respect Alshareef's credentials (including memorization of the Qur'an and an Islamic Law degree from Saudi Arabia's Madinah University) and are drawn by his "hip" approach to boosting their ilm (knowledge) and iman (faith in God). Though some of the more traditional clerics may criticize Alshareef, young Muslims love him and today AlMaghrib Institute is offered in 16 cities spawning from Houston to Toronto to New York to Los Angeles. At a time when many in the West view Islam as a pariah AlMaghrib offers a shot in the arm to those who feel misunderstood, battered and beleaguered by the press and, worse, blamed for 9/11. "When you sign up for a seminar," explains Alshareef, "You become part of that city's qabeelah (tribe)." Furthermore, this tribe is connected to a huge network of other students across North America. As a result, students feel validated, vindicated and an increased commitment to their religion. Moreover, they are getting an Islamic education generic to the 7th century, which fosters a unity in message and purpose transcending their local mosque, city or culture of origin.
Another aspect of AlMaghrib's success is the symbiotic and consultative relationship it fosters in its student body. It is particularly reliant on young, idealistic and hardworking volunteers to galvanize enough Muslims in their communities to welcome the establishment of AlMaghrib in their respective cities, while organizing the calendar and securing venues to offer three or four double-weekend seminars a year. Each qabeelah is led by an ameer and ameera who enroll and involve as many people as possible of all ages and walks of life.
Further, this voluntary spirit extends to enrollment in the $165 seminars. Says Alshareef "Our students aren't attending classes because parents make them. They're saving their allowances; they're begging their parents 'Please can I go?' with an enjoyment and passion not found with the typical university student who attends classes as an unpleasant means to the end of getting a good job. Students studying to be doctors or engineers and taking AlMaghrib classes actually become better professionals because of their higher purpose. They are not motivated by money but by higher goals that will gain them the pleasure of Allah."
There is no doubt that AlMaghrib offers an education in fundamental Islam. Alshareef's demeanor, however, is anathema to stereotypes of the intolerant dogmatic cleric and he attributes this to "growing up laid back California style in Winnipeg, Canada." His response to allegations that the institute's teachings are too strict, too irreverent, or too inclusive is to diffuse all the hype and dissociate from any Muslim group. "Allah calls us Muslims and I have no allegiance to do anything other than that. People want to label me but they can't. We are Muslims without labels. "
It is also this overriding principle of doing good works in the hope of "gaining the pleasure of Allah" that generates contagious enthusiasm about AlMaghrib classes, which include: "The Light of Guidance: Fundamentals of Faith 101," "Route 114: Sciences of the Qur'an," and "Fiqh of Love: Marriage in Islam". Khalifa, the ameer of Durbah, describes "Rules of Engagement: The Islamic Code of Ethics" as a course that "generates positive energy encouraging us to elevate our consciousness and make the world better, rather than complain about what's wrong or unfair. The more good we do, the more we increase our iman and there is a huge ripple effect. I've seen this reflected in the student body with family, friends, neighbors, their masjids (mosques) and communities. We take what we learn in class and integrate it our daily living and, as a result, our relationships and everything we do - our knowledge, faith, spiritually, and effort to do good deeds - improves."
Asked to describe Alshareef, Khalifa responds: "The boss! He's young. He's a hafiz (one who has memorized the Qur'an) and has interacted with a lot of prominent scholars, but he doesn't consider himself a scholar. He is aware of not being a scholar. He is very confident: A successful leader with intense focus. He is immensely talented in motivating people to learn more about Islam and share the knowledge. Oh! And he loves to joke."
Says Alshareef: "I believe that Muslims really do want to learn about their religion and apply it better to their daily lives; and we will do our best to make this knowledge available to them. So long as any city can maintain the class, any city has the potential to host AlMaghrib seminars and we will be there Insha Allah (God willing)."
Just as Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom are next on the AlMaghrib horizon. For more information visit www.almaghrib.org or call 1-888-ALMAGHRIB.
- Susan Smith is a free-lance journalist based in New York City ([email protected])
