BUILDING STRONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS DESPITE THE CULTURE GAP – ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN

Source: muslimmatters.org

By: Belal Khan

To understanding culture properly, see it as a combination of what we deem important coupled with how we implement it.

For example, respect to parents is something that’s seen as important in both cultures. But, the way that respect is applied is different.

In American society, you’re develop bonds of friendship with respect. However, overseas respect comes with treating them with authority, almost like a formal relationship. But, that won’t necessarily breed respect in an American setting.

So, how do we bridge the cultural gap between parents and kids, especially when they grew up in two different worlds?

Looking back at my childhood, I’m greatful for the fact that I have a close relationship with my parents. I believe the age difference between my parents and I had something to do with it, considering that most of my friends’ parents were much older.

A lot of my friends also lacked the experience of being told stories about their childhood, their families, and their siblings.

IS WIKIPEDIA RELIABLE? ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN

Some people feel that Wikipedia isn’t trustworthy because it’s a platform on which you can go in and change information.

That’s true, but only to a degree.

Source: muslimmatters.org

The reality is that if you change information on Wikipedia and you don’t have any kind of history or you’re new to the game, understand that majority of these pages have gatekeepers.

These are people who are dedicated to the page and the content that’s on the page so if you make any changes they’ll be alerted of it and revert back the changes and flag you if you didn’t follow any one of the guidelines.

The real issue with Wikipedia is that it’s a reference index.

UNDERSTAND YOUR IDENTITY AND GAIN SELF CONFIDENCE: ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN (VIDEO)

Source: muslimmatters.org

By: Belal Khan

John Hopkins basketball coach was quoted saying,

“People often fail because they give up what they want most for what they want now.”

The challenge that a lot of us have, especially growing up in the US and the times we live in today where there’s a lot of connection and communication, is answer the question, “What’s the identity that we want to adapt?”

Knowing the answer will lead to self confidence needed to stand for something.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UNMOSQUED – ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN (VIDEO)

I read an interesting article recently by Mohamed Abdul-Azeez, the former head of the Salam Center in Sacramento on the “Crisis of Imams in America”

Source: muslimmatters.org

By: Belal Khan

Due to the way Muslim communities have been developed, the challenges they face are different from that of other faith communities.

Among the Christian community you find one of two types of models.

Model 1 – Corporate Franchise Clergy Structure

Model 2 – Local Visionary

The American Muslim community for the most part doesn’t follow any of these two models.

Typically you have a bunch of local folks that want to establish a place to pray. They come together, form a board, write out the policies, buy some real estate and make that a place to pray.

Then they realize they need to get an imam, and they end up hiring one of two types.