Workshop Shows ‘Tabling’ Dawah Techniques

Community News - Community News

Written by Mehreen Rasheed, Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Thursday, 06 May 2010 10:05

In a world with headscarf bans and cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), billboards or bus ads with messages like, “Islam: Get the facts” and “Islam: You deserve to know!” are unusual sights.But according to WhyIslam, an Islamic outreach group, that is just what the country needs.

WhyIslam held a workshop May 1, 2010 at the Islamic Community Center of Laurel in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to teach effective ways of dawah, or spreading and inviting others to the message of Islam. WhyIslam began in 2000 as a dawah project of the Islamic Circle of North American (ICNA), first established and headquartered in New Jersey, and quickly spread to chapters throughout the U.S.

They are best known for their large advertisements on billboards, subways and buses in about 30 cities nationwide, encouraging the curious to call their informational hotline 877-WHY-ISLAM.

“As a minority religion in this country that is often misrepresented, it is very important that our fellow Americans appreciate our beliefs,” said Afshaq Parkar, the WhyIslam volunteer from New Jersey who ran the May 1 workshop.

The day-long workshop trained attendees how to be informative and effective in conversations about Islam, particularly in a setting where they would be tabling or passing out literature in a public place. Parkar explained how to describe basic beliefs and answer tough questions, particularly those relating to current events, such as terrorism or women’s rights.

“Remember that you don’t need to be defensive, especially when it comes to things that Muslims do which Islam does not teach,” Parkar said. “You need to be calm when clearing up these misconceptions.”

Parkar also covered etiquettes and the ‘dos and don’ts’ of dawah, such as focusing on common ground or avoiding Arabic terminology. He also emphasized making a good impression in terms of appearance and assertiveness.

“If you’re standing in front of a dawah table or booth, you’re representing all Muslims to the general public,” Parkar said.

Sara Al-Kabir, a Howard Community College student, attended the workshop, but not with the intention of approaching people on the street.

“My friend is trying to become Muslim, so I came to the workshop for help,” she said. Sister Sara had given dawah to friends in the past, but never to strangers. However, she felt the workshop was beneficial.

Sister Najla, a teacher at the Community College of Baltimore County, has been giving dawah since she converted five years ago. However, she feels the “tabling and pamphlet approach” does not reach everyone.

“With tabling, you’re only going to get people that are looking for a religion,” she said. “I work better with interpersonal relationships, and not the ‘religion in your face’ attitude.” She said she takes an outgoing approach in explaining her religious differences to her friends, co-workers, and non-Muslim family by holding a fast-breaking picnic during Ramadan or giving gifts on Eid.

“Wearing hijab at work, a lot of people don’t know how to behave around you,” she said. “So once I took a group of office women into a room and took off my hijab and said, ‘Look, I’m a human being!’ And after that, they started treating me more normally.”

Parkar agreed that this informal sort of dawah was extremely effective. “Dawah by example” was very important. People you interact with need to know you as a good person, explained Parkar. However, many people in the U.S. have never met a Muslim and their only interaction with Islam would be from a dawah table or brochure handed to them.

“There is a need for both types of outreach, and the two are not mutually exclusive,” said Parkar. “These workshops provide an opportunity for people to discuss ideas and methods of giving dawah, but we need to appreciate that there are different styles of presenting Islam.”

WhyIslam provides core resources for people, and is supported by local communities, according to Pakar. While each may have their own style, the essence of inviting and educating others about Islam is there.

“As Muslims it’s part of our duty to spread Islam, if you’re a true believer you want to get out there and spread the message,” Sister Sara said. “And there’s so much reward, like if my friend converts, it would be amazing for her and it would be a huge accomplishment in my life, too.”